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
Junkie Slip
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The junkie slip!
I said I wasn't doin' it
The junkie slip!
Yea thought I'd find a rhythm in the junkie town
Thought I'd find a rhythm when the junkies hang around
Thought I'd go out walking to the junkie kind of beat
The junkie slip!
Nail it down
The junkie slip!
This side of town
The junkie slip!
And whatcha knowing before you's a doin'
The things they's a-knowing
You pawn your coat and your car
Pawned your cigar and your old guitar
You pawned your guitar and your saxophone
You're pawning everything in your mother's home
'cause it's a junkie slip!
Just like rock n' roll
A junkie slip!
Like Johnny did the stroll
And you know it feels alright
But what's that feeling on a Saturday night?
You're itching itching itching in your pillow in the day
You're itching itching itching and you gave your coat away
Itching itching itching and then in your sleeping bag
There's a little packet that you thought you never had
It's a junkie slip!
Every night
Junkie slip!
Cold water fright
It's a junkie slip
And an old spoon cooky cooky cooky kooky afternoon
All afternoon and in the middle of the night
You're worse for the difference and it don't sleep tight
Don't pull the curtains fon't put on the light
See-see-see-'cause it's a junkie slip!
What's goin' on?
Was early night
I lit the fire
Finish alright
Yeh Edi-Edi-Edi-Yeh Edi-Juan
Him going to live with Indian
Come in the car, it's an old machine
Riding from Brookway on a magazine
Be on that corner with a magazine
Do ya do ya do ya follow your friends?
Do I hear you saying that you're going back again?
It's a junkie slip!
Where? Did it end?
But did it ah did it did it ever end?
When did it ever end?
Don't ask me when on a Wednesday night
Don't ask me when on a Thursday night
I said oh? Who the hell are you?
You said oh! Well you met me
I said I can guess why
The Clash's song "Junkie Slip" is a commentary on the dangers of drug addiction. The lyrics describe the slippery slope of addiction as the singer delves deeper and deeper into the junkie lifestyle. The singer initially denies that they are using drugs, referring to it as a "junkie slip," but eventually gives in and tries to find a rhythm in the "junkie town." As they become more addicted, they pawn off their possessions and are constantly itching and searching for their next fix. The song also touches on the idea that addiction is a never-ending cycle, questioning if it ever truly ends.
The chorus of the song is where the phrase "junkie slip" comes from, using it as a metaphor for addiction as well as comparing it to the addictiveness of rock n' roll. The lyrics also touch on the idea of peer pressure, with the singer questioning if they're following their friends back into addiction. The jumbled and rambling nature of the lyrics mirror the chaos and confusion of addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
I wasn't going that far
I didn't think I'd get addicted
The junkie slip!
I fell prey to addiction
I said I wasn't doin' it
I denied my addiction
Thought I'd find a rhythm in the junkie town
I thought I'd fit in with addicts
Thought I'd find a rhythm when the junkies hang around
I thought I'd bond with other addicts
Thought I'd go out walking to the junkie kind of beat
I thought I'd adopt the mannerisms of addicts
Setting on those bars that the junkies meet
I hung out where addicts do
Nail it down
I am confirming my addiction
This side of town
I am surrounded by addicts
And whatcha knowing before you's a doin'
I didn't think ahead before getting addicted
The things they's a-knowing
The things I didn't consider before getting addicted
You pawn your coat and your car
I had to pawn my belongings for drugs
Pawned your cigar and your old guitar
I had to give up my hobbies for the addiction
You pawned your guitar and your saxophone
I had to give up my instruments for the addiction
You're pawning everything in your mother's home
I had pawned even my mother's belongings
'cause it's a junkie slip!
The addiction is too strong to resist
Just like rock n' roll
Addiction is as powerful as rock music
A junkie slip!
An addict is bound to slip back into addiction
Like Johnny did the stroll
Addiction is a dance that addicts slip into
And you know it feels alright
Addiction gives a temporary sense of happiness
But what's that feeling on a Saturday night?
Addiction makes it hard to enjoy a peaceful weekend
You're itching itching itching in your pillow in the day
Addiction is making me anxious even during the day
You're itching itching itching and you gave your coat away
I had to give up my possessions to get drugs
Itching itching itching and then in your sleeping bag
Addiction is making me restless while sleeping
There's a little packet that you thought you never had
I have some drugs even though I thought I was clean
Every night
Addiction affects me every night
Cold water fright
Showers feel cold and uncomfortable because of addiction
And an old spoon cooky cooky cooky kooky afternoon
The addiction becomes my afternoon activity
All afternoon and in the middle of the night
Addiction takes up most of my day and night
You're worse for the difference and it don't sleep tight
Addiction is making me extremely uncomfortable and unable to sleep
Don't pull the curtains fon't put on the light
I want to keep it dark and isolated because of addiction
What's goin' on?
I'm confused about how I got addicted
Was early night
It started when it was still early in the night
I lit the fire
I ignited the addiction myself
Finish alright
It won't end well
Him going to live with Indian
Someone left the group to detox
Come in the car, it's an old machine
We are using old methods to get drugs
Riding from Brookway on a magazine
Driving around while reading a magazine to pass time
Be on that corner with a magazine
Hanging out at a street corner with a magazine
Do ya do ya do ya follow your friends?
Do you blindly go along with your group of addict friends?
Do I hear you saying that you're going back again?
Are you implying that you will relapse again?
Where? Did it end?
I don't know when my addiction will end
But did it ah did it did it ever end?
Is the addiction truly over?
Don't ask me when on a Wednesday night
I don't know about quitting on a specific night
Don't ask me when on a Thursday night
I don't know about quitting on a specific night
I said oh? Who the hell are you?
I'm not comfortable with new people in my circle
You said oh! Well you met me
The new person is assuring me that we have met before
I said I can guess why
I know why you're here with me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@2000fooz
Wow he really stacked the lyrics huh?…I dig this track…cool
@michaelmurphy2330
Incredible! It's rather like a skiffle song, always really liked it.....
@jeffsims8270
Love this track! Reminds me of my owm relapses with junk 😆
@philgraham1538
Joe describes heroin addiction spot on still relevant today 2022 ☀️👌💜🔊
@jerry517
Make love listening this song is amazing
@danielmorrissette4757
😎😎😎😎😎🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@jankompos2330
drinking real tea is a drug addiction ,this song explains me well ,and ill also explain why,the flowers that are mixed in your pfarma pills are the flowers you drink in your real tea,so its a natural junkie high ,and we all know addiction cant be cured that easy,but with having faith in yourself its possible to reduce ,i wish you all recovery and a reborn life,lets do this and reduce
@andreagazzola3614
It's not bad...👍
But it is special. 🤔
@jakehalstead7807
I always love smoking some to this
@L7Fx
what, heroin??