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
11 Remote Control
The Clash Lyrics
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From the Civic Hall
Push a button
Activate
You gotta work and you're late
It's so grey in London town
Panda car crawling around
Eleven o'clock
Where can we go now?
Can't make no noise
Can't get no gear
Can't make no money
Can't get outta here
Big business, it don't like you
It don't like the things you do
You got no money
So you got no power
They think you're useless
And so you are, punk
They had a meeting in Mayfair
They got you down and wanna keep you there
It makes them worried
Their bank accounts
It's all that matters
You don't count
Can't make no progress
Can't get ahead
Can't stop the regress
Don't wanna be dead
Look out, those rules and regulations
Who needs the Parliament?
Sitting making laws all day
They're all fat and old
Queuing for the House of Lords
Repression, gonna start on Tuesday
Repression, gonna be a Dalek
Repression, I am a robot
Repression, I obey
The Clash's "Remote Control" is a revolutionary punk rock song that explicitly condemns the oppressive nature of big businesses, politicians, and the state. The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones in 1977 and was included on the band's self-titled debut album. The lyrics open by questioning the purpose of a remote control and why anyone would need it, followed by an image of a Panda car crawling around London town. The song then addresses the struggle of the working class, their lack of power, and the constant fear of repression.
The chorus speaks about the inability to make progress, noise, gear or money, and the feeling of being stuck within the societal structure. The second verse delves into the inner workings of business meetings and how they aim to keep the working class down so that they cannot usurp their power. The bridge calls out the uselessness of parliament, and how they spend their days making laws instead of making meaningful changes. The final verse is an image of future repression, an authoritarian state, run by robots that strictly enforce rules and regulations.
"Remote Control" is a politically charged song that criticizes the government, corporations, and the ruling class. The Clash has always been known for its political stance and social commentary, but this song goes one step further than the rest. It directly addresses the working class, their plight, and how they will continue to face oppression unless they unite against the ruling classes to affect change. It's a powerful anthem for the marginalized and disenfranchised.
Line by Line Meaning
Who needs remote control?
Who actually needs to be controlled by someone else?
From the Civic Hall
Someone is coming from a public meeting place
Push a button
Carry out an action with a simple gesture
Activate
Initiate a process or device that does something remotely
You gotta work and you're late
You have to work and you're running out of time
It's so grey in London town
The city of London is a dull, gloomy place
Panda car crawling around
Police car is slowly patrolling the area.
Here it comes
Something unpleasant or oppressive is approaching
Eleven o'clock
The time is now 11PM
Where can we go now?
Where is a safe place where we can avoid being oppressed by others?
Can't make no noise
It's not possible to make any noise
Can't get no gear
Unable to acquire any tools to make things better
Can't make no money
There's no way to make any income
Can't get outta here
Can't escape from one's current situation
Big business, it don't like you
Large corporations have no interest in supporting you
It don't like the things you do
Their interests don't align with yours
You got no money
Lack of wealth
So you got no power
Without money, you lack the ability to have influence
They think you're useless
In the eyes of those with power, you are worthless
And so you are, punk
As a member of a counterculture who opposes the status quo, you have very little value
They had a meeting in Mayfair
The upper class had a meeting in an affluent part of London
They got you down and wanna keep you there
They have managed to suppress you, and now they want to continue to do so
It makes them worried
The idea of losing their power to those they view as undeserving terrifies them
Their bank accounts
They are motivated by money and nothing else
It's all that matters
Money is the only thing they care about
You don't count
You have no influence and your opinions do not matter
Can't make no progress
Without the necessary resources or support, there is no way to make any progress
Can't get ahead
It is impossible to get ahead in life
Can't stop the regress
Without any external help, it is impossible to put an end to the negative developments that are occurring
Don't wanna be dead
They don't want to end up losing their lives or dying
Look out, those rules and regulations
Be aware of all the rules, norms and restrictions imposed by those in power.
Who needs the Parliament?
Why do we need a bunch of people who sit around making laws all day long?
Sitting making laws all day
Parliament sits around and makes laws all day, which is boring
They're all fat and old
Most politicians are out of touch and far removed from the reality of everyday people.
Queuing for the House of Lords
Politicians literally wait in line for their chance to sit in the House of Lords.
Repression, gonna start on Tuesday
Oppression is going to start on a particular day
Repression, gonna be a Dalek
Oppression is going to be relentless, like a Dalek from Doctor Who
Repression, I am a robot
Those who are in power are like robots, blindly following a script, and enforcing the oppressive laws
Repression, I obey
They are firmly committed to oppression, and will follow through with it in a cold and unfeeling manner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind