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
17. Safe European Home
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who dat Martian arrival at the airport, yeah? (where'd ya go?)
How many local dollars for a local anesthetic? (where'd ya go?)
The Johnny on the corner wasn't very sympathetic (where'd ya go?)
I went to the place where every white face
Is an invitation to robbery
And sitting here in my safe European home
Wasn't I lucky, wouldn't it be loverly? (where'd ya go?)
Send us all cards, have a laying-in on Sunday (where'd ya go?)
I was there for two weeks, so how come I never tell, now? (where'd ya go?)
That natty dread drink at the Sheraton hotel, yeah (where'd ya go?)
I went to the place where every white face
Is an invitation to robbery
And sitting here in my safe European home
Don't want to go back there again
They got the sun, and they got the palm trees (where'd ya go?)
They got the weed, and they got the taxis (where'd ya go?)
Whoa, the harder they come, the home of ol' bluebeat (where'd ya go?)
I'd stay and be a tourist but I can't take the gunplay (where'd ya go?)
I went to the place where every white face
Is an invitation to robbery
And sitting here in my safe European home
Don't want to go back there again
What?
Rudie come from Jamaica, Rudie can't fail
Rudie come from Jamaica, Rudie can't fail
Rudie come from Jamaica, 'cause Rudie can't fail
Rudie come From Jamaica, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie come From Jamaica, Rudie can't fail (explosive European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (twenty-four track European home)
Elder come and a-Rudie go, no one knows where the policeman's go
The Clash's song Safe European Home is a commentary on the privileges and ignorance of white tourists in foreign countries, particularly Jamaica. The opening lines of the song talk about the feeling of not wanting to leave, and the confusion and fear of encountering unfamiliar people, like the "Martian arrival" at the airport. The lyrics also refer to the exchange of local currency for "a local anesthetic" and the unsympathetic attitude of a local Johnny. The song describes the experience of being a white tourist in a non-white country, where one is both privileged and vulnerable to violence and robbery. It then contrasts this with the safety and comfort of "sitting here in my safe European home," highlighting the ignorance and apathy that comes with being removed from the realities of less privileged people.
The chorus repeats several times, emphasizing the theme of white privilege and the danger faced by those who are not part of it. The verses also mention various aspects of Jamaican culture, from the music genre bluebeat to the weed and taxis. Despite this appreciation of Jamaican culture, the singer admits that they cannot ignore the gunplay that comes with it. The song ends with a repetition of the phrase "Rudie come from Jamaica, Rudie can't fail," which refers to a Jamaican term for a working-class man who is determined to succeed despite having limited resources. The final line, "Elder come and a-Rudie go, no one knows where the policeman's go," is a nod to the complex and violent reality of Jamaican life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I just got back and I wish I'd never leave now (where'd ya go?)
I recently returned from a place where I had a traumatic experience and I regret ever going there
Who dat Martian arrival at the airport, yeah? (where'd ya go?)
Who is that stranger at the airport who seems out of place and lost, like an alien?
How many local dollars for a local anesthetic? (where'd ya go?)
How much money does it take to numb the pain of the memories of the place I visited?
The Johnny on the corner wasn't very sympathetic (where'd ya go?)
The law enforcement officer on the street didn't seem to care about my safety or well-being in the area I visited
I went to the place where every white face
Is an invitation to robbery
And sitting here in my safe European home
Don't want to go back there again
I visited a place where being white made me a target for theft and violence, and now that I am back in my safe European home, I have no desire to return
Wasn't I lucky, wouldn't it be loverly? (where'd ya go?)
A sarcastic comment about how fortunate life would be if I had stayed in my safe, comfortable European home instead of venturing to the dangerous place I recently visited
Send us all cards, have a laying-in on Sunday (where'd ya go?)
A suggestion to send postcards to friends and family back home, inviting them to a gathering to celebrate my safe return
I was there for two weeks, so how come I never tell, now? (where'd ya go?)
Even though I spent a significant amount of time in the place that traumatized me, I don't want to talk about what happened there now that I am back home
That natty dread drink at the Sheraton hotel, yeah (where'd ya go?)
A reference to trying to find comfort in a famous, luxurious hotel chain in the area I visited
They got the sun, and they got the palm trees (where'd ya go?)
They got the weed, and they got the taxis (where'd ya go?)
Whoa, the harder they come, the home of ol' bluebeat (where'd ya go?)
I'd stay and be a tourist but I can't take the gunplay (where'd ya go?)
The location I visited had beautiful scenery, easy access to marijuana and transportation, and a vibrant music scene, but the violence and danger of the area made me unable to fully enjoy it as a tourist
Rudie come from Jamaica, Rudie can't fail
Rudie come from Jamaica, Rudie can't fail
Rudie come from Jamaica, 'cause Rudie can't fail
Rudie come From Jamaica, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (European home)
Rudie come From Jamaica, Rudie can't fail (explosive European home)
Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie, Rudie can't fail (twenty-four track European home)
Elder come and a-Rudie go, no one knows where the policeman's go
A repetitive chorus reflecting the persona's desire to feel confident and capable like Rudie, a Jamaican archetype, even in the safety of his European home. The final line about the uncertain whereabouts of the authorities suggests a lack of trust in the justice system or the effectiveness of law enforcement in the country he visited.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind