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
08_I Fought The Law
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I left my baby and it feels so bad
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
Robbin' people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
law won
The Clash's "I Fought the Law" is a song about a man who rebels against the law and ultimately fails. The lyrics are vivid, painting a picture of a man who is desperate, out of luck, and willing to do anything to get ahead. The repetition of the hook, "I fought the law and the law won," emphasizes the man's defeat and the power of the law. The first verse refers to the man breaking rocks in the hot sun, a suggestion that he's working hard but still can't make ends meet. He then turns to crime, robbing people with a six-gun, and loses his girl and his fun in the process. In the end, he's left alone, defeated by the law.
The song is a critique of rebellion and an affirmation of the power of the state. The man's attempts to break free from the law are futile and only result in his downfall. The song ends with a final repetition of the hook, underscoring the finality of the man's defeat.
Overall, "I Fought the Law" is a powerful song with a message that still resonates today. It reminds us that the law is always more powerful than the individual and that rebellion in the face of authority is rarely successful.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I am working hard and enduring tough conditions.
I fought the law and the law won
I tried to go against authority, but ultimately they won and I faced consequences.
I fought the law and the law won
I continued to resist the law even though I knew it would lead to my defeat.
I needed money 'cause I had none
My financial situation was dire and I had no other choice than to resort to illegal means.
I fought the law and the law won
I persisted in my defiance of the law and suffered the consequences.
I fought the law and the law won
I never gave up my battle against authority, even when it was clear I would lose.
I left my baby and it feels so bad
I had to leave someone I loved dearly, and it caused me great pain.
Guess my race is run
I have outlived my usefulness, and the end is near.
She's the best girl that I ever had
I had someone special in my life, but now she is gone.
I fought the law and the law won
Even when I lost everything, I refused to stop my battle against the law.
I fought the law and the law won
My strong will and determination to resist authority ultimately could not overcome the consequences of my actions.
Robbin' people with a six-gun
I resorted to extreme and violent measures to get what I wanted.
I fought the law and the law won
My violent and illegal methods only led to more trouble with the authorities.
I fought the law and the law won
Even after suffering the consequences of my actions, I continued to resist the law.
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
I not only lost the love of my life, but I also lost the things that used to bring me joy.
I fought the law and the law won
No matter how many times I tried to resist, the law always came out on top.
I fought the law and the law won
I never gave up my fight against the law, no matter how hopeless it seemed.
I fought the law and the law won
My stubbornness and refusal to accept defeat ultimately led to my downfall.
I fought the law and the law won
Even though it was clear that the law was unbeatable, I continued to resist.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sonny Curtis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind