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
Groovy Time
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An' the terrace it is fenced in
See-through shields are walled across
The way that you came in
But there's no need to get excited
As the lorries bring the bacon in
'cause the housewives are all singing
They discovered one black Saturday
That mobs don't march they run
So you can excuse the nervous triggerman
Just this once for jumping the gun
As they were picking up the dead
Out of the broken glass
Yes it's number one, the radio said
Groovy times have come to pass!
Groovy times groovy times groovy times
The intake is on the uptake
The acceleration's pretty grim
I can remember his first appearance
Now look what's happened to him
So they put him in a dog suit
Like from 1964
The king of early evening TV
Groovy times forever more
Groovy times
In "Groovy Times" by The Clash, the song speaks about the changing times and how society is moving away from the things that were once deemed as valuable. The first stanza of the song tells a story of how shops and terraces are boarded up and fenced as the society moves away from the old way of life. However, despite the changes, the song's message is that there is no need for excitement or anxiety, because groovy times are here again. The verse is a commentary on how society and people should embrace new changes, even if they seem unsettling at first.
The second stanza tells a story of one black Saturday, where mobs ran instead of marching. The nervous triggerman jumps the gun, and this is forgivable due to the situation's intensity. The pickers clean up the broken glass and the number one radio says groovy times have come to pass! The verse hints at the changing political climate and highlights the brutality in which change takes place. Despite the challenging times, society can still find joy and happiness during the shift.
The third and final stanza highlights the shift in entertainment and how it has changed throughout the years. The king of early evening TV is no longer the same person who debuted years earlier. People are quick to forget about the past and move on to the latest entertainment. The dog suit is a metaphor for how society is quick to discard the things they once deemed important, and it is a reminder that one should take time to appreciate what they have.
Line by Line Meaning
The High Street shops are boarded up
The shops on the main street are empty and closed down, lacking customers.
An' the terrace it is fenced in
The terrace area is cordoned off and inaccessible.
See-through shields are walled across
Clear shields have been mounted as walls to further restrict access to the area.
The way that you came in
The entrance that's been in use is now blocked off, and can no longer be entered the way one had been used to.
But there's no need to get excited
There's no reason to be elated or anxious.
As the lorries bring the bacon in
Trucks supply food products.
'cause the housewives are all singing
The housewives are enjoying the good times.
Groovy times are here again
There is happiness and joyousness in living things.
They discovered one black Saturday
In the context of the song, it refers to a tragic event that taught them a lesson.
That mobs don't march they run
The mob is not peaceful, but a disorderly group.
So you can excuse the nervous triggerman
The man behind the gun acted out of fear and panic, and can be pardoned.
Just this once for jumping the gun
This is the only time that the triggerman could take action without being told to do so.
As they were picking up the dead
As the authorities were cleaning up after the unfortunate incident.
Out of the broken glass
Refers to the remains of the destroyed property.
Yes it's number one, the radio said
This news is the biggest on the radio station.
Groovy times have come to pass!
The exciting times have already arrived and faded away.
The intake is on the uptake
The usage of a particular product is increasing.
The acceleration's pretty grim
The rate of it's rise is concerning.
I can remember his first appearance
The memory of the first instance when they presented themselves remains with him.
Now look what's happened to him
Their current state is a drastic contrast to what was presented earlier.
So they put him in a dog suit
They presented him in a different manner.
Like from 1964
They presented him in the same style as they did in that time period.
The king of early evening TV
The prominent figure of television during the evening hours.
Groovy times forever more
Having great times will always exist.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PDMF
The Clash Lyrics
"Groovy Times"
the high street shops are boarded up
an' the terrace it is fenced in
see-through shields are walled across
the way that you came in
but there's no need to get excited
as the lorries bring the bacon in
'cos the housewives are all singing
groovy times are here again
they discovered one black saturday
that mobs don't march they run
so you can excuse the nervous triggerman
just this once for jumping the gun
as they were picking up the dead
out of the broken glass
yes it's number one, the radio said
groovy times have come to pass!
groovy times groovy times groovy times
the intake is on the uptake
the acceleration's pretty grim
i can remember his first appearance
now look what's happened to him
so they put him in a dog suit
like from 1964
the king of early evening tv
groovy times forever more
groovy times
PDMF
El choque
"Tiempos maravillosos"
las tiendas de la calle principal están tapiadas
y la terraza está cercada
los escudos transparentes están amurallados
la forma en que entraste
pero no hay necesidad de emocionarse
mientras los camiones traen el tocino
Porque las amas de casa están cantando
tiempos maravillosos están aquí de nuevo
descubrieron un sabado negro
que las turbas no marchan corren
entonces puedes disculpar al gatillo nervioso
solo esta vez por adelantar el arma
mientras recogían a los muertos
de los cristales rotos
sí, es el número uno, dijo la radio
tiempos maravillosos han llegado a pasar!
tiempos maravillosos tiempos maravillosos tiempos maravillosos
la ingesta está en la absorción
la aceleración es bastante sombría
puedo recordar su primera aparición
ahora mira lo que le ha pasado
entonces lo pusieron en un traje de perro
como desde 1964
el rey de la televisión de la tarde
tiempos maravillosos para siempre más
tiempos maravillosos
Enrique Pastor
One of my favorites songs of all times!
Timothy van Weerd
Absolutely an instant classic!
Aurélie Piazzolla
Je vous aime pour toujours,que des chansons qui me rassurent et j en ai besoin,merci .
u.u
amo su música , me llenan de paz
Larz Gustafsson
Superb! I love it!
kobi1974
"Hey groovy"
What a song!!!
Fantastic!!!
Nix Gips 🇩🇪
I'm 58 now and sadly never had seen them in a live show.
The Clash: Best & versatile Punk Band ever! Following since 1984 🇬🇧🇩🇪
Attilah the Bassist
They were amazing. I saw them in 1982 and 1983 or 84; OMG, the crowd was insane, and the band rocked hard. Paul was playing a fretless bass in the latter show.
PDMF
The Clash Lyrics
"Groovy Times"
the high street shops are boarded up
an' the terrace it is fenced in
see-through shields are walled across
the way that you came in
but there's no need to get excited
as the lorries bring the bacon in
'cos the housewives are all singing
groovy times are here again
they discovered one black saturday
that mobs don't march they run
so you can excuse the nervous triggerman
just this once for jumping the gun
as they were picking up the dead
out of the broken glass
yes it's number one, the radio said
groovy times have come to pass!
groovy times groovy times groovy times
the intake is on the uptake
the acceleration's pretty grim
i can remember his first appearance
now look what's happened to him
so they put him in a dog suit
like from 1964
the king of early evening tv
groovy times forever more
groovy times
PDMF
El choque
"Tiempos maravillosos"
las tiendas de la calle principal están tapiadas
y la terraza está cercada
los escudos transparentes están amurallados
la forma en que entraste
pero no hay necesidad de emocionarse
mientras los camiones traen el tocino
Porque las amas de casa están cantando
tiempos maravillosos están aquí de nuevo
descubrieron un sabado negro
que las turbas no marchan corren
entonces puedes disculpar al gatillo nervioso
solo esta vez por adelantar el arma
mientras recogían a los muertos
de los cristales rotos
sí, es el número uno, dijo la radio
tiempos maravillosos han llegado a pasar!
tiempos maravillosos tiempos maravillosos tiempos maravillosos
la ingesta está en la absorción
la aceleración es bastante sombría
puedo recordar su primera aparición
ahora mira lo que le ha pasado
entonces lo pusieron en un traje de perro
como desde 1964
el rey de la televisión de la tarde
tiempos maravillosos para siempre más
tiempos maravillosos