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
Guns Of Brixton
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of "The Harder They Come"
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
oh, the guns of Brixton
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But oh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
The Guns of Brixton is a politically charged song by The Clash, written by their bassist Paul Simonon. The lyrics speak to the struggle of living in a place like Brixton, a district in South London known for its high unemployment rates, poverty, and confrontations with police. The song poses a question: when faced with injustice, will you comply with the authorities or will you fight back? The first verse specifically asks how someone will react when the police come to their door – will they surrender, or will they fight back with a gun? The second verse suggests that no matter what route one chooses, the end result is likely bleak – either being shot by the police or waiting on death row.
The chorus emphasizes the underlying theme of the song, which is that those in power may have the ability to oppress and harm people, but eventually, there will be consequences. The guns of Brixton, representing the resistance of the oppressed people, will prevail. The final verse tells the story of a man named Ivan, who was caught with a gun and sent to prison. The lyrics imply that Ivan’s actions were a result of his difficult circumstances and that even though he was punished, the underlying issues in Brixton remain unresolved.
Line by Line Meaning
When they kick at your front door
If someone tries to invade your home,
How you gonna come?
What will be your reaction?
With your hands on your head
Will you surrender peaceably?
Or on the trigger of your gun?
Or will you be ready to defend yourself?
When the law break in
If the police violently enter your home,
How you gonna go?
What will happen to you?
Shot down on the pavement
Will you be killed on the street?
Or waiting in death row
Or will you be arrested, tried and executed?
You can crush us
You may oppress us,
You can bruise us
You may hurt us physically or emotionally,
But you'd have to answer to
But you'll be held responsible by
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The armed resistance fighters of Brixton who will stand up to you.
The money feels good
The profit is attractive,
And your life you like it well
And you enjoy your existence,
But surely your time will come
But one day you will pay for your actions,
As in heaven, as in hell
Regardless of what happens after death.
You see, he feels like Ivan
The artist experiences a similar plight as Ivan, a fictional character.
Born under the Brixton sun
Raised in a low-income neighborhood in London called Brixton,
His game is called survivin'
His approach to life is all about survival,
At the end of 'The Harder They Come'
After watching a movie called 'The Harder They Come.'
You know it means no mercy
The authorities will show no mercy,
They caught him with a gun
They apprehended him with a firearm,
No need for the Black Maria
There was no need for the police van for his arrest,
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
He knew he would never see the sunshine of Brixton again.
And even shoot us
You may even kill us,
Oh, guns of Brixton
Those who will resist the system with violent means.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Gustave Simonon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raptor8970
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of "The Harder They Come"
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
oh, the guns of Brixton
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But oh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
@ikedaleo
the bass riff is heavenly
@jennprickly1455
I was born to hear the clash's bass riffs
@KarenThomas763
every one of my favorite songs has a great bass line. took me 40 years to realize I am a bass head, always have been.
@mordecaif
We need a bass boosted version
@aestheticaltwat
All hail the dub bass!
@LeGrandeOrange
Simonon’s greatest moment!
@MichaelSheffield-ox8yd
Possibly the greatest rock album ever. Every song a gem.
@karlmorris-xz6iq
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris and 'She has a Car' is a good song by him.
@HipnoDark
One of them. Its a top 10 imho
@tizianoschena4999
Agree