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
I'm Not Down
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's what they from day to day
Then what do all the poor do with their lives
On Judgement Day with nothing to say?
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
On my own I faced a gang of jeering in strange streets, oh oh
When my nerves were pumping and I
Fought my fear in, I didn't run
I was not done
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, no, I'm not down
'Cause I have lived that kind of day
When none of your sorrows will go away
It goes down and down and hit the floor
Down and down and down some more
Depression
But I know there'll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers rising up
Floor by floor, I'm not giving up
So you rock around and think
That you're the toughest
In the world, the whole wide world
But you're streets away from where
It gets the roughest
You ain't been there
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, no, I'm not down (hey)
No, I'm not down, no, I'm not down
No, I'm not down, no, I'm not down
No, I'm not down, no, I'm not down
No, I'm not down, I'm not down
"I'm Not Down" is a song by The Clash that talks about perseverance and not giving up in the face of adversity. The first stanza raises a question about the purpose of poor people's lives and how they will be judged on Judgement Day. The second stanza describes the singer's personal experience of facing a gang of jeering and not running away despite being scared. The chorus emphasizes that the singer may have been beaten and shown up but is not down and has grown up. The third stanza talks about depression and feeling like everything is going down, but the singer remains hopeful and believes that they will find a way to swing everything back their way. The final stanza is a statement to people who think they are tough but have never faced the roughest situation that the singer has faced.
The song's lyrics show The Clash's political and social consciousness, as they often wrote about class struggle and social injustice. "I'm Not Down" specifically highlights the struggle and willpower of working-class people and shows the band's support for their struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's true a rich man leads a sad life
The idea that wealthy people are unhappy is often discussed
That's what they from day to day
This discussion is a common topic of everyday conversation
Then what do all the poor do with their lives
This leads to the question of what less privileged people do when faced with hardships
On Judgement Day with nothing to say?
This question is particularly significant when considering the ultimate judgment day
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
The artist has faced physical and emotional challenges in life
But I'm not down, no, I'm not down
Despite facing these difficulties, the singer maintains a sense of resilience and determination
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
The singer acknowledges past mistakes but has learned from them and matured
And I'm not down, no, I'm not down
This resilience is reiterated and reinforced
On my own I faced a gang of jeering in strange streets, oh oh
The artist has directly confronted hostile situations alone
When my nerves were pumping and I
Despite feeling nervous and scared in these situations
Fought my fear in, I didn't run
The singer did not give in to fear and run away
I was not done
Instead, the artist pushed through and persisted
'Cause I have lived that kind of day
The singer has experienced difficult and sorrowful days
When none of your sorrows will go away
During these times, the singer has felt their pain would never go away
It goes down and down and hit the floor
The pain and depression feels like it hits rock bottom
Down and down and down some more
This feeling continues and intensifies
Depression
The artist directly names the emotional state they are describing
But I know there'll be some way
Despite this, the singer remains hopeful
When I can swing everything back my way
They believe they will regain control of their life and emotions
Like skyscrapers rising up
The redemption will be a slow but steady process
Floor by floor, I'm not giving up
The artist will continue to persist and won't give up
So you rock around and think
The artist now addresses the listener directly
That you're the toughest
They accuse them of thinking they're the strongest or most resilient
In the world, the whole wide world
This idea of being the 'toughest' is a larger societal myth
But you're streets away from where
The singer asserts that the listener is far removed from the real struggles and hardships of life
It gets the roughest
The true challenges are much rougher than the listener can imagine
You ain't been there
The singer asserts that the listener has not experienced these trials and should not judge
No, I'm not down
The artist emphatically restates their resilience and determination
No, I'm not down
Reiterating this point for emphasis
No, I'm not down
Driving home the message that they will not give in despite life's challenges
No, I'm not down, I'm not down
A final affirmation of the singer's unyielding spirit
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephencoomer5692
If it's true a rich man leads a sad life
That's what say from day to day
Then what do all the poor do with their lives
On judgment day, when nothin' is saved?
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, no I'm not down
On my own I faced a gang of jeering
In strange streets, oh
When my nerves were pumping and I fought my fear in
I didn't run, I was not done
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, no I'm not down
'Cause I've lived that kind of day
When none of your sorrows will go away
It goes down and down and hit the floor
Down and down and down some more
Depression
But I know there'll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers rising up
Floor by floor, giving up
ADVERTISING
So you rock around and think that you're the toughest
In the world, the whole wide world
But you're streets away from where it gets the roughest
You ain't been there
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, no I'm not down
I'm not down
No, I'm not down
No, I'm not down
No, I'm not down
No, I'm not down
No, I'm not down
No, I'm not down
I'm not down
@danielscissorhands
It's always a great song to listen to when you ARE down, which for me is most of the time lately.
@georgemichaelis1664
hang in there man
@danielscissorhands
@@georgemichaelis1664 Thanks ❤️
@bobmiller7502
keep ur chin up danny boy, remember the worsttime in your life?/how it felt, then look at NOW, it aint that bad brother
@karlschneider9479
I know how you feel brother! Been seeing a therapist for a few years now!
@karlschneider9479
@@bobmiller7502 Very cool of you to say that to him. Big respect!
@Turmix94
Happiest song about depression ever
@feinhuckershieken783
This is one of my favorite clash songs
@williamweedface3341
me too, Marz, best album ever
@navyskaterdude
It is My Favorite too.