The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
This town is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place is coming like a ghost town
Bands won't play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang and the music played in natty-boom town
This town is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against itself?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can't go on no more
The people getting angry
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place is coming like a ghost town
Bands won't play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang and the music played in natty-boom town
This town is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against itself?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can't go on no more
The people getting angry
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
Lyrics submitted by BeautifulDisaster
Ghost Town Lyrics as written by Jerry Dammers
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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What? No comments?!? This is the song that knocked Michael Jackson off the UK number one spot in 1981 (And stayed there for two or three weeks!). Fantastic song relating to both the state of the 2-tone scene, and the state of politics in the UK at the time.
Though the band were from Coventry Jerry Dammers has said that the song was actually inspired by seeing the state of decay of other cities like Liverpool when they were in tour. Whatever, it perfectly catches the decay and neglect of Britain's inner cities in Thatcher's Britain that would see them errupt into riot just as the song was released.
Yes. All the unrest and urban decay and resulting riots WAS all Maggie's fault.<br /> <br /> Also Reagan's fault. Oh yes - Bush too. I'm so glad I'm not conservative.<br /> <br />
History repeats itself under the Tories once again - mass unemployment amongst the young with little hope of escaping poverty for a decent life - demonised, miunderstood and misrepresented by the media.
It's like little has changed in 30 years - even the great songs like this remain.
Althought the band are from Coventry (As am i) they are telling the story of the entire UK "no job to be ofund in this country" the booming car industry was falling into disrepair, unemployment was up to nearly a 1/5 of the population. So it wasn't just about coventry.
it
s funny but its gone full circle and todays society is getting like it..i know theres no rioting but it could speak about any inner city and gorden browns government leaving the youth on the shelf!!!!!!!!no wonder theyre so popular again,they speak up for the downtroddenThatcher's Britain, urban decay and rioting.
I great song of immense urban frustration.
Also, we should add that is brilliantly kicks off one of the best movies of today "Shaun of The Dead"
Last single featuring the original line-up. Dammit! The Specials could have been truly massive.
They WERE and always SHALL BE massive !<br /> <br /> connecthook.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/specials-skank-it-up-with-dead-girl/
Absoloutly excellent piece of social commentry for its time, and a damned fine piece of music too.
Stuck this on tonight cos the town does feel like a ghost town - pubs and clubs have shut down and no-one has a job - exactly like the Eighties.