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, even though it was released near the end of 1979 at first (technically, Jan 1980, in the United States).
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. This was officially confirmed in 2003, when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their five big albums from their heyday ('The Clash', 'Give 'Em Enough Rope', 'London Calling', 'Sandinista!', and 'Combat Rock') continue to earn a great deal of interest from rock fans into the new millennium.
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
Deny
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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)
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
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
Ari Sizemore
this is amazing