The Specials vs Stiff Little Fingers - It Doesn't Make It Alright Comparison (And Reaction)

[@sirslice7531]

RIP Terry...the voice of The Specials.

[@DMCDObidon]

As much as I love the Specials I have to go with SLF, it's bettter paced and sounds brilliant live.

[@earsofdumbo]

Stiff little fingers are gods amongst men, absolutely phenomenal live too.

[@rpatel9901]

yup SLF are still awsome live, i catch them every year and they still rock

[@RichardSmith-ew3xz]

When I was teenager I was obsessed with SLF. The ending of DMIA and the ending of Tin Soldiers are the greatest song endings ever.

[@mightyV444]

I like both versions, but _today_ I prefer the Stiff Little Fingers' one, as I'm more in the mood for faster Music 😁

[@gverlies]

This one’s very hard. It really depends on the mood I’m in at the moment I listen. Love them both!

[@gverlies]

But the first time I heard SLF-version when the album was released, I was literally blown away. But now I’m ‘a little bit’ older, it depends on the mood I’m in. But thx for the comparison!

[@davidgelson2603]

SLF all day long for me....faster, edgier and obviously punked right up. Seen them dozens of times and looking forward to them playing Newcastle again in March! Speaking of NE England would love to see yous compare and contrast We Gotta Get Out Of This Place original version by The Animals and my hometown punk band The Angelic Upstarts ( RIP Mensi )

[@joelamont6870]

SLF version is way better ,but I’m biased as there my favourite band,.Even Jerry Dammers who wrote it says SLF version was better ,so who am I too argue👍🏻 Ps keep up the good work very eclectic mix of music…

[@Thompsdan]

Love both. I think the SLF has a bit more bite however. RIP Terry Hall.

[@JP-nb7tm]

If you ever saw SLF play that live, the crowd went nuts at the end. brilliant. Great memories.

[@geozeo710]

SLF - that bass line

[@timpadfield7839]

love both but its SLF that my favourite

[@davidellis5141]

I go with the original by The Specials as that first album by them is an all time favorite of mine. Solid Production by Elvis Costello. Nothing but respect for Stiff Little Fingers who did a nice cover of Johnny Was a Bob Marley song.

[@heathcornbeef]

Johnny Was their version is so bloody good

[@kodi1969]

Oh yes Johnny was...excellent and the guitar in the slf version.... Just amazing it gives it so much atmosphere

[@stugtrauts3692]

What an interesting reaction your doing, specials v SLF, SLF every time they blow almost every other band out of the water live , if your into SLF they are such an underrated Punk band, I was at their farewell concert in 1983 Newcastle , thank god they are still here

[@heathcornbeef]

SLF are my number 2 after THE CLASH and when i saw them for the first of three times in 2007 when Jake Burns started talking about a man who gave him the inspiration to get up on stage and his love of that Man Joe Strummer and broke into his tribute to Joe STRUMMERVILLE it brought tears to my eyes and still does Clash Clash Clash city rocker ain't going to play Strummerville again Clash Clash Clash city rocker

[@PaddyByrne931]

Just saw them live on the 18 in Dublin Ireland, they were top notch, still brilliant live, roll on next year ✌️✌️🔥🔥🔥

[@harry.godwinson1]

we were in the same place at the same time-feb 83 newcastle city hall and the barrowlands. bloody cold nights. all the best

[@heathcornbeef]

Cynthia when SLF stepped on the gas pedal you instantly had a big smile and started bobbing your head 🤘✌️👍👏👏👏

[@skiordie65]

I'm SLF all day long - first band I saw live as a kid and hearing this still gives me goosebumps BUT the song is the winner here and I love the mutual respect shown in the comments for both bands!

[@herrglad9726]

SLF for me, more edge, more anger, more feeling. Love both versions though. And the bands were friends....

[@Spendomaniac]

I've always preferred SLF's version myself.

[@tonywood8755]

Love the Specials but the SLF version wins hands down. Perfect punk reggae

[@RichardWHardwick]

I love both these bands and both these songs, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick SLF because they were the band of my childhood. I also love your videos, thank you ...

[@HappyAitch]

Yes, exactly the same for me

[@heathcornbeef]

Jake Burns puts so much emotion into SLFs version it gives me goosebumps. Number two band for me after THE CLASH!..... THE CLASH SLF BAD BRAINS THE RAMONES MINOR THREAT FUGAZI ISRAEL VIBRATION BLACK FLAG STICKY FILTH UK SUB'S SUB HUMANS THE BUZZCOCKS THE SPECIALS MADDNESS TOOT'S AND THE MAYTALS WILLIE NELSON ( I'll tear shreds off anyone who gives WILLIE NELSON a hard time MUSICLY or POLITICLY) ANTI NOWHERE LEAGUE BAD RELIGION AND ON AND ON AND ON YOU GET THE IDEA 💡

[@johndoyle2397]

Slf absolutely

[@ghichens3418]

Yep ! Prefer the "Stiiff Little Fingers " version ! Ace !!

[@PaddyByrne931]

Just saw them live again for about the 40th time 😅 on the 18th of August in Dublin Ireland and they still bring all energy, can't wait to see them next year ✌️✌️🔥❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥 still burning still on 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@CrazyRamUK]

Was in Belfast the night after :). Live, this track is awesome.

[@johnmaughan7508]

tickets on sale Friday for Newcastle ill be there again for about the same amount! Terrified of the day they stop!

[@PaddyByrne931]

​@@CrazyRamUKI hope to see them in Belfast,I saw them in the barrowlands about 22 years ago

[@Fractalite]

To some extent its hard to compare . They are completely different treatments and work for different moods . And when the Specials released it was almost a quiet observational track , , whereas SLF play on the songs notoriety and turn it into a punk anthem .

[@ShaunBauidhNoBas]

It was actually written by Jerry Dammers & Dave Goldberg. Jerry Dammers, now aged 69, is actually the founder of 2Tone records. The SKA sound of 2Tone is instantly reconisable not only by sound but by the litral 2Tone black n white cheques on records & fashion. To this day its still popular especially on clothing. Id love to see you cover more 2Tone SKA however in this case its gotta be SLF and not the originol that takes first prize.

[@timpadfield7839]

try this for a comparison Barry Ryan vs The Damned doing Eloise.....

[@philipjones7372]

Classic upon classic

[@deuceb8472]

Both great bands but always loved the SLF version as I'm more of a punk than a reggae guy and love the way they jam it out at the end.

[@PhilipWalker-c5z]

One of the best live bands on the planet at present. You need to see them, they're touring the USA this year. Go see for yourself.

[@hanierfamily]

That would mean crossing the border. We couldn't afford to do that.

[@PhilipWalker-c5z]

@hanierfamily pity, the special thing about SLF coming from Belfast Northern Ireland is that they return to Belfast every year to play. You can always watch them on KZbin.

[@jespernrgaardlarsen6467]

SLF, what a band. Converting from heavy rock to punk rock by adding that extra dimension which prolonged punk rock long after being doomed dead by making room for skilled musicians. On top of that, SLF didn't 'just' make a long list of great original songs, they also mastered covers like hardly any other act (well, that's how they started out), and if you dig into their original four albums, they always made room for a cover song, and they are all top-notch new arranged songs - transformed into SLF-territory and challenging the originals. As much as I love The Specials, SLF just adds a little more spice to an already classic and downright owns this one.

[@colrhodes377]

This is such a great feature. For me, it's Stiff little fingers, because it has far more edge and drive. I would love to see you do the song, Be my friend, by Free and then by Paul Rodgers and Joe Bonamassa. Both versions are awesome

[@heathcornbeef]

I've seen SLF 3 time's and The Specials twice 👏👏👏👍 MUSIC IS OXYGEN I NEED IT TO LIVE

[@thebograt6810]

I remember Jake Burns on stage talking about someone who told him he thought The Specials had done a good job covering his song 🤣🤣🤣

[@KillerBl8]

Oh good grief, stop doing this to me. How am I supposed to choose between the Specials and Stiff Little Fingers? Terry Hall's laconic delivery vs Jake Burns anger? Horace Panter's groove vs Ali McMordie's dynamics? Great point about two fantastic bassists, BTW. Right, I am a Coventry kid and actually bumped into The Specials and Selector a lot, whilst mooching about town at the time of Two Tone - hell, John Bradbury worked in Virgin Records. And Jerry Dammers wrote it, so... ah no, it's Stiff Little Fingers, I just prefer it!

[@stevebolt7132]

If you take the album sleeve and look at it almost flat it makes such a difference 😊

[@groovygregsmith]

Beloved Jake Burns and his Stiff Little Fingers are still freely available to view in public.

[@pepelemoko2820]

Oh Haniers, you sly foxes. The torture of choosing one and feeling guilty about the other when you love both bands. However, I'll take the guilt this time and go for Jake and the band SLF.

[@1fitchy]

Was a punk and was a skin. Love both versions of this song, but Jake and the boys edges it for me. I still skank to ska, and pogo to punk. . . . To a degree. I'm 61 now and going to see SLF in Manchester next year.. . . . . . An ageing Tin Soldier.

[@darrylhinko5568]

First let me say just found the channel and I am loving it, great to see people still enjoying SKA. Now your review of this is madness, utter madness, no one does it better than The Specials. Just my opinion. HAHA I also noticed you mostly do 2Tone, you should really check out some third wave like anything by The Scofflaws, saw them over 100 times easy, The Toaster were phenomenal, Checkered Cabs, Let's Go Bowling, Dancehall Crashers, the list goes on. Sorry for the long post, but as a bass player it was nice to see both getting some love from you guys, we often are the forgotten member, Horace is still with The Specials. Anyway thanks for the memories, if you want any suggestions feel free to ask. Always love turning people onto great SKA

[@jerrybailey5797]

I've not heard tye specials version before , not bad , but Stiff Little Fingers version packs more of a punch , so thats the version l prefer .... Another great song from Stiff Little Fingers on this Album is Tin Soldiers , one of my favourites

[@alfiesred777]

I have loved SLF for over 30 years and seen them countless times but I have to side with the Specials on this. Being a rude boy back in 1979 growing up in Coventry, seeing them over 10 times, the hometown of the Specials it was a very special time. No pun intended.

[@seandrew7837]

Got ‘Nobody’s Heroes’ for my 16th Birthday in March 1980. SLF were my favourite band at the time. Jake Burns is the boy.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

Saw SLF in Liverpool on that tour at age17… absolutely game-changing for me and my mates at the time. Ironically I went to get Nobody’s Heroes at a Liverpool record shop but when I got home I found they had given me the similar looking Specials album instead and I had to take it back the next saturday and change it !

[@seandrew7837]

@@johnmoruzzi7236 you done too much, much too young 🤷

[@groovygregsmith]

One of my faves glad you liked both of them. x from London Pilgrims.

[@karmannghiaman1041]

Stiff Little Fingers for me, racism should make you angry and Jake brims with it!

[@andycundall6017]

Both fantastic bands, but SLF wins hands down.

[@erikbrantly4015]

SLF was my favorite band in high school, but I have to say The Specials did a great job, as well. My vote... Fingers. Oh, and by the way, all of their covers are done respectfully. Another thing I've always loved about that band.

[@spook5.56nato4]

I’m gonna go with Stiff Little Fingers. IMHO it sounds better at a quicker tempo.

[@mikerotch791]

The Specials and The Clash are my top 2 bands ever, but SLF are right next to them and my vote goes to SLF here. Also amazing band live, one of the best concerts I've ever been to.

[@stephencatherwood7935]

SLF every day

[@dmac8949]

SLF all the way

[@antscott4922]

Both amazing versions! Thanks for sorting this. It doesn't make it alright. Lve in hope :)

[@tonycasey3183]

Again, I am torn. Two great bands. Two great versions.

[@ianbedwell8795]

Both brilliant. Can't ever beat the original, but SLF did a professional cover and never forget to mention where it came from when playing it live. Such a 'Special' message to boot.

[@JP-nb7tm]

Both tracks are off iconic 70s albums. Both great tracks in their own ways. In 79 in Yr7 half my class was 2Tone and the other half was punk. SLF was my obsession though.

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello my friends hay it's Saturday afternoon I'm sitting here in the hills of the kiapara and listening to these two band's back to back it gives me chills 46 years after hearing the original and then SLF Jake Burns... Joe Strummer... Terry Hall.... Ian MacKaye and Henry Rollins after my mum and dad probably had more influence on my moral compass then anything else and I'm very very happy about the way they delivered their message to us through THEIR MAGICAL POWERS OF MUSIC 👏👏👏👍✌️

[@paulhumphrey3402]

SLF no question

[@paulsharp4183]

An honourable draw, two of the best bands ever!

[@davepb5798]

Love both!!

[@iamspartacus6713]

in a low mood but you two have given me a lift by reviewing these brilliant songs,keep up the good work btw the slf version had me body movin' peace and love to you and all in the holy name of Jesus Christ

[@davepritchard283]

SLF sorry. Going with that everytime! More energy and passion.

[@rogerrabbit692]

Great Choice to compare. Loved both bands.

[@LEZERLEE1]

Love both versions - seen them both live too - both the same but different- I love SLF more because they are my fav band of all time and that album is still TOP

[@Mr75044]

RIP Terry Hall... The Specials United All the youth.. UK in the day was a different place.. Their contribution can not be underestimated More powerful than the punk movement.. And I was a hard core punk from 1977 Is one better than the other no..... It wasn't just about music... You need to understand sub culture in the UK at the time... Very complicated.. Punks Ted's national front & natty dreads mods rockers Hippies & skinheads Keep on fighting till Your dead...

[@stevewilson881]

As much as I like the Specials it's SLF all the way

[@tonycasey3183]

Do you know The Interrupters? Their song, She Got Arrested is a perfect Punk/Ska fusion and a fantastic set of lyrics about a victim of domestic violence who got pushed too far

[@heathcornbeef]

Yes it is The Interrupters are pretty bloody good

[@davepritchard283]

The passion from SLF is mainly due to the 'troubles' in Ulster at the time. They were so set against the whole thing.

[@TZ61]

This album by The Specials is one of my favorites certainly from this time and a Top 100 all-time and they get the nod for this song. Stiff Little Fingers did a good job with it.

[@ThomasJFoley-oc3vu]

I love both versions in equal measures

[@USA1775Paddy99]

Turn 60 god willing 🙏 in September and every time I hear SLF I get a charge like no other Jake Burns, Henry Cluney Jim Reilly on drums oli on base outstanding music that stands the test of time 🇮🇪

[@johndoyle2397]

Treat everyone with dignity

[@donaldomahoney1774]

Love both bands although the specials are my favourite band of all time so I'm going with Terry

[@SimonColey]

Luv the specials but SLF i go with so kool, I had Silver Lining by SLF simple song but i played it to death.

[@stephenolney6942]

Slf for me

[@heathcornbeef]

My second favourite song of all time after COMPLETE CONTROL The Clash Is ROOT'S RADICALS ROCKER'S AND REGGAE off Stiff little fingers Go For It Album the first time they came to Aotearoa new zealand 2007 i got a roll of white curtain sun black out fabric at least 15 feet long and made a stencil of flames and spray painted in black six cans! ROOT'S RADICALS ROCKER'S AND REGGAE and three cans of red spray paint to do the Flames in the background i then cut holes along the top and attached rope got to the gig went straight up stairs and hung it off the upstairs balcony handrail it was about a quarter of the length of the balcony and when they came out i got to hear that song live first and didn't have to wait and hope they would play it for their sakes if they hadn't played it I WOULD HAVE GONE POSTAL ON THEM. AFTER THE SHOW THEY SIGNED IT FOR ME NEXT TIME THEY CAME I ATTACHED ANOTHER BANNER ALONG THE BOTTOM AND IT JUST SAID WELCOME BACK NOBODY'S HERO'S

[@delorangeade]

The Specials wrote a great song, but something about the way Jake Burns delivers a lyric cuts through to my soul. SLF did something similar, and way better, in my opinion with the Bob Marley song, Johnny Was.

[@grahamlaidlaw7164]

just subscribed, thank you so much for doing slf. i am 46 yrs old my brother is 12 yrs older and he was at a slf concert and the support band was u2. dunno if they went on to do anything ? love from scotland x

[@jimmcintosh2326]

Great story, but unfortunately not true. U2 never supported SLF.

[@grahamlaidlaw7164]

@@jimmcintosh2326 1981, queens university, belfast.

[@grahamlaidlaw7164]

@@jimmcintosh2326 yes they did

[@grahamlaidlaw7164]

@@jimmcintosh2326 will this response dissapear aswel

[@mattscott573]

SLF never played with U2. The mistake people make is that they played consecutive nights but not together. Jake Burns has confirmed this many times in social media comments when people make the same claim. Sorry but your brother was wrong.

[@rogerwitte]

The specials were special! (but stiff little fingers still do a great cover highlighting the connection between punk and reggae)

[@deadwretched]

I also think that the original version of Our lips are sealed by The Go Go's is better than the remake by Fun Boy 3

[@mr.t114]

Stiff Little Fingers for sure but the Specials had the hit that put them unfairly, and so to say, above a more allround band like SLF.

[@heathcornbeef]

This song ( video) I'm going to recommend i think will get your heart beats redlining and a Smile on ya faces the band is called Missing Teeth and the Song to check out is THE PLAGUE live at New Zealand Punk Fest 2007 it's a really good recording and video with a 37 year old version of the 53 year old me trying to not have a heart attack somewhere amongst all the young punkrockers 😵‍💫😳🤒🤕 That was an Epic💥💥🤯 Weekend two nights of kiwi Punkrock from all over Aotearoa new zealand 👏👏👏👍✌️🤘💥 a very very long drive 720 kms each way but well worth the effort

[@heathcornbeef]

Hehe i forgot to say Dave is also the Drummer for ROOFDOG and if you like Sublime these guys will ROCK YOUR BOAT and as much as i love Sublime these guys are BETTER

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora (hello) Hanier Whanau (family) hay i know I'm always slinging suggestions at you but i don't expect you to jump right into it just a heads up for the future sometime and here's one with two of my favorite singers together TOOT'S AND WILLIE NELSON song is called I'M A WORRIED MAN..... NO PRESSURE JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THE SONG EXISTS AND IS A CRACKER!!!!👏👏👏👍✌️

[@SPKdesign1]

Have a listen to Selector, if you haven't already. They are part of the Two Tone movement from the late 70s/early 80s along with The Bodysnatchers and The Beat. It's possible The Beat had to change their name for the American market.

[@davidellis5141]

Three Minute Hero is a great song ! They & Paul Weller are opening for Blur at Wembley this summer ☀️

[@SPKdesign1]

@@davidellis5141 I doubt I'd be able to afford a ticket.

[@davidellis5141]

@@SPKdesign1 150 💷 = 185 💵 ! Ouch !! 😆 🤣

[@SPKdesign1]

@@davidellis5141 A bit too much for me and I doubt I can blag that one.

[@hanierfamily]

There's a show.

[@AndrewCraner-vb7mm]

Both are great versions rip terry hall

[@alanjelek]

SLF

[@polcurley8940]

I know The Specials wrote it, but SLF ftw

[@sherbert500]

I dont even have to listen to know both of them are great but the fingers take it to another level, perhaps it's time to do the comparison of the bob marley song johnny was and the cover by stiff little fingers!

[@heathcornbeef]

Hell yeah perfect way to prove uncle Bob Marley right REGGAE MUSIC AND PUNKROCK MUSIC IS REBEL MUSIC

[@heathcornbeef]

PUNKY REGGAE PARTY

[@groovygregsmith]

You seem like a nice couple spend an hour or so reading about the struggles. It adds a certain poignancy. The same as in East Berlin.

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello again my friends hay here's a suggestion for something a bit different. The Murder Chord from Auckland Aotearoa New Zealand. Friends of mine two piece Dave Hinds on keyboards and vocals and Ryan on Drum's . Dave on keyboards and vocals was the Drummer for Missing Teeth (video missing teeth live at New Zealand punk fest 2007 The Plague) it's a really good recording and video these guys are one of the band's that played at my wedding after party at the king's arms pub where I'd gotten married in the garden a few hours earlier THE CITY NEWTON BOMBER'S also did a set straight after the reception for people who couldn't make the gig ... THE CITY NEWTON BOMBER'S MISSING TEETH. THE BLUDGGERS MISTAKEN IDENTITY ROOFDOG were the lineup

[@garyarnold9311]

Hands down SLF

[@TchikiSteph]

Haha Specials version is much more interesting IMO, the SLF version sounds like it's perfomed by your local pub band, while the Specials version is stellar ! Well, that's why they were called the Specials, right ?

[@phunny12000]

Late reply Love both but slf all day Released Wasted Life,a band from Belfast! In the height of the troubles, incredibly brave, plus a fantastic song

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello again hay here's a comparison for ya from the SKA side of the force THE MANAGERS songs INFILTRATOR ft LISE on vocals And WHO AM I KIDDING ft PAUL HOOLIGAN on vocals Totally different from their Split Enz cover of.... that was my mistake and two very different songs from each other

[@joe2tonepringle352]

sir Horace Gentleman & Ali McMordie are both great Bassist

[@entheogenocide]

Awesome video. I personally always loved SLF version a bit better.

[@gordonmathers3388]

SLF version better, but both great

[@heathcornbeef]

S.L.F put their stiff little finger prints all over the end of the song ah ah Ah? Come on let me hear ya say Ah 😂

[@kevv117]

Please do isolation by joy division and therapy? Please

[@mr.t114]

Both good bands, if not great bands but i can be cheap with the praises. OK great then. Two in a row what a flow! Will there be a third one as well? Nah enough with the typing for one clip.

[@deadwretched]

Easily SLF version is the best, by a long way

[@heathcornbeef]

The Murder Chord Next year's gonna be better 👍✌️ give it a shot they are wicked my opinion