Ghost Town/Why?/Friday Night, Saturday Morning

'''Ghost Town / Why? / Friday Night, Saturday Morning''' was a double A side single, comprising the three titular songs, recorded by British groups The Specials and released on 12 June 1981.

The single reached no.1 in the UK on 07 July and remained at the top of the charts for three consecutive weeks.

Tracklisting

 * 7", 2 Tone records CHS TT 17


 * 'A' Side One: Ghost Town
 * 'A' Side Two: Why?, Friday Night Saturday Morning


 * 12", 2 Tone records CHS TT1217


 * tracklisting as above although Ghost Town is an 'Extended Version', as stated on the sleeve. Why? is also longer than the 7" version, although this is not sdtated in the labelling. The rear sleeve and labels bear timings for all three tracks: Ghost Town 6:02, Why? 3.55, Friday Night Saturday Morning 3:32.

Ghost Town
Written by band member Jerry Dammers, the lead track is considered a major piece of popular social commentary, addressing themes of urban decay, deindustrialisation, unemployment and violence in inner cities at the time. All three of the major UK music magazines of the time awarded "Ghost Town" the accolade of "Single of the Year" for 1981.

As 'lead track', Ghost Town was featured on radio and TV at the time. The song was featured on Top of the Pops as follows:


 * 18 June 1981 (21) - video
 * 02 July 1981 (2) - studio performance
 * 09 July 1981 (1) - studio performance, TOTP 900th edition
 * 16 July 1981 (1) - video (over closing credits)
 * 23 July 1981 (1) - studio performance rpt.
 * 31 December 1981 (end of year ed.) - repeat of 02/07/81 performance
 * 08 January 2016 - The Story of 1981 / Big Hits 1981

Why?
Why was written by band member by guitarist Lynval Golding in response to a violent racist attack he had suffered in July 1980.

Friday Night, Saturday Morning
The third track was written by lead singer Terry Hall and describes a mundane night out in the group's native Coventry.

Re-releases
The single was re-released on its 10th anniversary in 1991, and in 2021, its 40th.

Ghost Town Revisited (1991)

 * 7" 2 Tone Records CHS TT 30

A The Specials - Ghost Town (3:38)

B Special Productions - Ghost Dub '91 (4:18)


 * 12" 2 Tone records CHS TT 12 30

A1 The Specials - Ghost Town (6:00)

A2 The Specials - Why? (2:59)

B1 Special Productions - Ghost Dub '91 (6:34)

B2 Special Productions - Version (4:25)

Ghost Town (2021 remaster)
rel. 04 June 2021


 * 7" 45 rpm, half-speed remastered limited edition, 2 Tone CHS TTH 17


 * Ghost Town / Why? / Friday Night, Saturday Morning


 * 12" 45 rpm, half-speed remastered limited edition, 2 Tone CHS TTH 1217


 * Ghost Town (Extended version) / Why? / Friday Night, Saturday Morning


 * Digital edition:


 * Ghost Town (Extended version) / Why? (Extended version) / Friday Night, Saturday Morning / Ghost Town (Single version)