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
Know Your Rights
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With guitar
Know your rights
All three of them
Number one
You have the right not to be killed
Murder is a crime
By a policeman
Or an aristocrat
Oh, know your rights
And number two
You have the right to food money
Providing of course
You don't mind a little
Investigation, humiliation
And if you cross your fingers
Rehabilitation
Know your rights
These are your rights
Hey, say, Wang
Oh, know these rights
Number three
You have the right to free speech
As long as
You're not dumb enough to actually try it
Know your rights
These are your rights
Oh, know your rights
These are your rights
All three of 'em
Ha!
It has been suggested in some quarters
That this is not enough
Well
Get off the streets
Run
Get off the streets
The lyrics to The Clash's song "Know Your Rights" are a satirical commentary on government propaganda and the limitations of individual freedoms. The opening lines, "This is a public service announcement with guitar, know your rights, all three of them," highlight the irony in the song's title. Rather than promoting individual rights and freedoms, the song suggests that there are only three fundamental rights that people have, and even those are severely restricted.
The first right is the right not to be killed, which is presented as a crime unless it is done by a policeman or an aristocrat. This highlights the inherent bias in the legal system and the ways in which certain people are granted more power and privilege than others. The second right is the right to food money, but this right comes with conditions such as investigation, humiliation, and rehabilitation. This suggests that the government controls the distribution of resources and uses it as a tool of control over individual freedoms.
The third and final right is the right to free speech, but this right is only afforded to those who are not "dumb enough to actually try it." This implies that there are limitations to free speech, and those who speak out against the government or other powerful institutions may face consequences. Overall, the song is a critique of the limitations of individual freedoms and the ways in which people are controlled by those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a public service announcement
The following information could save your life
With guitar
This is a punk rock PSA
Know your rights
You need to know the laws that protect you
All three of them
There are only three basic rights you have
Number one
The first of your rights
You have the right not to be killed
Nobody should have the power to take your life away
Murder is a crime
Killing someone is illegal
Unless it was done
The only exception is if
By a policeman
Law enforcement officials can get away with it
Or an aristocrat
Rich and powerful people can also get away with murder
Oh, know your rights
It's important to be aware of these laws
And number two
The second of your rights
You have the right to food money
Everyone has the right to basic necessities
Providing of course
As long as
You don't mind a little
You won't have a problem if
Investigation, humiliation
You are willing to be investigated and embarrassed
And if you cross your fingers
If you're lucky
Rehabilitation
You might get the help you need
Know your rights
You should always know what you're entitled to
These are your rights
These are the basic laws that apply to you
Hey, say, Wang
A sarcastic comment on the common Chinese name 'Wang'
Oh, know these rights
It's crucial that you remember these laws
Number three
Finally, the third right
You have the right to free speech
You're allowed to voice your opinions freely
As long as
However, this right only holds if
You're not dumb enough to actually try it
You don't say anything that might land you in trouble
Ha!
A sarcastic laugh
It has been suggested in some quarters
Some people believe
That this is not enough
That these three rights aren't sufficient
Well
But
Get off the streets
Stop protesting or demonstrating
Run
Flee if necessary
Get off the streets
Avoid confrontation with authorities
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
"Know Your Rights"
This is a public service announcement
With guitar
Know your rights all three of them
Number 1
You have the right not to be killed
Murder is a CRIME!
Unless it was done by a Policeman or aristocrat
Know your rights
And Number 2
You have the right to food money
Providing of course you
Don't mind a little
Investigation, humiliation
And if you cross your fingers
Rehabilitation
Know your rights
These are your rights
Wang
Number 3
You have the right to free
Speech as long as you're not
Dumb enough to actually try it.
Know your rights
These are your rights
All three of 'em
It has been suggested
In some quarters that this is not enough!
Well..............................
Get off the streets
Run
You don't have a home to go to
Smush
Finally then I will read you your rights
You have the right to remain silent
You are warned that anything you say
Can and will be taken down
And used as evidence against you
Listen to this
Run
@waggsish
This song never goes stale, grows old. Its like a fine wine of brutal honesty.
@sasi7672
This band were my activist parents! Lol. They were, I was obsessed with their music and their message from age 18 years to the present day. They liberated my mind, my attitude towards how things should work… and for that I’m eternally grateful. They believed in justice and peace. Love ya Mr. Strummer and all the band, wish we had more of your ilk today X
@petarst
The same for me, the most important band ever !
@_naco1070
I'm so glad I discovered bands like The Clash or the Dead Kennedys when I was 15, it blew my mind how much sense they were making
@paulhorvath5773
I saw them oct 5 1979 in houston. My sister and a few friends were the first punks in our south Texas town. The other kids thought we were from another planet. But the old ranchers and cowboys were very cool to us when we would play pool in the little ice house/country store. Pool was 10 cents a game, beers were 50 cents, playing 8 ball with a 75 year old cowboy from the nine bar ranch and getting faced, while listening to the Clash....priceless. Kids today will never do anything that cool in thier lives. Hell yea I miss Joe. Always thought I would get to sit down and drink a redstripe and smoke a spliff with him...Joe put the coffee on buddy, we will all be coming home soon.
@dylanthewolfo9243
I miss Joe Strummer, he is one of the best songwriters and his messages still hold true to this day, The Clash honestly did change my life and this is one of their best songs for sure.
@zombywoof1015
Dick Lucas - SUB HUM ANS.
A far superior lyricist.
@tonyjones1560
I’d love to hear a dialogue between Joe Strummer, George Carlin and Malcolm X right now…it’d be nuclear fire!
@heath2483
fkn legend for sure
@ECCENTRICERIC69
@@zombywoof1015 Yawn, bore off!!