Cool Confusion
The Clash Lyrics
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And kung fu in the car park
Could the weekend be losing
That reactive spark
Even in the shebeen
Or down in the meat rack
Longtime I feel cold
To send Cinderella's shoe back
Along the length of the wire
Party jam on the line
I can't hear a thing
Can't get no number nine
Now we must get in touch
If the night is to burn
Someone out there in luck
Lend me your star for a turn
As heroes fix their hair
Some are saving their breath
Just on the walkways tonight
For a glue bag death
Screens flick in unison
Some gaze at the soul
From the tiers and the heights
Go for the fifteenth floor stroll
It's immediately obvious;
Anybody star-gilt
Would have left this club
Way before it was built
This strikes you so late
As the guy with the broom
Sweeps you and the bottles
Right out of the room
Now I wash in the factory
Confess in the tile house
I don't need to bleed anybody
To strike out
Today my godfather
He sent a note from the jail
Said go get 'em kid
But don't get chained to the rail
Between cool confusion
And kung fu in the car park
Could the weekend be losing
That romantic spark
Even in the shebeen
Or down in the meat rack
Long time I feel cold
To send Cinderella's shoe back
In the song 'Cool Confusion' by The Clash, the singer is grappling with a sense of detachment and disorientation in the urban landscape. The opening lines juxtapose 'cool confusion' with 'kung fu in the car park', suggesting a tension between intellectual detachment and physical aggression. The singer seems to question whether the 'weekend' - a time associated with leisure and pleasure - is losing its 'reactive spark'. The lyrics then shift to describe various locations in the city, such as a 'shebeen' (an unlicensed bar) and a 'meat rack' (a district notorious for prostitution), where the singer feels 'cold' and disconnected. The mention of 'Cinderella's shoe' suggests a sense of disillusionment with the romantic narratives that often underpin popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Between cool confusion
In the midst of calm chaos
And kung fu in the car park
And violence lurking nearby
Could the weekend be losing
Is the excitement waning
That reactive spark
That instinctual motivation
Even in the shebeen
Even in the underground bar
Or down in the meat rack
Or in the seedy district
Longtime I feel cold
I have been feeling numb for a while
To send Cinderella's shoe back
To give up on the fairy tale ending
Along the length of the wire
Over the telephone line
Party jam on the line
Loud music on the other end
I can't hear a thing
I can't understand a word
Can't get no number nine
Can't make out a phone number
Now we must get in touch
Now we need to connect
If the night is to burn
If we want to have a wild night
Someone out there in luck
Someone is having a good time
Lend me your star for a turn
Let me have some of your good luck
As heroes fix their hair
As people put on a show
Some are saving their breath
Some are conserving their energy
Just on the walkways tonight
Just hanging out on the streets
For a glue bag death
At risk of dying from inhalant abuse
Screens flick in unison
TVs flashing together
Some gaze at the soul
Some look for meaning
From the tiers and the heights
From the upper levels of society
Go for the fifteenth floor stroll
Take a walk to the top of a skyscraper
It's immediately obvious;
It's clear right away
Anybody star-gilt
Anyone seeking fame
Would have left this club
Would not want to be here
Way before it was built
Far before it was constructed
This strikes you so late
This realization comes too late
As the guy with the broom
As the janitor
Sweeps you and the bottles
Cleans up after you and the empty bottles
Right out of the room
Directly out the door
Now I wash in the factory
Now I work in a manufacturing plant
Confess in the tile house
Confess my sins in the bathroom
I don't need to bleed anybody
I don't need to hurt anyone
To strike out
To succeed
Today my godfather
Today my mentor
He sent a note from the jail
He sent a letter from prison
Said go get 'em kid
Encouraged me to persevere
But don't get chained to the rail
But don't get trapped by the system
Between cool confusion
In the midst of chaos
And kung fu in the car park
And the potential for violence nearby
Could the weekend be losing
Is the excitement fading
That romantic spark
That passionate drive
Even in the shebeen
Even in the dingy pub
Or down in the meat rack
Or in the seedy area
Longtime I feel cold
I have been feeling numb for a while
To send Cinderella's shoe back
To give up on a happy ending
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind