Deny
The Clash Lyrics


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Deny
You're such a liar
You won't know the truth if it hits you in the eye
Deny
You're such a liar
You're selling your no-no all the time

You said we were going out
To the 100 Club
Then you said it ain't my scene
But then you turned up alone
Then you turned up alone

Deny
You're such a liar
Won't know the truth if it hits you in the street
Deny
You're such a liar
You're selling your no-no all the time

Then you said you'd given it up
Gone an' kicked it in the head
You said you ain't had none for weeks
Baby, I seen your arms
Baby, I seen your arms

Deny
You're such a liar
Won't know the truth if it hits you in the eye
Deny
You're such a liar
Selling your no-no all the time

Do you think I'm a raving idiot?
Just got off the boat
Step in line, sign this form, baby ain't got a hope
You ain't got a hope

(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar) deny, you're such a liar
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar) deny, lie, lie, lie, lie
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)




(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)

Overall Meaning

The Clash's classic tune 'Deny' is a direct shot at someone the lead singer sees as a liar and a manipulator. The lyrics suggest that this person is always trying to pull a fast one and con people into believing their lies. The opening lines "Deny, you're such a liar / You won't know the truth if it hits you in the eye" establish the tone of the song right from the outset, indicating that the person they're addressing is so committed to their lies that they'd rather stick to them than face up to the truth.


The song then goes on to recount various instances where the singer has been burned by this individual's mendacity. They mention being stood up at the 100 Club, where the person in question had seemingly promised to go out and then backed out at the last minute. The song also references drug use, with the implication that the person had claimed to have quit, only for the singer to see the evidence of their ongoing drug habit in their arms.


Line by Line Meaning

Deny
The singer is calling out the subject of the song to deny the lies that they have been telling.


You're such a liar
The subject of the song is being accused of lying.


You won't know the truth if it hits you in the eye
The subject is so used to lying that they are not able to recognize the truth even when it is obvious.


You're selling your no-no all the time
The subject is selling a product, possibly a drug, which is illegal or frowned upon.


You said we were going out to the 100 Club
The subject said they were going to a concert venue with the singer.


Then you said it ain't my scene
The subject then claimed that the venue was not their style or preference.


But then you turned up alone
The subject went to the venue without the singer.


Won't know the truth if it hits you in the street
The subject is so used to lying that they are not able to recognize the truth even when it is obvious and in plain sight.


Then you said you'd given it up
The subject claimed to have stopped using a certain drug or substance.


Gone an' kicked it in the head
The subject stopped using the drug or substance abruptly.


You said you ain't had none for weeks
The subject also claimed that they have not used the substance for several weeks.


Baby, I seen your arms
The singer knows that the subject is lying because they have seen physical evidence of the drug or substance use on the subject's arms.


Do you think I'm a raving idiot?
The singer questions if the subject thinks that they are naive or easily fooled.


Just got off the boat
The singer implies that the subject is new to the area or not experienced enough to fool them.


Step in line, sign this form, baby ain't got a hope
The singer dismisses the subject as someone who cannot deceive or outsmart them.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar) deny, you're such a liar
The singer repeats the accusation of lying towards the subject.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar) deny, lie, lie, lie, lie
The singer continues to accuse the subject of lying.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.


(What a liar, what a liar, what a liar)
The singer reiterates the subject's dishonesty.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Gentilly Girl

"The Truth hits you in the Heart." Great lyrics. It is true to me NOW.

hinge berr

The truth hits you in the eye mate

Aldo Cerreti

The truth ......in a eye.

JazzAndRockNRoll

Best pure punk album ever!

Sir Jelly Beans 1st

@Andy Lowe Dirty Punk on Cut the Crap is a great Track in my opinion

Andy Lowe

@dermot51 Only cut the crap can be seen as a disappointment. The Clash evolved and sang about where they were on Give em enough rope. Plenty Brilliant Clash songs on there. Cany fill 5 albums about bein unemployed. Every albums an evolution of the band. Shoulda took a holiday after Combat Rock but no matter what... warts n all the last thing they were was a disappointment 🖕✊ a way of life ✊

Klara Klinge

@dermot51 there's only one disappointment. Cut the crap, zu deutsch: hör auf mit dem scheiß. Auf dem Album war der Name Programm.

sexy beast 43

@dermot51 Ur joking right. Did u just say 'give em enough rope' was a disappointment?

Thomas Andersen

@Aleksandar Djuric Imagine going from this to Cut the crap in 7-8 years....a reverse Beatles

3 More Replies...

Ari Sizemore

this is amazing

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