Lyrically, it's possible that Joe Strummer was taking inspiration from the 1966 song "Friday On My Mind" by the Easybeats, which he covered many times in the 101ers, the band he was in before he joined The Clash.
"48 Hours" was quite an inspirational song in the Punk community - the popular punk fanzine 48 Thrills took its name from the chorus lyrics of this song, unsurprising seeing as the editor Adrian Thrills toured extensively with The Clash throughout 1977. He would later take it professional and turn it into a weekly column in the NME magazine. The song also inspired the Jam's "Here Comes The Weekend" and Sham 69's "Hurry Up Harry (Come On)."
Guitarist Mick Jones joked in the Westway to the World documentary that "48 Hours" only took about 24 minutes to write. This was obviously a tongue-in-cheek comment, but it is true that a lot of songs on their debut album were written very quickly, and judging by the simplicity of the song's structure, it's probably the case that it was written very quickly.
48 Hours
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Short space of time needs a heavy scene
Monday is coming like a jail on wheels
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Thrills
So tell me an' I'll take the tube
You know a girl, yeah well she's bound to be rude
Can't get nothing at the places I've been
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Thrills
Thrills
I've combed this town from top to bottom
Try to get around but my legs are broken
Every time I miss it 'cause I ain't got a ticket
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Thrills
The forty-eight thrills
Cheap thrills
Any kind of thrill
Kicking for kicks
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Thrills
The Clash's song "48 Hours" is a fast-paced and energetic track that captures the buzz of London's punk scene in the late 1970s. The lyrics describe a weekend of wild nights, searching for thrills and excitement in the city. The mention of Friday or Saturday at the beginning of the song sets the scene for what is to come - a short space of time that needs a heavy scene.
As the lyrics progress, the description of Monday coming "like a jail on wheels" creates a sense of urgency and the need to make the most of the time available. The repetition of the phrase "forty-eight hours needs forty-eight thrills" highlights the desire for excitement, and the frustration of not being able to find it easily. The mention of a girl who is "bound to be rude" suggests that the singer is looking for trouble and risk, something that he is struggling to find.
The final lines of the song describe the singer's exhaustion and disappointment as he combs the city in search of thrills, but always seems to miss out. The repetition of the phrase "forty-eight hours needs forty-eight thrills" takes on a more desperate tone, and the inclusion of the phrase "cheap thrills" suggests that the singer is willing to settle for anything, just as long as it gives him a kick.
Overall, the lyrics of "48 Hours" capture the spirit of punk - a desire to break free from the monotony and conformity of everyday life, and to live fast and loud.
Line by Line Meaning
Friday or Saturday, what does that mean?
The specific day of the weekend does not matter, as long as there is excitement within a short period of time.
Short space of time needs a heavy scene
The limited time available requires a high-intensity and thrilling experience.
Monday is coming like a jail on wheels
The approaching work week is akin to imprisonment and confinement.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
The span of two days requires a corresponding number of thrilling activities.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the above line.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the above line.
Thrills
The activities sought after and desired for enjoyment.
Forty-eight thrills
There must be a thrill for every hour of the two-day period.
So tell me an' I'll take the tube
If you suggest a place to go, I will use public transportation to get there.
You know a girl, yeah well she's bound to be rude
You may know someone who is unpleasant, but that does not deter me from seeking a good time.
Can't get nothing at the places I've been
The existing locations visited thus far have not provided adequate entertainment.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the earlier emphasis on the necessity of forty-eight separate activities.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the above line.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the above line.
Thrills
The same emphasis on seeking and enjoying various types of exciting activities.
Thrills
An additional reinforcement of the importance of having exciting experiences.
I've combed this town from top to bottom
Every corner of the town has been explored and searched thoroughly.
Try to get around but my legs are broken
Physical exhaustion has limited the ability to move about and explore further.
Every time I miss it 'cause I ain't got a ticket
The opportunity for enjoyment is lost due to an inability to gain entry or access to an event or location.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Restating the need for a multitude of thrilling activities in the short time available.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the earlier statement.
Forty-eight hours needs forty-eight
Repetition of the above line.
Thrills
A final call to action to seek and embrace thrilling experiences of any kind.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boreal
Someone should make a 48 hour version
RedGoldGreen-Dub1975
Great song 😎👍🏻
Galaxy
2 comentários mds ninguém valoriza essas músicas fodas
HdR
yuki _ não sabem o que estão perdendo
southlondon63
Unfortunately corporate companies want to work at weekends , when this song was recorded shops closed at 2:30 pm on a Sunday .This and Here Comes The Weekend by The Jam are long distant happier memories
nature explorer.
There's only so much trash that one can consume in ones lifetime
Segi gise
Friday or Saturday, what does that mean?
Short space of time needs a heavy scene
Monday is coming like a jail on wheels
VINCENZO DAIUTO
vi amo ❤❤❤❤
MisterDabs
0:50 "La Voz de los '80" y "Quién Mató A Marilyn" nació desde aquí...
ricardo mafioso belmont cassinelli
La Voz de los 80 mas bien tiene influencia de una cancion de The Gizmos de 1976.