Guns of Brixton
Nouvelle Vague Lyrics
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How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting on death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of the harder they come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
Yes, even shoot us
But oh-the guns of Brixton
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
Yeah, even shoot us
But oh-the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game is called survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Nouvelle Vague's song The Guns of Brixton is a cover of The Clash's original version. The song talks about the tension and confrontation between the police force and the working-class people in Brixton, a district in South London. The first verse talks about the dilemma faced by a person when the police break into their front door. The question posed is whether the person would surrender with hands on their head or retaliate with their gun. The second verse draws attention to the harsh reality that when the law breaks in, the person could either be killed on the spot or potentially be sentenced to death. The chorus warns the police that they may crush and bruise the residents of Brixton, but they shall have to pay for their actions.
The third verse talks about the lure of money and how people's affections are tied to possessions, which will one day come to an end. Ivan, the singer, was born in a rough and gritty place, and surviving the hardships of life is what gives him purpose. The last verse reveals that Ivan was caught with a gun, and his story ends in the back of the Black Maria police van. The song has a questioning undertone, which tries to understand the struggle between the authorities and the civilians, and how this hostility could eventually culminate in violence.
Line by Line Meaning
When they kick at your front door
When someone comes to forcefully enter your home
How you gonna come?
What will be your response or reaction?
With your hands on your head
Surrendering meekly, admitting defeat
Or on the trigger of your gun
Fighting back or defending yourself with deadly force
When the law break in
When the authorities themselves commit a crime
How you gonna go?
What will happen to you as a result?
Shot down on the pavement
Killed in the street like a criminal
Or waiting on death row
Sentenced to be executed after a trial
You can crush us
You can try to defeat or subdue us
You can bruise us
You can physically harm or injure us
But you'll have to answer to
But you will ultimately face justice or consequences for your actions
Oh, the guns of Brixton
A warning that the people of Brixton will not be oppressed or defeated
The money feels good
Pursuing wealth and material comfort can be tempting
And your life you like it well
You enjoy your current lifestyle and don't want to risk losing it
But surely your time will come
You will inevitably face the consequences of your choices
As in heaven, as in hell
Your fate after death will be determined by how you lived your life
You see, he feels like Ivan
Referring to a person named Ivan who is likely fictional
Born under the Brixton sun
Raised and molded by the environment and culture of Brixton
His game is called survivin'
His way of life is based on surviving and persisting
At the end of the harder they come
Referencing the film 'The Harder They Come' which depicts a similar struggle for survival
You know it means no mercy
Expecting no leniency or compassion
They caught him with a gun
The authorities found him in possession of a weapon
No need for the Black Maria
No need for a police van to take him away since he is going to be killed
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
Saying goodbye to his home, his freedom and his life
Yeah, even shoot us
The people of Brixton will still resist and fight back against oppression and violence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Gustave Simonon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anna Cabar
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of The Harder They Come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
Henry Elizabeth
I've heard some of their songs before. I didn't realise they were covers. I don't usually like covers, however these guys are Brilliant. Such an incredible talented band.
Francisco Blanco
Bellísima versión.Descanse en paz,Olivier
Fernanda Barrios
hace algún tiempo encontré una playlist de éste género en Youtube. Contenía ésta canción Mad about You, también estaba In a manner of speaking, también estaba un cover de Between the bars versión KEXP (show en vivo en el que canta una mujer). Y era en general como de sólo mujeres. La carátula de la playlist era una imagen tipo Nouvelle Valle (como en dos colores tipo 50's) y el nombre era algo así como "mujeres del lounge". Son características específicas porque sé que hay Miles de playlist. Sin embargo era buena y tenía visitas :( no sé qué pasó que no la encuentro!! Me ayudarían si saben cuál es?? O cómo la encuentro? Gracias 🥰
vudu krii
I love this Clash cover !!!
Lucy Requier
I love the clash and I love their version for sure. But as a French person (nouvelle vague is french) I discovered this as a kid thro my parents, who also listened to the clash btw) and this is one of my favourites, with love will tear us apart.
Have a good day 😊
Florence Delemer
Très épurée cette version
I love it 💓
Douglas Chagas
Bossa nova é algo único :)
Niurkar Couto
Fascinante esta banda
Anna Cabar
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of The Harder They Come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
rob dawson
some of the best lyrics the Clash ever wrote