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
Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She giggle[s] at the screen 'cause it looks so green
There's carpets on the pavement
And feathers in her eye
But sooner or later, her new friends will realize
That Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
(Well) Well it seemed like a dream; too good to be true
Stash it in the bank while the tablets grow high
In their Millions
And everybody's high (Hi, man...)
But there's someone looking down
From that mountain side
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
[And it's] Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh yeah, alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh!
And then there came the night of the greatest ever raid
They arrested every drug that had ever been made
They took eighty-two laws
Through eighty-two doors
And they didn't halt the pull
Till the cells were all full
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
They put him in a cell, they said 'you wait here'
You got the time to count all of your hair
You got fifteen years
That's a mighty long time
You could have been a physicist
But now your name is on the mailbag list
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still...
Alive
Oh oh, alive
You're still
I said you're still
"Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad" is a song by The Clash that describes the story of Julie, who works for the Drug Squad as an informant. The song highlights how Julie's involvement with the drug world and the Drug Squad eventually leads to her arrest and the arrest of others. The first verse describes how Julie is mesmerized by the effects of drugs, such as "Lucy in the sky and all kinds of apple pie." There is a sense of innocence in her initial fascination, as evidenced by her giggling at the screen, however, the second line indicates that her involvement is perhaps less than innocent. She has become involved in the drug world and is likely under the influence of the drugs.
The second verse suggests that Julie is not only involved in drugs but is also working for the Drug Squad. The surrounding drug world is used as a means of getting close to the drug dealers and, subsequently, betraying them to the Drug Squad. There is a sense of cynicism in the lyrics, as Julie is making money off of people while simultaneously betraying them. She's a spy, and her role ends up leading to the downfall of many, hence the line that informs the listeners that sooner or later, Julie's new friends will realize that she's been working for the Drug Squad. The third verse describes the consequences of Julie's actions. She is a traitor to both sides and is eventually arrested, along with those she has betrayed. The final line repeats, "Julie's been working for the Drug Squad," and the outro reinforces the consequences of her involvement through the repetition of the refrain.
Overall, "Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad" by The Clash is a song about Julie, who is involved in the drug world but is ultimately working for the Drug Squad. It highlights the consequences of her role as an informant, which ultimately leads to her arrest and the arrest of others. The song is a commentary on the corruption and complexity that can be found within law enforcement and the drug trade.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Lucy in the sky and all kinds of apple pie
Julie is living in a dream world with drugs and everything is all dazed and delusional.
She giggle[s] at the screen 'cause it looks so green
Julie gets high and enjoys the greenish effect caused by the drugs.
There's carpets on the pavement
The side effects of the drugs give Julie a hallucinatory perception of reality where she sees carpets on the pavement.
And feathers in her eye
Julie sees things that are not actually there and her perception is impaired due to her addiction.
But sooner or later, her new friends will realize
Eventually, Julie's drug friends will discover that she is working with the Drug Squad.
That Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie has been working with the Drug Squad as an informant to help arrest drug dealers.
She can't even look you in the eye
Julie is guilty and can't face people knowing that she has been working with the Drug Squad.
(Well) Well it seemed like a dream; too good to be true
Working with the Drug Squad seemed like a good escape from the world of drugs, but it was too good to be true.
Stash it in the bank while the tablets grow high
Drug dealers make a lot of money by keeping their earnings in banks, while drugs keep selling and making profit.
In their Millions
Dealers make millions by selling illegal drugs.
And everybody's high (Hi, man...)
Everyone around Julie is high, and she is also addicted to drugs.
But there's someone looking down / From that mountain side
The law enforcement is always watching out for drug dealers and their associates.
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's association with the Drug Squad makes her a target for drug dealers.
Gumbo!
The exclamation, 'Gumbo,' is just a humorous way of getting attention.
[And it's] Ten years for you / Nineteen for you / And you can get out in twenty-five / That is if you're still alive / Oh oh, alive / Oh yeah, alive / Oh oh, alive / Oh!
Depending on their involvement with drugs, people can receive different prison sentences and may not live long enough to finish them.
And then there came the night of the greatest ever raid
The Drug Squad finally broke down the drug dealers and did the greatest drug bust ever in one night.
They arrested every drug that had ever been made
The Drug Squad arrested all the different kinds of drugs that were present with the dealers.
They took eighty-two laws / Through eighty-two doors / And they didn't halt the pull / Till the cells were all full
The Drug Squad was determined to catch every seller and dealer associated with drugs and made sure they were all sentenced to jail.
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad / Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
The fact that Julie has been working with the Drug Squad is a significant reason for the bust.
They put him in a cell, they said 'you wait here' / You got the time to count all of your hair / You got fifteen years / That's a mighty long time
The drug dealer who was arrested was imprisoned for a long time and will have to wait a long time to get out of prison.
You could have been a physicist / But now your name is on the mailbag list
If the dealer did not get involved with drugs, they could have had a brilliant career but are now just a mailbag prisoner.
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad / Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Again, it's highlighted that Julie has been working with the Drug Squad all along.
Gumbo!
The exclamation, 'Gumbo,' is once again just a humorous way of ending the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diego Guerrero
I'd like to one day make a movie about this "Operation Julie" story and use this song as part of the soundtrack.
The Clash is always a source of inspiration. 👍
weatherman68
I've seen a couple of brilliant documentaries about the operation. We need £.s.d 👍🏽✌🏾🍻
Born not manufactured
There was one made in 1985...Operation Julie
Alain Tremaine
Have you read the book 'Busted' by Martyn Pritchard and Edward Laxton? Essential reading for your screenplay.
David Morrison
Haven't heard this for over twenty years. It's still brilliant.
Bryan Macshawson
I was listening to this song when cops broke my door in 5 years ago. That has got to mean something.
derin111
Are you out yet? 😂
Bryan Macshawson
@derin111 They didnt find a fuckin thing .
Blair Holben
Did you have a friend namedJulie?
Iain
Yeah don't sell unusual substantance's, lol.🌠🐒💥