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
King Of The Road
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rooms to let 50 cents, now
No phone, no pool, no pets
I ain't got no cigarettes
Now two hours of shoving broom
But an eight-by-twelve four bed room
I'm a man of means by no means
Third box-car on the midnight tube
Destination Hangar Lane
Old worn out suit and shoes
I don't pay no union blues
I smoke old stogies I have found
Short but not to big around
Man of means by no means
King a' the road
The opening line of the song, "Trailers for sale or rent," suggests that the singer is a traveling and homeless person, as trailers could be seen as a temporary residence for those who cannot afford a permanent one. This is backed up by the next few lines, which mention rooms available for 50 cents and a lack of amenities like phones, pools, and pets. The line "I ain't got no cigarettes" further emphasizes the singer's lack of possessions and possibly even addiction to smoking as a coping mechanism.
The chorus, "I'm a man of means by no means, king of the road," is somewhat ironic, as the singer is clearly not a man of means in the traditional sense. However, the phrase "king of the road" suggests that he takes pride in his nomadic lifestyle and the freedom it provides him. The lines about an eight-by-twelve four bed room and smoking stogies he's found suggest that he's resourceful and adaptable, making the most of what he has.
Overall, "King of the Road" can be interpreted as a celebration of freedom and self-sufficiency, even in the face of hardship and poverty.
Line by Line Meaning
Trailers for sale of rent
Advertisements for trailers either for lease or for sale.
Rooms to let 50 cents, now
Rooms available to rent for fifty cents. Could be either daily or hourly rate.
No phone, no pool, no pets
Facilities that are not available in the place of lodging. Lack of phone, pool or pets.
I ain't got no cigarettes
Lack of cigarettes.
Now two hours of shoving broom
Doing menial work for two hours, like sweeping the floors
But an eight-by-twelve four bed room
A four bed room but its floor area is only eight by twelve feet.
I'm a man of means by no means
Ironically describing oneself as not wealthy even if he has means of earning for a living.
King of the road
Self-proclaimed title as the king of the road.
Third box-car on the midnight tube
Referring to a boxcar where a traveler (perhaps a homeless person) is sleeping, found on the midnight train.
Destination Hangar Lane
A place where the train is headed, which could pertain to someone's destination or journey in life.
Old worn out suit and shoes
Clothing consisting of a shabby or old suit and shoes.
I don't pay no union blues
Proudly declaring he is not part of any union or organization where fee or dues are being collected.
I smoke old stogies I have found
Smoking cigars found somewhere, probably being discarded from those with more means.
Short but not too big around
The cigar being smoked is short, but not too large in circumference.
Man of means by no means
Reiterating that he still lacks the wealth despite having means of living
King a' the road
Concluding the song and himself again as the king of the road.
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@miracleofsound
One of the greatest songs of all time. Sounds like the end of the world
@giandomenicorodino1776
sono d'accordo
@mikeferguson5935
So gosh darn correct. One of my top ten best albums EVER. Side 3 is perfection.
@astraluna6is9
It did. It does. It will always.
@rajs4719
Think it was written because they were having to go back to London because of the threat of a war at the time of something like that. So you were pretty spot on haha
@thomasconrad7998
Holy shit miracle of sound comments on music videos!
@onlinefriend3889
I can't believe a city was named after this song, those people there must be huge Clash fans
@patdan774
Am a huge clash fsn from way back n biracial they r just top musicians 🥰
@bigboiac5592
Ikr they even made it a capital city as well!
@clivesnell
😂😂😂😂nice one!