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
Dictator
The Clash Lyrics
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Yes I am the liquidator I carry the old Beretta
You know there once was freedom
You know how dangerous that can be
The people used to dance and sing
And they used to run wild in the streets
But now I am the voice
Howling from your radio
You'll hear what I say goes
Yes I am the dictator I satisfy the U.S. team
I always do my killing in the woods and keep the city gutters clean
Cause I need a few more dollars
For my fighter pilot to be free
To dive bomb on the population
If they go running wild in the streets
Yes I am that voice, etc
Yes I am the crusader I spent twenty years in exile
But now I am the invader and I'm never never gonna die
Yes I am the dictator my name is on your ballot sheet
But until my box has your cross you know the form is incomplete
And you know, etc
The Clash's song Dictator is a scathing critique of totalitarianism, specifically the dictatorial regimes of Latin America in the 1970s and the role of the United States in supporting these regimes. The lyrics of the song are spoken from the point of view of the dictator, who asserts his authority, his power and his control over the population. This is expressed through the use of violent imagery, with the dictator boasting about his guns, his Beretta and his fighter pilot, as well as his control of the media and the populace.
The lyrics also convey a sense of despair and hopelessness about the situation, with the singer acknowledging the loss of freedom and the futility of resistance. They describe a time in the past when there was freedom, when people danced and sang, but now the dictator's voice is the only one heard, howling from the radio in his armored Cadillac. Despite his assertion of power, the singer also acknowledges his dependence on the US, who he claims to satisfy, and on his own people, who must vote for him to legitimize his rule.
This song also underscores The Clash's commitment to social politics, championing the rights of the oppressed and marginalized in society, and using their music as a platform for raising awareness about socio-political issues. The lyrics highlight the brutality and the destructive effects of dictatorial regimes, and the complicity of the US government in supporting these regimes through military aid and trade.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes I am the dictator the more guns I got the better
I am the one in charge and I believe that having more power will keep me in control.
Yes I am the liquidator I carry the old Beretta
I am a killer and I always carry my gun with me.
You know there once was freedom
There was a time in the past where people were free to do what they wanted.
You know how dangerous that can be
People having too much freedom can be dangerous.
The people used to dance and sing
People were happy and enjoyed their lives.
And they used to run wild in the streets
People could roam the streets freely without fear.
But now I am the voice
I am the one in charge and my voice is the only one that matters.
Howling from your radio
I use propaganda to spread my message on the radio.
From my armor plated Cadillac
I have a luxurious car that is well protected.
You'll hear what I say goes
My word is law and you have to follow it.
Yes I am the dictator I satisfy the U.S. team
I keep my allies in power by doing what the US wants.
I always do my killing in the woods and keep the city gutters clean
I kill people in secret and make sure that the streets are clean.
Cause I need a few more dollars
I am always hungry for more money.
For my fighter pilot to be free
I need money to keep my military in power.
To dive bomb on the population
I will use violence to control the people.
If they go running wild in the streets
If people rebel and take to the streets I will use violence to stop them.
Yes I am that voice, etc
I am always in control and my word is law.
Yes I am the crusader I spent twenty years in exile
I have returned from exile to take power.
But now I am the invader and I'm never never gonna die
I am in power and I will never give it up.
Yes I am the dictator my name is on your ballot sheet
I control the voting process and my name is the only one on the ballot.
But until my box has your cross you know the form is incomplete
Until you vote for me, your vote is incomplete and doesn't matter.
And you know, etc
I am always in charge and my word is law.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernard Rhodes, Joe Strummer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind