The Clash — Clampdown
Album: London CallingAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3834
Length: 3:46
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The kingdom is ransacked, the jewels all taken back
And the chopper descends
They're hidden in the back, with a message on a half-baked tape
With the spool going round, saying I'm back here in this place
And I could cry
And there's smoke you could click on
What are we going to do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
'Cause working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
The judge said five to ten but I say double that again
I'm not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Do you know that you can use it?
The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothing, so boy, get running
It's the best years of your life they want to steal
You grow up and you calm down
And you're working for the clampdown
You start wearing the blue and brown
And you're working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
You made your first kill now
In these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
Ha, get along, get along
Working for the clampdown
Ha, get along, get along
Working for the clampdown
Yeah, I'm working hard in Harrisburg
Working hard in Petersburg
Working for the clampdown
Working for the clampdown
Begging to be melted down
Work, work, work
And I give away no secrets
Work, more work, more work
And the chopper descends
They're hidden in the back, with a message on a half-baked tape
With the spool going round, saying I'm back here in this place
And I could cry
And there's smoke you could click on
What are we going to do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
'Cause working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
The judge said five to ten but I say double that again
I'm not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Do you know that you can use it?
The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothing, so boy, get running
It's the best years of your life they want to steal
You grow up and you calm down
And you're working for the clampdown
You start wearing the blue and brown
And you're working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
You made your first kill now
In these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
Ha, get along, get along
Working for the clampdown
Ha, get along, get along
Working for the clampdown
Yeah, I'm working hard in Harrisburg
Working hard in Petersburg
Working for the clampdown
Working for the clampdown
Begging to be melted down
Work, work, work
And I give away no secrets
Work, more work, more work
Comments (375)add comment
Sooooooo Good! 
coloradojohn wrote:
They certainly are amongst the finest of which there are many!
I remember Pete Townshend giving us all a heads-up about them back then, and he sure was right! I was at first shocked by their boldness, and I admired how they were unabashedly unique amidst much of the music of the time. And I loved Joe's spastic, contagious, outrageous energy and passion! This and Combat Rock are among the very finest rock and roll records EVER!
They certainly are amongst the finest of which there are many!
I remember Pete Townshend giving us all a heads-up about them back then, and he sure was right! I was at first shocked by their boldness, and I admired how they were unabashedly unique amidst much of the music of the time. And I loved Joe's spastic, contagious, outrageous energy and passion! This and Combat Rock are among the very finest rock and roll records EVER!
I saw that tour too. Really strong. Fantastic set up for Pete and the boys
You obviously weren't alive or listening to The Clash when they were in their prime... go ahead and google "the clash the only band that matters".
While other 80's bands were pumping out feel good music, The Clash was making socio-economic and political statements that rocked.
I saw them open for The Who in the early 80s at Shea Stadium in NYC... it was kick-a** unreal.
You obviously weren't alive or listening to The Clash when they were in their prime... go ahead and google "the clash the only band that matters".
While other 80's bands were pumping out feel good music, The Clash was making socio-economic and political statements that rocked.
I saw them open for The Who in the early 80s at Shea Stadium in NYC... it was kick-a** unreal.
TC1 wrote:
You obviously weren't alive or listening to The Clash when they were in their prime... go ahead and google "the clash the only band that matters".
While other 80's bands were pumping out feel good music, The Clash was making socio-economic and political statements that rocked.
I saw them open for The Who in the early 80s at Shea Stadium in NYC... it was kick-a** unreal.
You obviously weren't alive or listening to The Clash when they were in their prime... go ahead and google "the clash the only band that matters".
While other 80's bands were pumping out feel good music, The Clash was making socio-economic and political statements that rocked.
I saw them open for The Who in the early 80s at Shea Stadium in NYC... it was kick-a** unreal.
Alastair wrote:
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
You obviously weren't alive or listening to The Clash when they were in their prime... go ahead and google "the clash the only band that matters".
While other 80's bands were pumping out feel good music, The Clash was making socio-economic and political statements that rocked.
I saw them open for The Who in the early 80s at Shea Stadium in NYC... it was kick-a** unreal.
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
You obviously weren't alive or listening to The Clash when they were in their prime... go ahead and google "the clash the only band that matters".
While other 80's bands were pumping out feel good music, The Clash was making socio-economic and political statements that rocked.
I saw them open for The Who in the early 80s at Shea Stadium in NYC... it was kick-a** unreal.
Steely_D wrote:
Keep pumpin' my brother!
Shit people, I'm 60 and pumping my fist in memory of that energy, that rawness, that freedom.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
Keep pumpin' my brother!
Zep wrote:
"Kill your favorite band before they make 'Combat Rock'."
--Jack Black
Jack Black is slowly becoming irrelevant!
"Kill your favorite band before they make 'Combat Rock'."
--Jack Black
Jack Black is slowly becoming irrelevant!
KPC1 wrote:
Same here
Yep -- here, here.
Same here
Yep -- here, here.
Steely_D wrote:
Same here
Shit people, I'm 60 and pumping my fist in memory of that energy, that rawness, that freedom.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
Same here
jjbchansen159 wrote:
"Kill your favorite band before they make 'Combat Rock'."
--Jack Black
The Clash never made a bad album. Cut the Crap was not a Clash album IMO.
"Kill your favorite band before they make 'Combat Rock'."
--Jack Black
nakitu.tenatako wrote:
The Unix epoch. 19:00 1969-12-31 to be precise, for eastern time. If the date (expressed as seconds since the epoch) is zero, that's what you get.
Not sure if anyone noticed, release date is little stale...
Dec 31, 1969?
The Unix epoch. 19:00 1969-12-31 to be precise, for eastern time. If the date (expressed as seconds since the epoch) is zero, that's what you get.
I had this song rated as a '9'.
Click-click-clickety-click. There!
10
Click-click-clickety-click. There!
10
Alastair wrote:
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
...get along, get along! What's to say? Maaag-niIficent
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
Shit people, I'm 60 and pumping my fist in memory of that energy, that rawness, that freedom.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
islander wrote:
I think I just hurt my neck while bobbing my head.
Stop whining you two. Your fingers still work well enough to turn it up.
Alastair wrote:
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
This was their sobriquet during their active years. I think it was based on the rawness of their sound, the revolutionary nature of their lyrics and their desire to provide great music at a decent price.
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
By far my favorite song by this great band!!
Greyerwrit wrote:
"The only band that matters" was their sobriquet during their active years.
Thank you. Yes, this is what my comment below was referencing.
"The only band that matters" was their sobriquet during their active years.
Thank you. Yes, this is what my comment below was referencing.
Not sure if anyone noticed, release date is little stale...
Dec 31, 1969?
Dec 31, 1969?
Steely_D wrote:
bro, you're 64 now!!!!
be careful
Shit people, I'm 60 and pumping my fist in memory of that energy, that rawness, that freedom.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
bro, you're 64 now!!!!
be careful
Great tune but making me want to dig out a cover of it I have somewhere by the Indigo Girls of all bands
The Clash never made a bad album. Cut the Crap was not a Clash album IMO.
Topper Headon - a truly excellent drummer. He could play any style, had power and a rock steady meter. A human computer.
get along, get along!
joejennings wrote:
I think the band is Great, but come on .........! Eh? ...a bit of an overstatement!!!
"The only band that matters" was their sobriquet during their active years.
I think the band is Great, but come on .........! Eh? ...a bit of an overstatement!!!
"The only band that matters" was their sobriquet during their active years.
And now here's Rage Against The Machine when they were wee babies, covering this classic song in their own style.
Jayesea wrote:
I think the band is Great, but come on .........! Eh? ...a bit of an overstatement!!!
The only band that matters.
I think the band is Great, but come on .........! Eh? ...a bit of an overstatement!!!
GREAT TUNE!!!
Nice follow-on. A Midnight Oil song with comments including a very well written defense for the inclusion of philosophy in music, followed by an angry political rant by the one time "only band that matters".
As a child of the 60's who was temporarily radicalized by the video coverage of the 1968 Democratic convention, these thoughts are always just under the surface.
As a child of the 60's who was temporarily radicalized by the video coverage of the 1968 Democratic convention, these thoughts are always just under the surface.
Jayesea wrote:
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
The only band that matters.
Help me here. I can understand people saying this about The Beatles, Elvis (both of them), Pink Floyd, Massive Attack. But The Clash? Really, I want to understand.
Oh I have tried and tried and tried to like The Clash but nope. It just escapes me. They just sound like a pub band doing "a song we wrote". Probably my loss.
Love this song! Unfortunately, it's still relevant today....
Best and my fav Clash song!!
The only band that matters.
I'm certain I'm the only person on the planet who loves Combat Rock more than this album
Exactly what's happening now. But the shoe is on the other foot, innit?
Whoa Bill - need to get work done?!
What a run - some of my all time favorite tunes:
Old Man
Subterranean Homesick Aien
What Difference Does it Make?
Clampdown....
(and Githead Take Off is a nice follow tune too (reminds me of Wire every time!)
Ah....RP rules!
What a run - some of my all time favorite tunes:
Old Man
Subterranean Homesick Aien
What Difference Does it Make?
Clampdown....
(and Githead Take Off is a nice follow tune too (reminds me of Wire every time!)
Ah....RP rules!
I still get self conscious if I wear blue and brown all these years later
I recall the way the words from this stung when I got my first "real" job out of college. "You start wearin' blue and brown and workin' for the clampdown." I felt like a sellout, but, hey a guy's gotta eat! This album changed my entire musical frontier.
The Clash ........thinking man's Ramones :-) Off the scale 10 plus🎸😎
Saw this lot at "Cloudland" in Brisvegas back in the day. Exact yrs etc don't easily come to me nowadays but this album gets played a lot around here.
poetdancer wrote:
Was it possibly with the Who in82
At the Oakland colluesum..if so i concur
8 > 9
Great song.
Saw the Clash in San Francisco in 1982. Amazing show.
Great song.
Saw the Clash in San Francisco in 1982. Amazing show.
Was it possibly with the Who in82
At the Oakland colluesum..if so i concur
Hello? It's London calling....
40 years old?!
I was listening to this in college?!
Well, bite me.
I was listening to this in college?!
Well, bite me.
These gentlemen saved me from the mysterious affliction known as disco in the late 70s. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Miss ya Joe.
"In these days of evil presidentes" indeed
More Clash Bill!
kcar wrote:
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
I will say this: England went through far more wrenching social and economic changes in the 70s and 80s than the US did, and as a result the music that the UK created during those times—even the escapist stuff—was generally superior and a lot more interesting than what American bands put out.
I have to agree - as a teenager I never got the Clash at all. There were other bands around at the time who I found to be far more interesting and authentic - the original Buzzcocks and Magazine for example.
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
I will say this: England went through far more wrenching social and economic changes in the 70s and 80s than the US did, and as a result the music that the UK created during those times—even the escapist stuff—was generally superior and a lot more interesting than what American bands put out.
I have to agree - as a teenager I never got the Clash at all. There were other bands around at the time who I found to be far more interesting and authentic - the original Buzzcocks and Magazine for example.
Not just a powerful message that "the kids should hear," but musically so effective. And in these days in the US it has more than a little resonance. If you can't recognize that, then enjoy your clampdown.
An absolute corker. Great example of that combo of rock, energy inflected by hints of reggae which is particular to the greatest of the punk_-era UK bands.
I'm 69 and my truss has just burst dancin to this .. just sayin
38 years ago, these guys were getting it done:
Steely_D wrote:
I think I just hurt my neck while bobbing my head.
Shit people, I'm 60 and pumping my fist in memory of that energy, that rawness, that freedom.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
I think I just hurt my neck while bobbing my head.
Shit people, I'm 60 and pumping my fist in memory of that energy, that rawness, that freedom.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
Ow, my rotator cuff.
On_The_Beach wrote:
How did Rod put it?
"MAGGIE!
I wish I'd
Never seen your face!"
(OK, different decade, different Maggie, but still . . .)
No longer "Maggie", but now "MAGA"
How did Rod put it?
"MAGGIE!
I wish I'd
Never seen your face!"
(OK, different decade, different Maggie, but still . . .)
No longer "Maggie", but now "MAGA"
What are we gonna do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
'Cause they're working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
Make America Great Again
'Cause they're working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you!
When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
Make America Great Again
Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Do you know that you can use it?
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Do you know that you can use it?
8 > 9
Great song.
Saw the Clash in San Francisco in 1982. Amazing show.
Great song.
Saw the Clash in San Francisco in 1982. Amazing show.
Sadly, this song is so prescient.
Saw the Clash open for the Who in NY, two high energy bands, not much sitting that night.
10 still a 10
hayduke2 wrote:
oh those were the days, hearing this was like grabbing a guiter and giving me a swipe at this cow
How did Rod put it?
"MAGGIE!
I wish I'd
Never seen your face!"
(OK, different decade, different Maggie, but still . . .)
oh those were the days, hearing this was like grabbing a guiter and giving me a swipe at this cow
How did Rod put it?
"MAGGIE!
I wish I'd
Never seen your face!"
(OK, different decade, different Maggie, but still . . .)
wow - never heard this one before - love it when they shift into doubletime.
Aw, now, THAT'S The RIght Profile, there, man! Yeah, and how about a bit more of the killer cuts from that amazing landmark album?
oh those were the days, hearing this was like grabbing a guiter and giving me a swipe at this cow
Here is The Boss doing the song with Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine
jarcampbell wrote:
Exactly. Could not agree more. It is common misconception that they were some sloppy wannabes. Listen to some post-Clash output, like Strummer's Mescaleros or Jones's Big Audio Dynamite, and you begin to appreciate that they were musicians first and foremost.
RP is killing it right now. I have been in a clash revival in my head. Loving their stuff. If you thought they were some unlistenable punk band, go back and give em a try.
Exactly. Could not agree more. It is common misconception that they were some sloppy wannabes. Listen to some post-Clash output, like Strummer's Mescaleros or Jones's Big Audio Dynamite, and you begin to appreciate that they were musicians first and foremost.
RP is killing it right now. I have been in a clash revival in my head. Loving their stuff. If you thought they were some unlistenable punk band, go back and give em a try.
barryboy wrote:
Yes I do 🎣🎣🎣
My mate Steve likes this ++
Yes I do 🎣🎣🎣
My mate Steve likes this ++
as a youth in England, in an increasing atmosphere of "no hope-ism" I never really got the Clash, much preferred The Jam. Over the following years not much has changed, apart from learning Strummer was a bit of a phoney and far too much up his own arse. The Clash did some great stuff but much crap and bad reggae too.
steeler wrote:
Hmmmm . . . that is a criticism I would not have expected.
I would say The Clash was heavy on message.
Given, these are songs, not novels or essays.
jmsmy wrote:
This great song deserves a better reading. How did Bruce do?
I just saw Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta and he opened with this song.
This great song deserves a better reading. How did Bruce do?
jmsmy wrote:
Seriously?! that's really, really cool! (not sarcasm)
I just saw Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta and he opened with this song.
Seriously?! that's really, really cool! (not sarcasm)
soundtrack to high school in the 80's... good times
Nothing less than an 8 for The Clash. Inspirational in formulating my ideology during my youth. Like most, father time has weathered that steely resolve to tilt at windmills but at the very least, sparkling nostalgia of a misspent youth (then again - maybe no so misspent)
TheBorgBuilder
(Atlanta)
jmsmy wrote:
(Atlanta)
Posted: Apr 30, 2014 - 11:09
jmsmy wrote:
I just saw Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta and he opened with this song.
Glad to hear his music is improving
That's funny, Borg. I don't agree, but I hear you.
I tried to convert a good, recently deceased friend of mine to Springsteen. To no avail. He was into Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray, Ramstein. He lived in NJ but sneered and changed the channel when Springsteen came on the radio.
Having seen two of the Boss's shows, he's passion personified. One of the hardest working men in show business. The Clash is long gone, leaving a limited catalogue, but Bruce is still here, still recording and touring. That says a lot. Be that as it may, Clash was certainly a brilliant act. I remember hearing this song on a car radio in '79 or '80, and moments later the office mail room dude and I bought an after work dime bag from our guy Herb (yes, that was his name) on a Manhattan midtown corner and missed an aggressive wanted to-bust-us cop by 5 seconds. Whew. Now that's a clampdown.
jmsmy wrote:
I just saw Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta and he opened with this song.
Glad to hear his music is improving
I just saw Bruce Springsteen in Atlanta and he opened with this song.
kcar wrote:
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
I will say this: England went through far more wrenching social and economic changes in the 70s and 80s than the US did, and as a result the music that the UK created during those times—even the escapist stuff—was generally superior and a lot more interesting than what American bands put out.
Hmmmm . . . that is a criticism I would not have expected.
I would say The Clash was heavy on message.
Given, these are songs, not novels or essays.
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
I will say this: England went through far more wrenching social and economic changes in the 70s and 80s than the US did, and as a result the music that the UK created during those times—even the escapist stuff—was generally superior and a lot more interesting than what American bands put out.
Hmmmm . . . that is a criticism I would not have expected.
I would say The Clash was heavy on message.
Given, these are songs, not novels or essays.
I love the nod to Elvis with the cover.
what a great freakin tune this is!
I wore this to a come as you were fancy dress party the other week. I even wore a grey mohawk. . .
Zonkers wrote:
True Dat !
Just a stellar album. Brilliance from one cut to the next.
Long live The Clash!
Long live The Clash!
True Dat !
Just a stellar album. Brilliance from one cut to the next.
Long live The Clash!
Long live The Clash!
I always notice how much he evokes Syd Barrett in the opening part...and as others have said, INCREDIBLE ALBUM...The Right Profile!
alaken wrote:
Amen - it captures that entire time and still in many ways still does, eg NSA and its hands/eyes in everyone's business.
The clampdown exists behind the veil in the corner
Never ceases to amaze. Rarely do musicians catch lightning in a bottle like London Calling. 9 -> 10
Amen - it captures that entire time and still in many ways still does, eg NSA and its hands/eyes in everyone's business.
The clampdown exists behind the veil in the corner
Perfect!
Play this entirely too much
Thank you (again) - one of the best of all time!
johnjconn wrote:
The Crash
hirarious! working for the crampdown!
The Crash
hirarious! working for the crampdown!
sirdroseph wrote:
Well put, I agree wholeheartedly.
Bollocks!
Well put, I agree wholeheartedly.
Bollocks!
wlpendley wrote:
Ha! get along — get along...
get along — get along
Ha! get along — get along...
RIP, " Woody," you did what you set out to do!
that's thatcher's neck under the blade of that guitar man!
these boys were much needed prophets
these boys were much needed prophets
Thanks, that's a great interview clip from Scorsese. I had forgotten they were acquainted, and that he wanted to use them in a film.
petarsubotic wrote:
petarsubotic wrote:
Martin Scorsese on how Clampdown inspired him to take the force, the energy he heard from the music and develop creative elements of his own:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwzZpXiwm60&t=1m40s
From: Future Is Unwritten, 2007.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwzZpXiwm60&t=1m40s
From: Future Is Unwritten, 2007.
Never ceases to amaze. Rarely do musicians catch lightning in a bottle like London Calling. 9 -> 10
Martin Scorsese on how Clampdown inspired him to take the force, the energy he heard from the music and develop creative elements of his own:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwzZpXiwm60&t=1m40s
From: Future Is Unwritten, 2007.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwzZpXiwm60&t=1m40s
From: Future Is Unwritten, 2007.
yayo wrote:
Outstanding!!
good!
Outstanding!!
good!
Papernapkin wrote:
HA!!! probably right. I remember a time when I thought Micheal Jackson was the shit.
But I have changed. At least an inch shorter and maybe 20 lbs heavier.
Still I like this though.
But that was such a long, long time ago. You've probably forgotten what bad taste you had when you were young. Or you haven't changed in the past half century.
HA!!! probably right. I remember a time when I thought Micheal Jackson was the shit.
But I have changed. At least an inch shorter and maybe 20 lbs heavier.
Still I like this though.
Perfect song from perfect album.... 
kcar wrote:
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
Well put, I agree wholeheartedly.
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
Well put, I agree wholeheartedly.
But that was such a long, long time ago. You've probably forgotten what bad taste you had when you were young. Or you haven't changed in the past half century.
gemtag wrote:
gemtag wrote:
What a great album. It screams my youth.
Seems like people want to compare a band like the Clash to a like YES or something. if anything, the Clash were a reaction to overplayed, overextended and over produced song writing . Not that there isn't a place for those bands, obviously plenty of people like that kind of music, so it's valid of course. To deride a band for not being "technical" is just plain musical snobbery. Are you going to dis Chuck Berry, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan and the Beatles on and on etc..? These artist wrote some of the most important and ground breaking music of our times all on 3 chords. A simple 3 chord song that sticks with the listener is arguably harder than some opus. I would suggest to those that think a band like the Clash were musical simpletons go try to learn one of their songs . If you enjoy playing it and find even just one creative element in any one song, guess what? That's called creativity , anyone can learn to play a tune, coming up with something hooky fresh and valid with a message is much harder. IMO. You don't have to like it to appreciate it's worth
sirdroseph wrote:
Thanks fred, you actually did a very good job of addressing my point without getting nasty. I agree with your assessment.
Miracles do happen. (OK, OK, I'll stop it. Could not resist)
Thanks fred, you actually did a very good job of addressing my point without getting nasty. I agree with your assessment.
Miracles do happen. (OK, OK, I'll stop it. Could not resist)
Cannot agree they are an average rock band as musicians. If you consider their environment, british punk rock, and still they were so creative in their music. I say they are great musicians, and adding intelligent, critical, sometimes sensitive lyrics to that, one of the greatest bands of all. Love The Clash ! Happy New Year RP folks !
lemmoth wrote:
As Lester Bangs called them at the time "The only band that matters"
Somewhere, Les is smiling (more than he ever did while he was still with us) knowing his comment on The Clash seems to be holding up quite nicely almost 35 years after he penned it...
As Lester Bangs called them at the time "The only band that matters"
Somewhere, Les is smiling (more than he ever did while he was still with us) knowing his comment on The Clash seems to be holding up quite nicely almost 35 years after he penned it...
drsteevo wrote:
That's because The Sex Pistols were just a bunch of posers. The Clash was a real band and made great music. The Sex Pistols were a contrived stage act, and their music sucked.
All rock bands are posers. The Sex Pistols were essentially, a contrivance of Malcolm McLaren, but they had quite a few good tunes. I agree, they were not as good as The Clash, but they opened a lot of doors for bands which followed.
That's because The Sex Pistols were just a bunch of posers. The Clash was a real band and made great music. The Sex Pistols were a contrived stage act, and their music sucked.
All rock bands are posers. The Sex Pistols were essentially, a contrivance of Malcolm McLaren, but they had quite a few good tunes. I agree, they were not as good as The Clash, but they opened a lot of doors for bands which followed.
lemmoth wrote:
Love it! You are so erudite in your comments, great to hear your "id" express itself!
HA!! GIT ALONGGIT ALONG!!!
Love it! You are so erudite in your comments, great to hear your "id" express itself!
kittyharker wrote:
That's because The Sex Pistols were just a bunch of posers. The Clash was a real band and made great music. The Sex Pistols were a contrived stage act, and their music sucked.
I love it every time RP plays The Clash. I am also surprised that not a single song by the Sex Pistols has made it onto RP — surely "Submission" at least would fit into a segue with The Clash or some other such similar song?
That's because The Sex Pistols were just a bunch of posers. The Clash was a real band and made great music. The Sex Pistols were a contrived stage act, and their music sucked.
Songs with power, passion and political significance are often more than the sum of their parts and this is no exception. Not meaning to upset too many purists but I first heard it covered by the Indigo Girls which is also a particularly powerful rendition of a great song but then I'm a sucker for a political folk number and a political punk number so happy either way.
What a great album. It screams my youth.
kcar wrote:
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
I will say this: England went through far more wrenching social and economic changes in the 70s and 80s than the US did, and as a result the music that the UK created during those times—even the escapist stuff—was generally superior and a lot more interesting than what American bands put out.
Fred gave you the history.
As Lester Bangs called them at the time "The only band that matters"
Yeah, but isn't there a fairly long history of the Angry Young Man in British culture? Were the Clash that ground-breaking? I didn't grow up in England so I can't say whether they were at the vanguard of punk or socially conscious music, but I wonder whether they were just at the top of another cycle of youth rebellion in British culture. I bought "London Calling" shortly after it came out and liked some of the songs, but a lot of it felt ragged and and willfully dumb. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of message.
I will say this: England went through far more wrenching social and economic changes in the 70s and 80s than the US did, and as a result the music that the UK created during those times—even the escapist stuff—was generally superior and a lot more interesting than what American bands put out.
Fred gave you the history.
As Lester Bangs called them at the time "The only band that matters"
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