Boss Man, I think your statement, 'most of the specials songs were self-penned' is incorrect. "Too Hot", and "Gangsters" were both originally by Prince Buster, "Guns of Navarone", was originally by The Skatellites. Those are the few i could think of off the top of my head. Once you start listening to first wave ska, you'll realize how many 2tone songs are covers.
Boss Man, I think your statement, 'most of the specials songs were self-penned' is incorrect. "Too Hot", and "Gangsters" were both originally by Prince Buster, "Guns of Navarone", was originally by The Skatellites. Those are the few i could think of off the top of my head. Once you start listening to first wave ska, you'll realize how many 2tone songs are covers.