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 β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Keith Levene β lead guitar
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes β drums, percussion
1977
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes β drums, percussion
1977-1982 Classic line-up
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Topper Headon β drums, percussion
1982-1983
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes β drums, percussion
1983
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard β drums, percussion
1983-1986 Final line-up
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Nick Sheppard β lead guitar, backing vocals
Vince White β lead guitar
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard β drums, percussion
Drug-Stabbing Time
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I got working on the Ford line
A paying off the big fine
Drug stabbin' time
Drug stabbin' time
Is from nine to nine
Nobody wants a user
So kick him out that door
An' don't answer it no more
Drug stabbin' time
It's a Greenwich Mean Time
Your friends all hate each other you think
You've got another
But who's at the door?
Don't answer it no more
Drug stabbin' time
In a bedroom crime
There's a tape recording on a telephone line
An' it's ringin' from the floor
So don't answer it no more
Now I was lying in my room
It was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside
Comes to a stop like, skreeee
Someone's in a hurry
'N someone better worry
'Cos these four guys all had on their feet
A pair of black shoes shining and neat
I thinks
Black shoes on
No that's bad news
Here they come charging up the stairs alright
Sonny just tell us where
Drug stabbin' time
Don't ask me mate
Working on the ford line
Paying off the big fine
Drug stabbin' time
The Clash's song Drug-Stabbing Time is a reflection of the dark subculture of drug addiction in London in the late 1970s, where the drug scene was rampant and heroin addiction was becoming an increasing problem. The lyrics are grim, describing the consequences of drug addiction - the alienation from society, the financial burden of fines, and the potential for violent crime. The phrase "drug-stabbing time" implies an imminent danger connected to drug use, as wasting away on drugs leads to danger and may result in a violent end.
The song describes three different scenarios. The first is the Ford line, where the singer is described as working hard to pay off a big fine. However, the singer knows that the manβs money is going towards drugs, and he warns of the consequences of drug addiction. The second scenario is set at 9 pm, which is implied to be "drug-stabbing time". The message is clear - people who do drugs are not welcome by society, and they are likely to be kicked out or even worse. In the third scenario, the singer is lying in his room listening to tapes of telephones, hearing the sound of car engines, and knowing that something bad is going to happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Drug stabbing time
A warning that it is time to get high, but be careful because there are risks involved.
Well I got working on the Ford line
I started working on the assembly line for Ford to make money.
A paying off the big fine
I'm using the money I make from working to pay off a large fine I owe.
Drug stabbin' time
A reminder that it's time to get high.
Drug stabbin' time
A warning that it's dangerous to use drugs from 9am to 9pm.
Nobody wants a user
No one wants to be associated with someone who uses drugs.
Nobody needs a loser
No one wants to be around someone who is constantly losing due to drug use.
So kick him out that door
If someone is using drugs, escort them out of your life.
An' don't answer it no more
Do not let them back into your life or answer their calls.
Drug stabbin' time
A reminder that drug use is happening all the time.
It's a Greenwich Mean Time
This is happening in every location around the globe.
Your friends all hate each other you think
Your friends that are using drugs are constantly fighting.
You've got another
You think you have another friend to replace those that are using drugs.
But who's at the door?
You are worried that the people at the front door are the drug users trying to get back in.
Don't answer it no more
Make sure you do not let them back in your life.
Drug stabbin' time
Time for more drug use.
In a bedroom crime
Drug use often leads to criminal activity taking place in the bedroom.
There's a tape recording on a telephone line
There is likely evidence of the criminal activity on a phone tap.
An' it's ringin' from the floor
The person on the other line is calling from the ground floor.
So don't answer it no more
Make sure you don't answer the phone because it could be incriminating.
Now I was lying in my room
I was resting in my room.
It was raining drugs all afternoon
There were plenty of drugs available and being used throughout the long afternoon.
I hear this car pull up outside
A car has just pulled up outside my door.
Comes to a stop like, skreeee
It comes to a screeching halt.
Someone's in a hurry
The people in the car are in a rush.
N someone better worry
This should make us all concerned.
'Cos these four guys all had on their feet
The car contains four dangerous individuals.
A pair of black shoes shining and neat
They are all wearing polished black shoes that indicate they mean business.
I thinks
I am guessing what their intention is.
Black shoes on
The black shoes are a bad sign.
No that's bad news
This indicates that something bad is about to happen.
Here they come charging up the stairs alright
The dangerous individuals are coming to your room to cause harm.
Sonny just tell us where
The men want to know about drugs and where to find them.
Drug stabbin' time
A reminder to use drugs, despite the dangerous situation.
Don't ask me mate
I do not have any information for them and do not want to get involved.
Working on the ford line
I am currently working on the assembly line for Ford.
Paying off the big fine
I am using the money from working to slowly pay off a large fine that I owe.
Drug stabbin' time
Despite the danger, it's time to use drugs.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jeff
Most underrated Clash track
Diego Guerrero
My favorite anti-drug song. π€
bug Green
I love this song because it sounds like if a gang fight was written into The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Aaron Madrigal
I'm currently addicted to this song
Aaron Madrigal
So catchy
Wm Senior
An Oldie but a Goodie. Such sentimental memories.
Ociel Garcia
Just the right amount of cowbell
Kryss The Alien
πππ
GriefTourist
Magnificent long live the Clash
Zzz Zzz
The clash one of my favorite bands R.I.P Joe Strummer rocken forever blessings to everyone and Mick Jones Paul Simonon Topper Headon and
All the rest of the band of the clash God bless Everyone forever Golden Thank you Clash