From their earliest days as a band, The Clash stood apart from their peers with their musicianship as well as their lyrics, the passionate, left-wing political idealism in the lyrics by frontman Joe Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones contrasting with the lyrical nihilism of the Sex Pistols and the musical minimalism of the Ramones. Their 1979 album 'London Calling' is considered by critics as one of the greatest albums in the history of rock music. Rolling Stone declared it the best album of the 80s.
The Clash's attitude and style, as much as their music, has influenced countless bands, both within and outside the sphere of punk rock. Often lauded as "the only band that matters," The Clash were canonized as rock saints even before they broke up. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the class of 2003. Their first five albums, ('The Clash', 'Give 'Em Enough Rope', 'London Calling', 'Sandinista!', and 'Combat Rock') to this day, continue to earn a great deal of interest from rock fans and artists alike.
Mick Jones went on to form Big Audio Dynamite after being fired from The Clash, and he more recently has produced albums by artists such as The Libertines and Babyshambles. In 2004, he formed Carbon/silicon with musician Tony James (of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik fame). Exploring various genres such as alternative rock and electronic music, he continues to collaborate with other modern groups such as Gorillaz.
Joe Strummer went on to form and front Joe Strummer and the Latino Rockabilly War and then Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. He also had a notable solo career that involved work in films and other endeavors, often earning critical acclaim. He died on December 22, 2002, the victim of an un-diagnosed congenital heart defect. Mourned by countless punk fans, his life has been subject to several tributes and was memorialized in the 2007 documentary 'Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten'.
Bass player Paul Simonon went on to form Havana 3 A.M., a group that released a self-titled album in 1991, yet he decided to quit music in the early 90s in favour of becoming an artist. In 2006, he returned to music as bass player in a musical project together with singer-songwriter Damon Albarn. The project is often referred to as The Good, The Bad & The Queen, the name of the groups first recorded album that came out in 2007. In terms of his paintings, his well-received work notably was in an exhibition at Thomas Williams Fine Art in London.
Drummer Topper Headon released a solo album, 1986's 'Waking Up', before leaving the music business to become a taxi driver and escape the heroin addiction that cost him his legacy in The Clash. Over the years, he's had sporadic involvement in various music-related endeavors, such as being a key part of the aforementioned 'The Future Is Unwritten' film. He's currently residing in the seaside town of Dover, England.
Members:
1976 Original line-up
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Keith Levene – lead guitar
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes – drums, percussion
1977
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes – drums, percussion
1977-1982 Classic line-up
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Topper Headon – drums, percussion
1982-1983
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes – drums, percussion
1983
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard – drums, percussion
1983-1986 Final line-up
Joe Strummer – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Nick Sheppard – lead guitar, backing vocals
Vince White – lead guitar
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard – drums, percussion
06. I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He want to shoot some skag
He met it in Cambodia, but now
He can't afford a bag
Yankee dollar talk
To the dictators of the world
In fact it's giving orders
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?
Yankee detectives
Are always on the TV
'Cause killers in America work
Seven days a week
Never mind the stars and stripes
Let's print the Watergate Tapes
I'll salute the New Wave
And I hope nobody escapes
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?
Move up, Starsky
For the C.I.A.
Suck on Kojak
For the USA
The song "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A." by The Clash was recorded in 1977 and appeared on their eponymous debut album the same year. The song presents a scathing critique of the United States, including its military interventions in Southeast Asia and its political scandals. The lyrics reference the Vietnam War and the CIA's involvement in Cambodia, as well as the Watergate scandal that brought down President Nixon. The song's chorus repeats the titular phrase "I'm so bored with the U.S.A." and asks the question, "But what can I do?" suggesting a sense of frustration and helplessness.
The verses of the song focus on different aspects of U.S. culture that vocalist Joe Strummer finds dismaying. The opening verse describes a soldier who is addicted to drugs, having become hooked on "skag" (heroin) during his service in Cambodia. The next verse critiques U.S. foreign policy, suggesting that the government is subservient to dictators around the world. The verse after that takes aim at American crime shows, such as Starsky & Hutch and Kojak, which glorify violence and police brutality. The fourth verse expresses a desire to see the truth exposed, rather than the empty symbols of patriotism, suggesting that people should look beyond the American flag and instead focus on the Watergate tapes.
Overall, the song presents a bleak picture of the United States as a country that is corrupt, violent, and hypocritical. However, the song's repetition of the phrase "I'm so bored," suggests that this critique is not one of irredeemable despair but rather of disappointment, indicating that there is something more meaningful or engaging beyond the bland emptiness of American culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Yankee soldier
American soldiers fighting in foreign lands
He want to shoot some skag
Drug addiction problems among soldiers who have fought in Vietnam
He met it in Cambodia, but now
Cambodia was involved in the Vietnam War
He can't afford a bag
Drug addiction has ruined his life
Yankee dollar talk
American money financing corrupt foreign governments
To the dictators of the world
American governments enjoying trusting relationships with dictators worldwide
In fact it's giving orders
In this way, America is indirectly dictating other countries' policies
An' they can't afford to miss a word
These dictators are not willing to defy America's orders
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
The singer is fed up with America's politics and society
But what can I do?
The singer is powerless to affect any change
Yankee detectives
The glorified view of TV detectives is a sign of societal decline
Are always on the TV
Detective shows dominate TV programming
'Cause killers in America work
High crime rate and extensive murder stories on the news and in detective shows
Seven days a week
Crime never sleeps
Never mind the stars and stripes
Patriotic imagery is unimportant
Let's print the Watergate Tapes
The American people deserve to know the truth and corruption of their government
I'll salute the New Wave
Punk rock, a rebellious new movement, is the answer
And I hope nobody escapes
Everyone should be exposed to the punk rock message
Move up, Starsky
Slang term for the police, implies corruption within the force
For the C.I.A.
Suggests the C.I.A. is involved in this corruption
Suck on Kojak
Kojak was a popular TV detective, suggests that the public is too willing to be entertained by gross injustices
For the USA
The government, by extension, is also corrupt
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind