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
Death or Glory
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world
Ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl
"Love 'n' hate" tattooed across the knuckles of his hands
Hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand how
Death or glory becomes just another story
And every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
But I believe in this and it's been tested by research
He who fucks nuns will later join the church
Death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory becomes just another story
Fear in the gun sights
They say "lie low"
You say "okay"
Don't wanna play a show
No other thinking
Was it death or glory now?
Playing the blues of kings
Sure looks better now
Death or glory, just another story
Death or glory, just another story
In every dingy basement on every dingy street
Every dragging hand clap over every dragging beat
That's just the beat of time, beat that must go on
If you've been trying for years we already heard your song
Death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory, just another story
Gotta march a long way
Fight a long time
You got to travel over mountains
Got to travel over seas
We gonna fight your brother
We gonna fight 'til you loose
We gonna raise trouble
We gonna raise hell
We gonna fight your brother
Raise hell
Death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory becomes just another story
Death or glory, just another story
Death or glory becomes just another story
The Clash’s song “Death or Glory” has a powerful message that deals with various social issues. The lyrics talk about how every individual, even those from lower economic classes, end up making payments for their needs and desires. The song highlights how individuals tend to compromise their beliefs and principles to fulfill their desires. The lyrics also address the issue of abusive parents who slap their children around because they don't understand how "Death or glory becomes just another story."
The second verse of the song talks about the music industry where individuals seek fame and money by exploiting various gimmicks. The lyrics point out that those who seek quick success by indulging in unethical practices eventually fail. The lyrics suggest that by persisting with ethics and values, one can attain success that lasts.
The final verse seems to address a sense of apathy that some artists might feel when they are faced with daunting challenges. The song suggests that success requires hard work, and even when the going gets tough, individuals must continue to strive for their goals. The song encourages people to fight for what they believe in and ultimately achieve “death or glory.”
Line by Line Meaning
Now every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world
People who have little resort to desperate measures to survive
Ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl
They become stuck in cycles of making payments on material possessions or relationships
"Love 'n' hate" tattooed across the knuckles of his hands
The violence and anger of these individuals is a permanent part of their identity
Hands that slap his kids around 'cause they don't understand how
The children are suffering from their parents' frustrations and inability to cope
Death or glory becomes just another story
The idea of risking everything for success or dying trying has lost its meaning
And every gimmick hungry yob digging gold from rock 'n' roll
People who seek fame and fortune from the music industry are exploitative
Grabs the mike to tell us he'll die before he's sold
Their music may have integrity, but their motives are still self-centered
But I believe in this and it's been tested by research
People will go against their beliefs if it means benefiting themselves
He who fucks nuns will later join the church
People's ethical dilemmas are often hypocritical and situational
Fear in the gun sights
The band may be targeted for their controversial music
They say "lie low"
They are advised to avoid publicity to avoid further conflict
You say "okay"
The band agrees to this advice
Don't wanna play a show
The band is hesitant to perform due to safety concerns
No other thinking
They are solely focused on the dangerous situation
Was it death or glory now?
The band is starting to question whether the risks of performing are worth it
Playing the blues of kings
The band's music serves as a form of protest for society's injustices
Sure looks better now
The band's music is becoming more widely recognized and appreciated
In every dingy basement on every dingy street
Even in the most unassuming places, people are creating music and art
Every dragging hand clap over every dragging beat
People use music as a way to cope with their struggles and frustrations
That's just the beat of time, beat that must go on
Despite people's hardships, time continues to move forward, and so must people
If you've been trying for years we already heard your song
People's struggles and stories may be similar, and thus, their art may not be as unique as they believe
Gotta march a long way
The fight for justice and equality requires patience and perseverance
Fight a long time
People may have to fight for their entire lives to see change
You got to travel over mountains
People must overcome great obstacles to achieve their goals
Got to travel over seas
Their journey for justice may take them to unfamiliar and challenging places
We gonna fight your brother
The fight is against people who would oppose their cause
We gonna fight 'til you loose
They are willing to fight to the end to ensure justice prevails
We gonna raise trouble
They will not comply with unjust laws and will continue to protest
We gonna raise hell
They will push boundaries to ensure their voices are heard
Death or glory, just another story
The idea of risking everything for success or dying trying has lost its meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@golferrobd
As I turn 67, still my favorite all time song. I stop, pull over to the side of the road, absorb the lyrics and beat when I hear it on the radio.
@Gazmus
As I'm 30, this is now my favourite all time song, I shall pull over to the side of the road, go in to my dad's house and rob his CDs more often :)
@matthewstetson711
Great song and I wonder how often you hear it on the radio.
@TheCharlieSmithChannel
No shit, I have listen to this about 30 times today
@magnificentfailure2390
I tend to stick the accelerator pedal to the floor and try to achieve
one or the other. I'm 55 and I'm not getting any younger.
@CH-jq9su
You beat it every time you hear this song?
@beefheart1410
My stock line was always that The Clash could never do anything but make you feel good. Now I'm getting older (mid 50s) I've got to revise that opinion: listening to this tonight has only evoked melancholy for my youth and the era in which this glorious album appeared in the record racks. As Strummer says though, "It's just the beat of time and the beat that must go on". It happens to us all in the end....... If we're lucky!
@cozymonster6153
You put how I feel at 53 so perfectly. It's a bit of a cliche, but wasn't that a fucking great time to be alive? So many memories just rush in and it's both magic and sad. Sometimes I get angry that it wasn't a bigger deal when he died (well, perhaps to us). I get that wouldn't have really accomplished anything in the long run, but it felt like he never got his due.
@Straightdeal
I was a youthful 24 when this album was released. I am currently listening to this song, age 66!
@psychoholiday-ju1cp
49 signing in here. I got into the Sex Pistols along with Slayer and Metallica. But since Johnny Rotten said they were supposedly poseurs--I avoided them till 1999. Got the US version of the debut album. Having already dug The Pixies, Pavement--having grown up a The Beatles fan in the early '80s...I was completely BLOWN AWAY by the debut at 26yrs old. (Bought it for $2 at a used CD/tape/record store).
"London Calling" was even better. That crazy triple-record "Sandinista" was creative musical/rock-n-roll history. (Maybe their best! Rock NEEDED these guys as we were moving from the 70s to the 80s)