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
Hateful
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What man?
The man who keeps me from the lonely, the only
He gives me what I need
What you need? What you got?
I need it all so badly
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
This year I've lost some friends
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
You see, I gotta go out again
Again? My friend
I gotta see the main man
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
I killed all my nerves
My nerves? What swerves?
And I can't drive so steady, and already
I've lost my memory
My mind? Behind!
I can't see so clearly
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
Anything I want, anything I want, anything I want, anything I want, anything I want
The Clash's song "Hateful" is a paradoxical song that explores the themes of power, dependency, and empty materialism. The song starts with the singer talking about a friend who provides him everything he needs, but the repetition of the question "What man?" implies that the friend's identity is ambiguous and perhaps even imaginary. The friend's presence keeps the singer from feeling lonely, but he also acknowledges that his dependency on this friend is anything but healthy. The lyrics "Anything I want he gives it, but not for free / It's hateful / And it's paid for" suggest that this relationship is not reciprocal and that the friend provides the singer with material things only to keep him under his control.
The verses of the song are a study in contrasts. The singer talks about losing friends and his memory, but dismisses these losses as if they don't matter. He only cares about seeing "the main man," who is probably a metaphor for a powerful figure who can give him even more material things. However, the singer is aware that this relationship is not fulfilling him emotionally or intellectually, and the chorus "It's hateful / And it's paid for" serves as a reminder of the transactional nature of the relationship. The line "I'm so grateful to be nowhere" suggests that the singer realizes that he is not going anywhere in this relationship and that he is stuck in a cycle of empty consumerism.
One interesting aspect of the song is the use of ambiguity and repetition to create a sense of unease and uncertainty. The constant repetition of "What man?" and "Anything I want he gives it to me" creates a hypnotic effect that mirrors the singer's dependency on his friend. The line "My nerves? What swerves?" is a perfect example of this ambiguity, as it suggests that the singer has lost control over his life and his emotions. Another fascinating aspect of the song is the use of sarcasm and irony to critique the materialist culture of the 1980s. The singer is grateful to be nowhere, but he is also unable to see beyond his immediate material needs.
Overall, "Hateful" is a complex and thought-provoking song that exposes the ugly underside of power and dependency in relationships. The song's ambiguous lyrics and hypnotic repetition make it a classic example of The Clash's punk sensibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I got a friend who's a man
I have a person who provides me with support and companionship.
What man?
Who is this person that you're talking about?
The man who keeps me from the lonely, the only
He is the only one who keeps me from feeling alone and isolated.
He gives me what I need
He provides me with what I need to feel content.
What you need? What you got?
What is it that you need or have that he provides for you?
I need it all so badly
I need everything he provides to me very much.
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
He gives me anything that I desire.
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
He gives me what I want, but there is always a cost associated with it.
It's hateful
The exchange of favors and gifts feels repugnant.
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
The gifts and favors are paid for, but the artist feels fortunate to be nowhere near the giver.
This year I've lost some friends
The singer has lost some people who were previously in their social circle in the past year.
Some friends? What friends?
Who are these people you are speaking of?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
The singer didn't even notice when or how they lost these friends.
You see, I gotta go out again
The singer needs to go out and socialize once more.
Again? My friend
Are you going out again? My friend.
I gotta see the main man
I need to see the person who provides me with everything I want.
I killed all my nerves
The artist has suppressed all of their natural instincts and feelings.
My nerves? What swerves?
What do you mean by killing your nerves?
And I can't drive so steady, and already
Now the singer is unsteady and unsure of themselves.
I've lost my memory
The artist cannot remember things like they used to.
My mind? Behind!
The artist's mind is not functioning as well as it used to.
I can't see so clearly
The artist cannot see things as they truly are.
Anything I want he gives it to me
He gives me anything that I desire.
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
He gives me what I want, but there is always a cost associated with it.
Anything I want, anything I want, anything I want, anything I want, anything I want
The singer is emphasizing that they are very used to getting anything that they want.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephencoomer5692
[Verse 1]
Well, I got a friend who's a man (who's a man)
What man?
The man who keeps me from the lonely, the only
He gives me what I need (what you need?)
What you got?
I need it all so badly
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for
And I'm so grateful to be nowhere
[Verse 2]
This year I've lost some friends (some friends)
What friends?
I dunno, I didn't even notice
You see, I gotta go out again (again)
My friend
I gotta see that main man
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for
And I'm so grateful to be nowhere
[Verse 3]
I killed all my nerves (my nerves)
What swerves?
I can't drive so steady
And already
I've lost my memory (my mind)
Behind
I can't see so clearly
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it but not for free
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me (Anything I want he gives it to me)
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free (Anything I want he gives it to me)
Anything I want, anything I want
@rasjoe420
Well, I got a friend who's a man
What man?
The man who keeps me from the lonely, the only
He gives me what I need
What you need? What you got?
I need it all so badly
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
This year I've lost some friends
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
You see, I gotta go out again
Again? My friend
I gotta see the main man
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
I killed all my nerves
My nerves? What swerves?
And I can't drive so steady, and already
I've lost my memory
My mind? Behind!
I can't see so clearly
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
Anything I want, anything I want, anything I want, anything I want, anything I want
@kerrylewis2581
Love every song on this album. Forty years later and it still makes me want to bounce off walls like I'm twenty again.
@nickrigdon8883
Possibly the best off the album. Just incredible.
@lucianofigueiredo4877
Verdade
@danozomatli1774
Yup. All downhill from there brother..
@tom-ht3ju
@@danozomatli1774 nah
@noahusa3309
@@danozomatli1774 not at all pal😂 whole album is a masterpiece.
@Marleystrummer
Like Sandanista! it's too hard to choose a best track although this is one of my favorites, Wrong Em boyo or Guns of Brixton ❤💛💚
@2nd_snideelf144
One of the TOP TEN Rock albums ever made. Get a copy of this album, play it loud and you will not be able to sit still.
@pseudoshaman
I love how this song is almost written like a love song, but instead of being about a girl it's about a guy who sells you drugs. Just like how a girl could make you feel good, a drug dealer gives you guaranteed good feelings and "anything you want" for the right price. It's a hateful, toxic relationship that might ruin your friendships but the drugs make you not care, and that's what this song is talking about. Absolutely genius songwriting.
@kenthorste7384
I realized,just enjoying this kind of music,"this year I lost some friends",about 1980,I did notice.A sad parting.They went right in their Izods and topsiders and I went left in my biker jacket and Levi's.