Charlie don't Surf
The Clash Lyrics
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Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie's gonna be a napalm star
Everybody wants to rule the world
Must be something we get from birth
One truth is we never learn
Satellites will make space burn
We've been told to keep the strangers out
We don't like them starting to hang around
We don't like them all over town
Across the world we are going to blow them down
[Chorus:]
The reign of the super powers must be over
So many armies can't free the earth
Soon the rock will roll over
Africa is choking on their Coca Cola
It's a one a way street in a one horse town
One way people starting to brag around
You can laugh, put them down
These one way people gonna blow us down
[Chorus:]
Charlie don't surf he'll never learn
Charlie don't surf though he's got a gun
Charlie don't surf think that he should
Charlie don't surf we really think he should
Charlie don't surf
Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie don't surf
The Clash's song "Charlie Don't Surf" is a politically charged anthem that critiques the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War. The song's title refers to a line from the movie "Apocalypse Now," in which Robert Duvall's character, a soldier named Kilgore, says "Charlie don't surf." "Charlie" is a derogatory nickname for the Vietnamese enemy, and the line reflects Kilgore's arrogant belief that the Vietnamese are not as sophisticated or cultured as Americans.
The song's chorus repeats the line "Charlie don't surf and we think he should," drawing attention to the absurdity of Kilgore's statement and the idea that the Vietnam War was driven by cultural imperialism. The verse about "keeping the strangers out" and "blow[ing] them down" alludes to the US policy of forced containment during the Cold War era, which sought to prevent the spread of communism to other countries. The reference to "Africa chok[ing] on their Coca Cola" highlights the impact of American corporate influence on global culture.
In the final verse, the song suggests that the reign of superpowers like the US must come to an end, as they only serve to perpetuate war and conflict. The line "so many armies can't free the earth" speaks to the futility of military intervention, while the image of the "rock roll[ing] over" suggests an impending disaster. Overall, "Charlie Don't Surf" is a scathing critique of American foreign policy and its impact on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie isn't coasting smoothly, but we hope he does
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie not riding the waves is unacceptable
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie isn't surfing for himself, but for his survival
Charlie's gonna be a napalm star
Charlie might become famous through war's fire
Everybody wants to rule the world
People crave power and control
Must be something we get from birth
This desire for power is inherent in us
One truth is we never learn
We're doomed to repeat our mistakes
Satellites will make space burn
Technology can have disastrous consequences
We've been told to keep the strangers out
We're taught to be wary of those we don't know
We don't like them starting to hang around
We're uncomfortable with outsiders becoming part of our community
We don't like them all over town
We don't want outsiders infiltrating our entire society
Across the world we are going to blow them down
We'll use force to remove these unwelcome guests
The reign of the super powers must be over
The time of powerful nations dominating others is ending
So many armies can't free the earth
Even with many militaries, we can't liberate the planet
Soon the rock will roll over
There will be a significant shift in the world's power dynamic
Africa is choking on their Coca Cola
Western influences are harming African cultures
It's a one a way street in a one horse town
A small, isolated town with no opportunities
One way people starting to brag around
The people here have little to show off, but do so regardless
You can laugh, put them down
Mocking these people is easy, but also cruel
These one way people gonna blow us down
These overlooked people have the power to bring us down
Charlie don't surf he'll never learn
Charlie isn't willing to try surfing
Charlie don't surf though he's got a gun
Charlie's armed, but still won't give surfing a chance
Charlie don't surf think that he should
We believe Charlie is missing out on something great
Charlie don't surf we really think he should
We're serious about Charlie trying surfing
Charlie don't surf
Charlie isn't riding the waves
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankrizzo2025
Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie's gonna be a napalm star
Everybody wants to rule the world
Must be something we get from birth
One truth is we never learn
Satellites will make space burn
We've been told to keep the strangers out
We don't like them starting to hang around
We don't like them all over town
Across the world we are going to blow them down
The reign of the super powers must be over
So many armies can't free the earth
Soon the rock will roll over
Africa is choking on their Coca Cola
It's a one a way street in a one horse town
One way people starting to brag around
You can laugh, put them down
These one way people gonna blow us down
Charlie don't surf he'll never learn
Charlie don't surf though he's got a gun
Charlie don't surf think that he should
Charlie don't surf we really think he should
Charlie don't surf
Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie don't surf
@marcelopalumbo3418
@@v.valente
Verdade !
Ô " MANO VÉIO " ....!
... não é surf music , MAS A MELODIA DA MÚSICA É DE SURF MUSIC !
... todos os "Chalies" deveriam surfar ....
Você surfa " VÉIO vitor " ?!
Como diz a música
" me disseram pra deixar você (Ô ESTRANHO ) lá fora ... "
Ah ! não tenho total domínio da língua inglesa , e você rir disso , NÃO TE FAZ mais culto e ou mais " sábio "
mas sim um TIRANO que se assemelha a esses líderes de super potências a qual esta música se refere também !
Ri melhor quem ri por último ...
🤙 ALOHA !
AGENTE DÁ O QUÊ TEM !
@SomeRandomBod
I love the sound of the clash in the morning, sounds like victory.
@justanotherspook447
Glad I wasn't the only one.
@NoahSpurrier
Someday this war is going to end.
@ignacioevangelista4699
Cool answer!
@andrewlowe9969
LOL that's a good one!!
@danugo6742
Bruuuuuuh
@EnricoMendes55
That bass line...
@s.miller2648
Yeah, and it's not Paul Simonen.
@thomassnider6691
@@s.miller2648 Who is it then?
@s.miller2648
@@thomassnider6691 Bass player from Ian Dury and the Blockheads