10 Ultimate Ska Anthems
6. The Specials – “Rat Race”
Written by The Specials’ guitarist Roddy Radiation in 1980, and released on the band’s own 2 Tone Records label, founded by keyboardist and songwriter Jerry Dammers, “Rat Race” provides a scathing commentary on cultural elitism within universities, and the humdrum of everyday working life awaiting graduates.
The song’s spooky plucked piano intro and tropical bongos, combined with a lively, rockabilly-leaning lead guitar, along with Terry Hall’s nasal-punk vocals, provides a crowd-pleasing blend of ska’s pop sensibilities with rock’s anti-establishment edge.
2 Tone Records were crucial to the rise of the British ska revival, having helped cultivate a distinctive sound by signing such influential bands as Madness, The Beat and The Selecter.
The label’s classic black and white colour scheme and logo, featuring the mod clothed character Walt Jabsco (who was a caricature of Jamaican musician Peter Tosh), stood for racial unity in a time of political uncertainty, and inadvertently had a major influence on ska style, with sharp suits, pork pie hats, and checkerboard patterns becoming synonymous with the genre.
As with other 2 Tone bands, The Specials were keen to comment on social and political inequalities, their songs frequently tackling the subjects of racism, unemployment and class privilege. “Rat Race” is true to this spirit – pointing the finger just as much at themselves, as the rest of society’s privileged few.