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	6
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, five 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
		UK [1] [2]	AUS [3]	CAN [4]	GER [5]	NZ [6]	SWE [7]	SWI [8]	US [9]
The Specials	Released: 19 October 1979 Label: 2 Tone Formats: LP, MC, 8-track	4	20	21	—	5	34	—	84	BPI: Gold [10]
More Specials	Released: 19 September 1980 Label: 2 Tone Formats: LP, MC, 8-track	5	86	49	—	28	30	—	98	BPI: Gold [10]
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, 2xCD, LP, 2xLP, digital download	1	—	—	20	—	—	—	—	BPI: Silver [10]
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 [11] Label: Trojan Formats: CD, LP

Live albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		UK [12]
Live at the Moonlight Club	Released: 30 March 1992 [13] Label: 2 Tone Formats: CD, LP, MC	—
Live – Too Much Too Young	Released: 6 April 1992 [14] Label: Receiver Formats: CD, LP, MC	—
BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert	Released: 21 December 1992 [15] 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: 2xCD, 2xLP	109
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Certifications
		UK [1]
Singles / The Singles Collection	Released: 29 January 1991 Label: 2 Tone Formats: CD, LP, MC	10	BPI: Gold [10]
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 [10]
Best of the Specials	Released: September 1996 Label: Disky Formats: CD	—
Concrete Jungle (as the Specials and Friends)	Released: March 1998 Label: Receiver Formats: 2xCD	—
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: 3xCD	—	BPI: Silver [10]
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 [10]
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

EPs

Title	EP details	Peak chart positions						Certifications
		UK [16]	UK Indie [17]	BEL (FLA) [18]	IRE [19]	NL [20]	NZ [21]
Too Much Too Young – The Special A.K.A. Live! [A]	Released: 18 January 1980 Label: 2 Tone Formats: 7", 12"	1	—	11	3	15	47	BPI: Silver [10]
The Peel Sessions	Released: February 1987 Label: Strange Fruit Formats: 12", MC	—	17	—	—	—	—
2 Tone EP [B]	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
		UK [1] [22]	AUS [3]	AUT [23]	BEL (FLA) [18]	IRE [19]	NL [20]	NOR [24]	NZ [21]	US Alt [25]	US Dance [26]
"Gangsters" [C]	1979	6	—	—	6	27	11	—	20	—	—	BPI: Silver [10]	Non-album single
"A Message to You Rudy" / "Nite Klub" [D]		10	29	7	24	19	35	—	29	—	—	BPI: Gold [10]	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" [E]		4	—	—	—	13	—	—	—	—	—	BPI: Silver [10]	More Specials Non-album track
"Sock It to Them J.B." [F]	1981	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		More Specials
"Concrete Jungle" (live) [G]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Dance Craze (soundtrack)
"Ghost Town"		1	68	—	15	3	12	7	20	—	—	BPI: Platinum [10]	Non-album singles
"The Boiler" [H]	1982	35	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Jungle Music" [I]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"War Crimes" [C]		84	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		In the Studio
"Racist Friend" / "Bright Lights" [C]	1983	60	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Free Nelson Mandela" / "Break Down the Door" [C]	1984	9	66	—	8	6	9	—	1	—	34
"What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend" [C]		51	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Free Nelson Mandela" (re-recording) [J]	1988	93	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Jamaica Ska" [K]	1993	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		King of Kings
"Coz I Luv You" [L]	1994	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Hypocrite" [M]	1995	66	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Today's Specials
"Pressure Drop" [M]	1996	100	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You" [N]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"It's You"	1998	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	29	—		Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!
"Bonediggin'" [O]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Sock It to Them J.B." (dub) / "Rat Race" (dub) [P]	2014	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"Vote for Me"	2018	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Encore
"10 Commandments" / "You're Wondering Now" (live) [Q] [P]	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

1. 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.
2. The 2 Tone EP is a various artists EP that features "Gangsters" as the first track.
3. Credited as the Special AKA.
4. Both sides credited as the Specials featuring Rico.
5. "Do Nothing" is credited as the Specials featuring Rico with the Ice Rink String Sounds.
6. "Sock It to Them J.B." was only released as a single in France.
7. "Concrete Jungle" was only released as a single in the Netherlands.
8. Credited as Rhoda with the Special AKA.
9. Credited as Rico and the Special AKA.
10. Credited as the Special AKA featuring Ndonda Khuze and Jonas Gwangwa.
11. Credited as Desmond Dekker and the Specials.
12. Credited as the X Specials.
13. Credited as the Specials featuring Kendell Smith and Sheena Staple.
14. "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" was only released as a single in the US.
15. "Bonediggin'" was only released as a promotional single in the US.
16. Record Store Day release.
17. "10 Commandments" features Saffiyah Khan, whilst "You're Wondering Now" is a live version from 2009 and features Amy Winehouse.

References

1. "Specials | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 519. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
3. 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.
4. "Search – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
5. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts – Offizielle Deutsche Charts". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
6. Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
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.
10. "British certifications – Specials". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 29 November 2024.Type Specials in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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.
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.
18. "Discografie The Specials – ultratop.be". ultratop.be. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
19. "The Irish Charts – All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
20. Hung, Steffen. "Dutch charts portal". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
21. Hung, Steffen. "New Zealand charts portal". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
22. "Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System of Life". zobbel.de. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
23. Hung, Steffen. "Austria Top 40 – Hitparade Österreich". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
24. Hung, Steffen. "Norwegian charts portal". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
25. "The Specials – Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
26. "The Specials – Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 13 November 2022.