The Specials discography

The Specials discography
The Specials discography
	The Specials performing live at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, IL in 2013
Studio albums	9
EPs	5
Live albums	7
Compilation albums	10
Singles	25
Video albums	5
Collaboration album	1

English ska revival band the Specials have released a diverse discography since their debut in 1979, including: nine studio albums, one collaboration album, seven live albums, eleven compilation albums, four extended plays, twenty-three singles, and filmed five videos.

Their debut album "The Specials" (1979) and "More Specials" (1980) both achieved Gold status, while their 2019 album "Encore" hit number 1 on the UK chart. The band collaborated with Desmond Dekker on the album "King of Kings" (1993). Their work spans various formats and has seen chart success in multiple countries.

Albums

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions								Certifications
Title	Album details	UK	AUS	CAN	GER	NZ	SWE	SWI	US	Certifications
The Specials	Released: 19 October 1979 Label: 2 Tone Formats: LP, MC, 8-track	4	20	21	—	5	34	—	84	BPI: Gold
More Specials	Released: 19 September 1980 Label: 2 Tone Formats: LP, MC, 8-track	5	86	49	—	28	30	—	98	BPI: Gold
In the Studio (as the Special AKA)	Released: 15 June 1984 Label: 2 Tone Formats: CD, LP, MC	34	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Today's Specials	Released: 15 April 1996 Label: Kuff/Virgin Formats: CD, MC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!	Released: 24 March 1998 Label: MCA Formats: CD, LP, MC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Skinhead Girl	Released: 17 October 2000 Label: Receiver Formats: CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Conquering Ruler	Released: 13 February 2001 Label: Receiver Formats: CD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Encore	Released: 1 February 2019 Label: Island Formats: CD, 2×CD, LP, 2×LP, digital download	1	—	—	20	—	—	—	—	BPI: Silver
Protest Songs 1924–2012	Released: 1 October 2021 Label: Island Formats: CD, LP, MC, digital download	2	—	—	47	—	—	85	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Collaboration albums

Title	Album details
King of Kings (with Desmond Dekker)	Released: 8 November 1993 Label: Trojan Formats: CD, LP

Live albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
Title	Album details	UK
Live at the Moonlight Club	Released: 30 March 1992 Label: 2 Tone Formats: CD, LP, MC	—
Live – Too Much Too Young	Released: 6 April 1992 Label: Receiver Formats: CD, LP, MC	—
BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert	Released: 21 December 1992 Label: Windsong International Formats: CD Split album with the Selecter	—
Blue Plate Specials Live	Released: 23 February 1999 Label: Big Ear Music Formats: CD	—
Ghost Town Live	Released: September 1999 Label: Receiver Formats: CD	—
More... Or Less: The Specials Live	Released: 6 August 2012 Label: Chrysalis Formats: 2×CD, 2×LP	109
Live from the Cathedral	Released: 10 July 2026 Label: Island Formats: 6×CD, 3×LP	30
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Certifications
Title	Album details	UK	Certifications
Singles / The Singles Collection	Released: 29 January 1991 Label: 2 Tone Formats: CD, LP, MC	10	BPI: Gold
Dawning of a New Era (as the Coventry Automatics aka the Specials)	Released: March 1994 Label: Receiver Formats: CD, LP	—
Too Much Too Young: The Gold Collection	Released: 13 May 1996 Label: EMI Gold Formats: CD, MC	—	BPI: Gold
Best of the Specials	Released: September 1996 Label: Disky Formats: CD	—
Concrete Jungle (as the Specials and Friends)	Released: March 1998 Label: Receiver Formats: 2×CD	—
BBC Sessions	Released: 26 October 1998 Label: EMI Formats: CD	—
A Special Collection	Released: October 1999 Label: EMI Formats: CD	—
Stereo-Typical: A's, B's and Rarities	Released: 28 August 2000 Label: EMI Formats: 3×CD	—	BPI: Silver
Archive	Released: 26 March 2001 Label: Rialto Formats: CD	—
The Best of The Specials	Released: 31 March 2008 Label: Rhino Formats: CD+DVD	24	BPI: Gold
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

EPs

Title	EP details	Peak chart positions						Certifications
Title	EP details	UK	UK Indie	BEL (FLA)	IRE	NL	NZ	Certifications
Too Much Too Young – The Special A.K.A. Live!	Released: 18 January 1980 Label: 2 Tone Formats: 7", 12"	1	—	11	3	15	47	BPI: Silver
The Peel Sessions	Released: February 1987 Label: Strange Fruit Formats: 12", MC	—	17	—	—	—	—
2 Tone EP	Released: 27 September 1993 Label: 2 Tone Formats: 7", CD, MC	30	—	—	—	—	—
Too Much Too Young – The Specials E.P. Live!	Released: 21 April 2012 Label: 2 Tone Formats: 7" Live re-recording of original 1980 EP	—	—	—	—	—	—
Dub Mixes Exclusive	Released: 24 October 2020 Label: 2 Tone Formats: 10" Record Store Day release	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
Title	Year	UK	AUS	AUT	BEL (FLA)	IRE	NL	NOR	NZ	US Alt	US Dance	Certifications	Album
"Gangsters"	1979	6	—	—	6	27	11	—	20	—	—	BPI: Silver	Non-album single
"A Message to You Rudy" / "Nite Klub"	1979	10	29	7	24	19	35	—	29	—	—	BPI: Platinum	The Specials
"Rat Race" / "Rude Buoys Outa Jail"	1980	5	—	—	—	17	—	—	—	—	89		Non-album single
"Stereotype" / "International Jet Set"		6	—	—	—	12	41	—	—	—	—		More Specials
"Do Nothing" / "Maggie's Farm"		4	—	—	—	13	—	—	—	—	—	BPI: Silver	More Specials Non-album track
"Sock It to Them J.B."	1981	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		More Specials
"Concrete Jungle" (live)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Dance Craze (soundtrack)
"Ghost Town"		1	68	—	15	3	12	7	20	—	—	BPI: Platinum	Non-album singles
"The Boiler"	1982	35	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Jungle Music"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"War Crimes"		84	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		In the Studio
"Racist Friend" / "Bright Lights"	1983	60	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Free Nelson Mandela" / "Break Down the Door"	1984	9	66	—	8	6	9	—	1	—	34
"What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend"	1984	51	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Free Nelson Mandela" (re-recording)	1988	93	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Jamaica Ska"	1993	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		King of Kings
"Coz I Luv You"	1994	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Hypocrite"	1995	66	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Today's Specials
"Pressure Drop"	1996	100	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You"	1996	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"It's You"	1998	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	29	—		Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!
"Bonediggin'"	1998	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!
"Sock It to Them J.B." (dub) / "Rat Race" (dub)	2014	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Vote for Me"	2018	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Encore
"10 Commandments" / "You're Wondering Now" (live)	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Encore Non-album track
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation contributions

Title	Release date	Label
The Specials vs. The Untouchables: Ska's Greatest Stars	2002	Big Eye Music
80's New Wave Hits – Rearrangement of The Go-Go's' "Our Lips Are Sealed", with Jane Wiedlin, originally on The Specials vs The Untouchables: Ska's Greatest Stars	2006	Big Eye Music

Videography

"Dance Craze – The Best of British Ska... Live!" (VHS)
"The Special AKA on Film" (1981 VHS & Laserdisc)
"The Specials: Too Much, Too Young" (2008 DVD)
"The Best of the Specials" (CD/DVD 2008)
"The Specials – 30th Anniversary Tour" (2009 DVD)

Films

Sixteen Candles (1984) – song – "Little Bitch"
Natural Born Killers (1994) – song – "Ghost Town" (not included on the soundtrack album)
Multiplicity (1996) – song – "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You"
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) – songs – "Pressure Drop", "A Message to You, Rudy" and "You're Wondering Now"
SLC Punk! (1998) – songs – "Too Hot" and "Gangsters"
200 Cigarettes (1999) – song – "A Message to You, Rudy"
Mystery Men (1999) – song – "Gangsters" (covered by Citizen King)
A Room for Romeo Brass (1999) – song – "A Message to You, Rudy"
An Extremely Goofy Movie (2000) – song – "Pressure Drop"
Snatch (2000) – song – "Ghost Town"
Garage Days (2002) – song – "Ghost Town"
Shaun of the Dead (2004) – song – "Ghost Town"
This Is England (2006) – songs – "Do the Dog", "Pressure Drop"
We Own The Night (2007) – song – "A Message to You, Rudy"
Vivarium (2019) – song – "A Message to You, Rudy"

Television

Father Ted – Episode – Think Fast, Father Ted – song – "Ghost Town"
Six Feet Under – song – "Monkey Man"
Misfits (TV series) – song – "A Message to You Rudy"

Commercials

The song "A Message to You, Rudy" was featured in a SFR television commercial directed by Bruno Aveillan, with world champion football player, Marcel Desailly in 2001
The song "Blank Expression" was featured in a Ford Fiesta television commercial in 2003

Video games

Dance Dance Revolution – song – "Little Bitch" (remix)
MLB 2K7 – Song – "A Message To You, Rudy"
Skate 2 – Song – "Ghost Town"

Notes

↑ This EP is credited as the Special AKA featuring Rico. In some countries, such as France and Germany, the EP was instead released as a 7-inch single consisting of "Too Much Too Young" as the A-side and "Guns of Navarone" as the B-side.
↑ The 2 Tone EP is a various artists EP that features "Gangsters" as the first track.
1 2 3 4 5 Credited as the Special AKA.
↑ Both sides credited as the Specials featuring Rico.
↑ "Do Nothing" is credited as the Specials featuring Rico with the Ice Rink String Sounds.
↑ "Sock It to Them J.B." was only released as a single in France.
↑ "Concrete Jungle" was only released as a single in the Netherlands.
↑ Credited as Rhoda with the Special AKA.
↑ Credited as Rico and the Special AKA.
↑ Credited as the Special AKA featuring Ndonda Khuze and Jonas Gwangwa.
↑ Credited as Desmond Dekker and the Specials.
↑ Credited as the X Specials.
1 2 Credited as the Specials featuring Kendell Smith and Sheena Staple.
↑ "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" was only released as a single in the US.
↑ "Bonediggin'" was only released as a promotional single in the US.
1 2 Record Store Day release.
↑ "10 Commandments" features Saffiyah Khan, whilst "You're Wondering Now" is a live version from 2009 and features Amy Winehouse.

References

1 2 3 4 "Specials | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 519. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 286. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
↑ "Search – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Offizielle Deutsche Charts". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
↑ Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
↑ Hung, Steffen. "Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
↑ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade – hitparade.ch". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
↑ "The Specials – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "British certifications – Specials". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 March 2026. Type Specials in the "Search:" field.
↑ "King of Kings" (PDF). Music Week. 30 October 1993. p. 7. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
↑ "Chart Log UK – 2012 + Weekly Updates + Sales 2012". zobbel.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
↑ "New Releases". Music Week. 28 March 1992. p. 12.
↑ "New Releases". Music Week. 4 April 1992. p. 8.
↑ "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 19 December 1992. p. 21. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
↑ "swedishcharts.com – Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
↑ Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1989. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
1 2 "Discografie The Specials – ultratop.be". ultratop.be. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
1 2 "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Dutch charts portal". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
1 2 Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
↑ "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System of Life". zobbel.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
↑ Hung, Steffen. "Austria Top 40 – Hitparade Österreich". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
↑ Hung, Steffen. "Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
↑ "The Specials – Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
↑ "The Specials – Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[22] This EP is credited as the Special AKA featuring Rico. In some countries, such as France and Germany, the EP was instead released as a 7-inch single consisting of "Too Much Too Young" as the A-side and "Guns of Navarone" as the B-side.

[23] The 2 Tone EP is a various artists EP that features "Gangsters" as the first track.

[SpecialAKA-29] 1 2 3 4 5 Credited as the Special AKA.

[30] Both sides credited as the Specials featuring Rico.

[31] "Do Nothing" is credited as the Specials featuring Rico with the Ice Rink String Sounds.

[32] "Sock It to Them J.B." was only released as a single in France.

[33] "Concrete Jungle" was only released as a single in the Netherlands.

[34] Credited as Rhoda with the Special AKA.

[35] Credited as Rico and the Special AKA.

[36] Credited as the Special AKA featuring Ndonda Khuze and Jonas Gwangwa.

[37] Credited as Desmond Dekker and the Specials.

[38] Credited as the X Specials.

[KSSS-39] 1 2 Credited as the Specials featuring Kendell Smith and Sheena Staple.

[40] "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" was only released as a single in the US.

[41] "Bonediggin'" was only released as a promotional single in the US.

[RSD-42] 1 2 Record Store Day release.

[43] "10 Commandments" features Saffiyah Khan, whilst "You're Wondering Now" is a live version from 2009 and features Amy Winehouse.

[:0-1] 1 2 3 4 "Specials | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 July 2026.

[British_Hit_Singles_&_Albums-2] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 519. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

[aus-3] 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 286. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[Cacharts-4] "Search – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 March 2013.

[:2-5] "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Offizielle Deutsche Charts". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[NZ_a-6] Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.

[Sweden-7] Hung, Steffen. "Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.

[8] "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade – hitparade.ch". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[9] "The Specials – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[BPI-10] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "British certifications – Specials". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 March 2026. Type Specials in the "Search:" field.

[11] "King of Kings" (PDF). Music Week. 30 October 1993. p. 7. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

[12] "Chart Log UK – 2012 + Weekly Updates + Sales 2012". zobbel.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[13] "New Releases". Music Week. 28 March 1992. p. 12.

[14] "New Releases". Music Week. 4 April 1992. p. 8.

[15] "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 19 December 1992. p. 21. Retrieved 2 November 2025.

[:3-16] "swedishcharts.com – Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 25 April 2021.

[17] Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980–1989. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.

[:1-18] 1 2 "Discografie The Specials – ultratop.be". ultratop.be. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[:4-19] 1 2 "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[MegaCharts-20] 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Dutch charts portal". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 17 October 2013.

[NZ_s-21] 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.

[24] "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System of Life". zobbel.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[Austria-25] Hung, Steffen. "Austria Top 40 – Hitparade Österreich". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 17 October 2013.

[NOR-26] Hung, Steffen. "Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.

[27] "The Specials – Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

[28] "The Specials – Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

v t e The Specials
Lynval Golding Horace Panter Tim Smart Drew Stansall Nikolaj Torp Larsen Steve Cradock Pablo Mandleson Terry Hall Jerry Dammers Silverton Hutchinson Tim Strickland Roddy Radiation Neville Staple John Bradbury Dick Cuthell Rico Rodriguez Rhoda Dakar John Shipley Satch Dickson Groco Anthony Wymshurst Stan Campbell Edgio Newton Nick Parker Gary McManus Jon Read Adam Birch Mark Adams Aitch Bembridge
Studio albums	The Specials More Specials In the Studio Today's Specials Guilty 'til Proved Innocent! Skinhead Girl Conquering Ruler Encore Protest Songs 1924–2012
Live albums	Blue Plate Specials Live Ghost Town Live
Compilation albums	The Singles Collection Dawning of a New Era Too Much Too Young: The Gold Collection Best of the Specials BBC Sessions Stereo-Typical: A's, B's and Rarities Archive Greatest Hits The Best of The Specials
Extended plays	Too Much Too Young
Singles	"Gangsters" "A Message to You Rudy" "Rat Race" "Stereotype" "Do Nothing" "Ghost Town" "The Boiler" "Free Nelson Mandela"
Related	Discography 2 Tone Records The Best of The Specials & Fun Boy Three Dance Craze The Very Best of The Specials and Fun Boy Three