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
Kingston Advice
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No razor blades but you can get knife
In these days see the people run
They have no food but the boy have gun
In these days they don't throw the stone
Nor use the voice they use the gun alone
In these days to be an oddity
Be hunted down like a scarcity
In these days don't beg for life
Want to take Kingston advice?
Oh please don't beg for your life
In these days the beat is militant
Must be a clash there's no alternative
In these days nations are militant
We have slavery under government
In these days in the firmament
I look for signs that are permanent
In these days with no love to give
The world will turn with no one left to live
In these days I don't know what to do
The more I see the more I'm destitute
In these days I don't know what to sing
The more I know the less my tune can swing
In these days you can get no rice
No razor blades but you can get knife
In these days see the people run
They have no food but the boy have gun
Kingston Advice by The Clash is a song that paints a picture of desperation and fear during a time of unrest in Jamaica. The lyrics describe the scarcity of essential items like rice and razor blades and the availability of weapons like knives and guns. The people are running not for exercise but because they have no food, and the only ones armed are the boys. The song makes a call for solidarity among the oppressed and advises not to beg for life but to take "Kingston advice," possibly referring to the idea of standing up for oneself and fighting for one's rights.
The beat of the song is militant, and the lyrics speak of the clash between nations and the prevalence of slavery under the government. The singer looks for signs of permanence in the firmament, perhaps searching for something that will endure amid the chaos. But it seems that there is no love to give, and the world is turning without anyone left to love or live. The singer expresses his own sense of desperation and helplessness, unsure of what to do or what to sing.
The song is a commentary on the political and social unrest in Jamaica during the late 1970s, specifically the run-up to the general election in 1980. The lyrics describe the tension and violence in the streets and the impact of widespread poverty and unemployment on the people.
Line by Line Meaning
In these days you can get no rice
Rice is scarce, and people are struggling to find enough to eat.
No razor blades but you can get knife
Everyday items that were once easily accessible are now scarce, but weapons are readily available.
In these days see the people run
People are fleeing their homes and communities due to violence and food shortages.
They have no food but the boy have gun
Young people are taking up arms to protect themselves and their families in the absence of food or government protection.
In these days they don't throw the stone
Instead of resorting to physical violence, people are using guns to solve conflicts.
Nor use the voice they use the gun alone
Dialogue and peaceful communication have given way to the use of weapons.
In these days to be an oddity
Being different or standing out in any way can be dangerous.
Be hunted down like a scarcity
People who are seen as different or scarce, like food or resources, are being targeted by violence.
In these days don't beg for life
Asking for mercy or compassion is unlikely to be met with forgiveness or sympathy.
Want to take Kingston advice?
Do you want to hear some advice from the capital city of Jamaica, which has a long history of violence and political unrest?
Oh please don't beg for your life
Urging someone not to plead for mercy, as it will likely be futile.
In these days the beat is militant
The rhythm of life is defined by violence and conflict.
Must be a clash there's no alternative
Conflict and violence seem to be the only way forward, there is no other choice.
In these days nations are militant
Countries are becoming increasingly militarized and focused on defensive measures.
We have slavery under government
People are being oppressed and controlled by their own governments.
In these days in the firmament
In this current situation or climate.
I look for signs that are permanent
Searching for hope and change that will have a lasting impact.
In these days with no love to give
There is little empathy or kindness to be found in this environment.
The world will turn with no one left to live
The violent world we have created will ultimately lead to our own destruction.
In these days I don't know what to do
Feeling helpless and unsure of how to make a difference in this environment.
The more I see the more I'm destitute
Bearing witness to the violence and suffering only makes things worse and more hopeless.
In these days I don't know what to sing
Being at a loss for words or a way to express oneself in the face of such overwhelming violence.
The more I know the less my tune can swing
Learning more about what is happening and how bad things are only serves to make creativity and joy more difficult to attain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@camiloalbertohernandezfaut4798
Kingston Advice
The Clash

Opciones
In these days you can get no rice
No razor blades but you can get knife
In these days see the people run
They have no food but the boy have gun
In these days they don't throw the stone
Nor use the voice they use the gun alone
In these days to be an oddity
Be hunted down like a scarcity
In these days don't beg for life
Wanna take kingston advice?
Oh please don't beg for your life
In these days the beat is militant
Must be a clash there's no alternative
In these days nations are militant
We have slavery under government
In these days in the firmament
I look for signs that are permanent
In these days with no love to give
The world will turn with no one left to live
In these days i don't know what to do
The more i see the more i'm destitute
In these days i don't know what to sing
The more i know the less my tune can swing
In these days you can get no rice
No razor blades but you can get knife
In these days see the people run
They have no food but the boy have gun
@bluraynation5188
This part of the album is when the weed was REALLY taking effect
@sr.arbusto2654
Yup
@punkisinthedetails1470
Leaking from the bunker
@thomassmith5045
Witch is nice
@gmcintyre1917
The entire band simultaneously took off their gas mask.
@danielmelo7146
Magnificent.
@MarkMaxwell-author
Great jam at 1:40 .. !! <3
@halonzemil
Clash pra sempre!
@aldoyamaguchi
Thks to upload!!! My favourite band.
@Koshirozation
no alternative!