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
2. Hitsville U.K.
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up and down the land,
They stole guitars or used guitars
So the tape would understand,
Without even the slightest hope of a thousand sales
Just as if, as if there was, a Hitsville in U.K.,
I know the boy was all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
When lightening hits small wonder
Its fast rough factory trade,
No expense accounts, or lunch discounts
Or hyping up the charts,
The band went in, 'n knocked 'em dead, in 2 min. 59
- No slimy deals, with smarmy eels - in Hitsville U.K.
Lets shake'n say, we'll operate - in Hitsville U.K.
The mutants, creeps and musclemen,
Are shaking like a leaf,
It blows a hole in the radio,
When it hasn't sounded good all week,
A mike'n boom, in your living room - in Hitsville U.K.
No consumer trials, or A.O.R., in Hitsville U.K.,
Now the boys and girls are not alone,
Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
The Clash's song "Hitsville U.K." is an anthem to the grassroots music scene in the United Kingdom that exploded in the late 1970s. The song's lyrics describe the struggle and perseverance of young musicians and their fans as they worked to create an authentic and vibrant music scene in England. The chorus, "I know the boy was all alone, till the Hitsville hit U.K.," speaks to the idea that the emergence of Hitsville U.K. provided a home and sense of belonging for a generation of young music lovers.
The first verse describes the process of musicians coming together and creating music regardless of the prospect of commercial success. The second verse speaks to the resilience that is often born out of struggle in the creative process. The line "The mutants, creeps and musclemen, are shaking like a leaf" conveys the upheaval that occurred in the music industry when young punks and other non-conventional artists began to break through.
Overall, the song celebrates the power of community and the transformative effect that music can have on a generation. It is a tribute to the pioneers of the punk movement in the UK who shaped the future of rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
They cried the tears, they shed the fears, Up and down the land, They stole guitars or used guitars So the tape would understand,
Musicians across the UK have poured their hearts and souls into their craft, even resorting to stealing or using old guitars so that their message could be heard through the recordings.
Without even the slightest hope of a thousand sales Just as if, as if there was, a Hitsville in U.K., I know the boy was all alone, til the Hitsville hit U.K.
Despite the odds being stacked against them in a music industry known for ruthless exploitation and lack of support, these musicians continue to put their all into their work, hoping for even a glimmer of the success that seems to come easily to American music stars.
They say true talent will always emerge in time, When lightening hits small wonder
Despite the many obstacles to success, musicians know that true talent will always rise to the top eventually, and it only takes one electrifying spark to make it happen.
Its fast rough factory trade, No expense accounts, or lunch discounts Or hyping up the charts,
Music is not a glamorous profession in the UK, and success is rarely handed to artists on a silver platter. They have to work hard and fast, with little financial support or corporate backing along the way.
The band went in, 'n knocked 'em dead, in 2 min. 59
Despite the tough odds, some bands still manage to make it big with only a few minutes of a catchy, energizing song that resonates with the masses and catapults them to instant stardom.
No slimy deals, with smarmy eels - in Hitsville U.K. Lets shake'n say, we'll operate - in Hitsville U.K.
In the world of Hitsville UK, there are no shady deals or corrupt executives trying to take advantage of young artists. Everyone operates with integrity and honesty to foster a healthy music scene.
The mutants, creeps and musclemen, Are shaking like a leaf, It blows a hole in the radio, When it hasn't sounded good all week,
With the success of Hitsville UK, there is a shift in the music industry towards new and innovative sounds that challenge mainstream norms. Even the most established players are starting to feel the impact.
A mike'n boom, in your living room - in Hitsville U.K. No consumer trials, or A.O.R., in Hitsville U.K.,
Music is now accessible to the masses thanks to Hitsville UK, and instead of market testing or relying on radio stations to dictate musical trends, fans can experience raw, authentic music right in the comfort of their own homes.
Now the boys and girls are not alone, Now the Hitsville's hit U.K.
Thanks to the success and influence of Hitsville UK, musicians across the country no longer feel alone in their struggles to make it in the industry. They have a community of support and inspiration to draw from.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@somejohndoe3004
They cried the tears, they shed the fears
Up and down the land
They stole guitars or used guitars
So the tape would understand.
Without even
The slightest hope
Of a thousand sales
Just as if
As if there was
Hitsville in UK
I Know the boy was all alone
Till the Hitsville hit UK.
Remember
They say true talent
Will always emerge in time
When lightening hits small wonder
It's fast rough factory trade
No expense accounts
Or lunch discounts
Or hypeing up the charts
The band went in
And knocked 'em dead
In two minutes fifty-nine
I know the boy was all alone
Till the Hitsville hit UK
So hit it
No slimy deals
With smarmy eels
In Hitsville UK
Let's shake and say
We'll operate
In Hitsville UK
I know the boy felt all alone
Till the Hitsville hit UK
The mutants, creeps and muscle men
Are shaking like a leaf
It blows a hole in the radio
When it hasn't sounded good all week
A mike 'n' boom
In your living room
In Hitsville UK
No consumer trials
No A.O.R.
In Hitsville UK
I know the boy felt all alone
Till the Hitsville hit UK
Now the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville hit UK.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville hit UK.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville hit UK.
I know the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsville hit UK.
@NETOMAN47
Lloraron las lágrimas, derramaron los miedos
Arriba y abajo de la tierra
Robaron guitarras o usaron guitarras
Para que la cinta lo entienda
Sin la más mínima esperanza de mil ventas
Como si, como si hubiera, un Hitsville en el Reino Unido,
Sé que el chico estaba solo, hasta que Hitsville llegó al Reino Unido.
Dicen que el verdadero talento siempre surgirá con el tiempo
Cuando el rayo golpea pequeña maravilla
Su rápido y rudo comercio de fábrica,
Sin cuentas de gastos o descuentos para el almuerzo
O promocionando las listas
La banda entró y los dejó muertos en 2 min. 59
- No hay ofertas viscosas, con anguilas picantes - en Hitsville U.K.
Agitemos y digamos, operaremos - en Hitsville U.K.
Los mutantes, creeps y musculosos,
Están temblando como una hoja,
Hace un agujero en la radio
Cuando no ha sonado bien en toda la semana,
Un micrófono boom, en tu sala de estar, en Hitsville U.K.
Sin ensayos de consumidores, o A.O.R., en Hitsville U.K.,
Ahora los niños y niñas no están solos
Ahora el éxito de Hitsville en Reino Unido.
@alexrider1987
Criminally underrated tune. Was alive for 27 years before I found it
@DavidS-mb1ip
have you heard B.A.D.?
@gus8747
This is my favorite song in the album, the bass make my body want to dance
-new fans of the clash
@emiliacanet9960
Dance dance till you die
@xgreenxcloverx
That Motown swing!
@DavidS-mb1ip
and ellen folleys voice
@DavidS-mb1ip
you would love B.A.D- Big Audio Dynamite
@harenrussel
Blast from the past 😂🤗💯🙏 Anyone else grooving to The Clash in Feb 2022? So 'it it! Lol X ❤️
@confessionsofapsychocat
Yep cept now is June
@lyrimetacurl0
I remember singing it to myself in July 1999, when I was 9, there was a really beautiful girl in my brother's class who was interested in me but I wasn't until I was older and in my mind this was her theme tune, but I've never been able to contact her so I decided I would have this as my own theme tune 😂
As a tribute, her theme tune is the other Ellen Foley song (Paradise by the Dashboard Light). Another one that was a great childhood song.