Hate & War
The Clash Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hate and war
The only things we got today
An' if I close my eyes
They will not go away
You have to deal with it
It is the currency
Hate, hate, hate, the hate of a nation
A million miles from home
And get war from the junkies
Who don't like my form
I'm gonna stay in the city
Even when the house fall down
I don't dream of a holiday
When hate an' war come around
Hate and war
The only things we got today
Hate and war
The only things

I have the will to survive
I cheat if I can't win
If someone locks me out
I kick my way back in
An' if I get aggression
I give 'em two times back
Every day it's just the same
With hate an' war on my back

Hate and war, I hate all the English, man
Hate and war, they're just as bad as wops
Hate and war, I hate all the politeness
Hate and war, I hate all the cops
Hate and war, I want to walk down any street
Hate and war, looking like a creep




Hate and war, I don't care if I get beat up
Hate and war, by any rotten Greek

Overall Meaning

The Clash's "Hate and War" depicts the constant presence of hate and war in the world. The opening lines, "Hate and war, the only things we got today," establish the song's theme. The singer's desire to escape from the negativity surrounding him is expressed through the line, "And if I close my eyes, they will not go away." He acknowledges that hate is part of life, and he will have to deal with it. Hate is shown to be a "currency" in the song, something that is always present and used by people.


The singer declares his determination to survive and win at all costs, even if it means cheating. He will not be locked out of any situation and always fights back, as seen in the line, "And if I get aggression, I give 'em two times back." The song's second half features the singer's disdain for different groups, including the English, the wops, and the police. The chorus repeats the idea that hate and war are the only things present in the world.


The song's lyrics are amplified by the music, which is loud and aggressive, with the guitars and drums being especially prominent. The Clash's style is on full display, with their punk rock influence and anti-establishment attitude. "Hate and War" is an excellent example of the band's ability to write politically charged songs that were both accessible to the masses and highly influential.


Line by Line Meaning

Hate and war
The realities of society that are prevalent today


The only things we got today
There are no other options available to us


An' if I close my eyes
I can't escape from these problems


They will not go away
They are deeply ingrained in our society


You have to deal with it
We cannot ignore it any longer


It is the currency
It is the dominant force that governs our lives


Hate, hate, hate, the hate of a nation
The collective anger and frustration of our society


A million miles from home
We feel lost and disconnected


And get war from the junkies
Our society is fuelled by aggression and conflict


Who don't like my form
Those who do not conform to societal norms are ostracized


I'm gonna stay in the city
I refuse to abandon my roots


Even when the house fall down
Even if everything around me is crumbling


I don't dream of a holiday
There is no respite from these problems


When hate an' war come around
These issues are ever-present


Hate and war
The realities of society that are prevalent today


The only things we got today
There are no other options available to us


I have the will to survive
I am determined to persevere


I cheat if I can't win
I will do whatever it takes to succeed


If someone locks me out
If I am locked out of success


I kick my way back in
I will fight my way back in


An' if I get aggression
If someone confronts me


I give 'em two times back
I will retaliate twice as hard


Every day it's just the same
These problems persist on a daily basis


With hate an' war on my back
These issues weigh heavily on me


Hate and war, I hate all the English, man
No one is immune to my anger


Hate and war, they're just as bad as wops
I don't discriminate between different groups


Hate and war, I hate all the politeness
Even those who seem harmless are complicit


Hate and war, I hate all the cops
Even those who are meant to protect us are part of the problem


Hate and war, I want to walk down any street
I refuse to be intimidated


Hate and war, looking like a creep
I will not conform to societal norms


Hate and war, I don't care if I get beat up
I am willing to put myself in harm's way


Hate and war, by any rotten Greek
I will not let anyone hold me down




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Михаил Сергопольцев

Ненависть и война
Все, что у нас есть на этот день
И если закрыть глаза
Они не пропадут никуда
Тебе придется жить с этим
Все это лишь бизнес
Ненависть, ненависть, ненависть, ненависть нации
За миллион миль от дома
Ведется война с торчками,
Которым не нравится моя форма
Я хочу остаться в городе
Когда дом обрушится
Я не могу мечтать об отпуске
Когда ненависть и война повсюду
Ненависть и война
Все, что у нас есть на этот день
Ненависть и война
Единственное, что у нас есть

Я просто хочу выжить
Я сжульничаю, если начну проигрывать
Если кто-то запретит мне
Я отвоюю все назад
И если встречу сопротивление
Я найду как их обмануть
Каждый день одно и то же
С ненавистью и войной за моей спиной

Ненависть и война, я ненавижу всех британцев, чувак
Ненависть и война, они так же ужасны, как wops*
Ненависть и война, я ненавижу вежливость
Ненависть и война, я ненавижу всех копов
Ненависть и война, я хочу пройтись по любой улице
Ненависть и война, выглядя как полный ублюдок
Ненависть и война, мне неважно, буду ли я избит
Ненависть и война, каким-нибудь грязным греком

*wops — прозвище итальянских иммигрантов в Америке



[Anakin Skywalker]🟦

@Dora Anaïs Nin 🌹💘💋 Jain Jones - La Voz de los 80
Im So Bored With The U.S.A - Mentalidad Televisiva
Hate & War - Paramar
What's my name - Paramar
London Burning's - Nunca Quedas Mal Con Nadie
Police And Thieves - Nunca Quedas Mal Con Nadie
(London Calling):
London Calling - Brigada De Negro
Rudie Can't Fail - Latinoamerica es Un Pueblo Al Sur De E.E.UU
The Guns of Brixton - No Necesitamos Banderas
Wrong 'Em Boyo - Sexo
Death or Glory - ¿Quién Mató a Marilyn?
Koka Kola - Descubre Tus Poderes
(eve-evelyn es Maniac De Michael Sembello



All comments from YouTube:

Wayne

One of the very few bands that really had something important to say.

wsiey4

Yesss!

CupidsPaws

Your music makes me feel better when im sad

Steve Hamilton

Dove's Wing
Yeah me to bro

Gentilly Girl

You are not alone. This album is my go to when I no longer have the words to express my utter disappointment in this Country -- not the people but the government.

leonie Gray

@Gentilly Girl yep.

Steven Simoneschi

Makes me feel better whether happy or sad!

Михаил Сергопольцев

Ненависть и война
Все, что у нас есть на этот день
И если закрыть глаза
Они не пропадут никуда
Тебе придется жить с этим
Все это лишь бизнес
Ненависть, ненависть, ненависть, ненависть нации
За миллион миль от дома
Ведется война с торчками,
Которым не нравится моя форма
Я хочу остаться в городе
Когда дом обрушится
Я не могу мечтать об отпуске
Когда ненависть и война повсюду
Ненависть и война
Все, что у нас есть на этот день
Ненависть и война
Единственное, что у нас есть

Я просто хочу выжить
Я сжульничаю, если начну проигрывать
Если кто-то запретит мне
Я отвоюю все назад
И если встречу сопротивление
Я найду как их обмануть
Каждый день одно и то же
С ненавистью и войной за моей спиной

Ненависть и война, я ненавижу всех британцев, чувак
Ненависть и война, они так же ужасны, как wops*
Ненависть и война, я ненавижу вежливость
Ненависть и война, я ненавижу всех копов
Ненависть и война, я хочу пройтись по любой улице
Ненависть и война, выглядя как полный ублюдок
Ненависть и война, мне неважно, буду ли я избит
Ненависть и война, каким-нибудь грязным греком

*wops — прозвище итальянских иммигрантов в Америке

Low effort Productions

My favorite punk band, right up there with The Misfits 😁

Michael Soltero

The only band that matters

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