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
Crooked Beat
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Across the river to South London
To dance to the latest hi-fi sound
Of bass, guitar and drum
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure off
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
Take a piece of cloth, a coin for thirst
With a cymbal splash, a word of truth
And a rocking bass and drum
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure on
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
So one by one they come on down
From the tower blocks of my home town
Stepping with the rhythm of the rockers beat
Drowning out the pressure of the crooked beat
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the tension on
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
It has crooked past this crooked street
Where cars patrol this crooked beat
Badges flash and sirens wail
They'll be taking one and all to jail
Prance! Prance! You want a law to dance?
The Clash's "The Crooked Beat" is an ode to the South London subculture of rockers, which peaked in the 1960s. The song is about the joy of going out and finding relief in the music and the community it creates. It describes a midnight run to South London to dance to the latest hi-fi sound of bass, guitar, and drum, to step in and out of the crooked beat. This beat is a metaphor for the obstacles and pressures of everyday life, which can be forgotten in the liberation and catharsis of dance.
The second verse describes the preparations for the night ahead, with people grabbing pieces of cloth and coins for thirst, knowing that the sweat will start to run when they start dancing to the driving rhythm of the rockers beat. The crooked beat is again described as the antidote to the pressure of life, and the place where people can find relief from its burdens. The third verse portrays the community spirit of the rockers culture, with people coming down from the tower blocks of the town, stepping with the rhythm of the rockers beat, and drowning out the pressure of the crooked beat.
The final verse takes a darker turn, as the crooked beat is projected onto the streets, where the patrol cars patrol, the badges flash, and the sirens wail. The freedom and relief of the dance are contrasted with the authoritarianism and oppression of law enforcement. The final line "Prance! Prance! You want a law to dance?" is challenging the authorities who seek to control and repress people's expression and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Start the car lets make a midnight run
Let's go on a late-night drive
Across the river to South London
Driving to South London
To dance to the latest hi-fi sound
Going to dance to the newest music
Of bass, guitar and drum
Listening to a band with a bass, guitar and drums
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure off
Looking for music that can relieve stress
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
Dancing to the song's unusual rhythm
Take a piece of cloth, a coin for thirst
Bring something to wipe sweat and money for drinks
For the sweat will start to run
Expecting to sweat while dancing
With a cymbal splash, a word of truth
The band plays a cymbal sound, singing honest lyrics
And a rocking bass and drum
The band plays a strong bass and drums
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure on
Looking for music to handle stress
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
Dancing on the song's unusual rhythm
So one by one they come on down
People arrive one by one
From the tower blocks of my home town
From the high-rise buildings in the author's hometown
Stepping with the rhythm of the rockers beat
Dancing on the beat of the rockers
Drowning out the pressure of the crooked beat
Blocking out the stress of the song's strange rhythm
It has crooked past this crooked street
This street has a history of dishonesty
Where cars patrol this crooked beat
Police cars monitor this area
Badges flash and sirens wail
Police lights and sirens are active
They'll be taking one and all to jail
The police will arrest anyone breaking the law
Prance! Prance! You want a law to dance?
Making a statement about the police's strictness at clubs
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, PAUL SIMONON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@camiloalbertohernandezfaut4798
Enciende el auto, hagamos una carrera de medianoche.
Start the car lets make a midnight run
Al otro lado del río hacia el sur de Londres
Across the river to South London
Para bailar con el último sonido de alta fidelidad
To dance to the latest hi-fi sound
De bajo, guitarra y batería
Of bass, guitar and drum
Buscando un ritmo que pueda aliviar la presión
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure off
Entrando y saliendo de ese ritmo torcido y torcido
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
Toma un trozo de tela, una moneda para la sed.
Take a piece of cloth, a coin for thirst
Porque el sudor empezará a correr
For the sweat will start to run
Con un toque de platillo, una palabra de verdad
With a cymbal splash, a word of truth
Y un bajo y un tambor rockeros
And a rocking bass and drum
Buscando un ritmo que pueda soportar la presión
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure on
Entrando y saliendo de ese ritmo torcido y torcido
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
Entonces uno por uno van bajando
So one by one they come on down
Desde las torres de mi ciudad natal
From the tower blocks of my home town
Caminando al ritmo del ritmo de los rockeros.
Stepping with the rhythm of the rockers beat
Ahogando la presión del ritmo torcido
Drowning out the pressure of the crooked beat
Buscando un ritmo que pueda soportar la tensión.
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the tension on
Entrando y saliendo de ese ritmo torcido y torcido
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat
Ha pasado por esta calle torcida
It has crooked past this crooked street
Donde los autos patrullan este ritmo torcido
Where cars patrol this crooked beat
Las insignias parpadean y las sirenas suenan
Badges flash and sirens wail
Llevarán a todos y cada uno a la cárcel.
They'll be taking one and all to jail
¡Cabriola!
Prance!
¡Cabriola!
Prance!
¿Quieres una ley para bailar?
You want a law to dance?
Fuente: LyricFind
Compositores: Joe Strummer / Paul Simonon
Letra de The Crooked Beat © Universal Music Publishing Group
@geekUSA101
Topper Headon = underrated drummer, he's got great chops
@casncage
This is one of my favs from Sandinista. Although the whole album is pure class :)
@thomasandersen6719
side one and two were great but the rest is utter garbage
@davebeach2343
This remains one of my favorite Clash songs. Poor kids trying to release pent up anger story with that bass line sounds real today. Thanks
@user-ow9sf1up4z
あーーーーーーー‼︎‼︎‼︎もー、これ大好きなんだよぉぉぉおぉぉおーーーー‼︎
CLASH最高。ずっと大好き。
@92krusher
So implement and yet so magical….One of the best songs by The Clash, Mikey Dread really rounded the dub feeling out completely. This album was so innovative especially given the Era it came out in. It’s so punk because it’s so different and isn’t that what punk is at the core? Being yourself regardless of perception.
@Evandrovacco
Clash eterno❤️
@RebeccaCoolidge
So underrated
@dw4353
Here before a million views anyone?
@lourdesrivera2351
Relevant today.