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
Koka Kola Advertising & Cocaine
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the gleaming corridors of the 51st floor
The money can be made if you really want some more
Executive decision-a clinical precision
Jumping from the windows-filled with indecision
I get good advice from the advertising world
Treat me nice says the party girl
So freeze, man, freeze
It's the pause that refreshes in the corridors of power
When top men need a top up long before the happy hour
Your snakeskin suit and your alligator boot
You won't need a launderette, you can send them to the vet!
I get my advice from the advertising world
Treat me nice says the party girl
Koke adds life where there isn't any
So freeze, man, freeze
Koka Kola advertising and kokaine
Strolling down the Broadway in the rain
Neon light sign says it
I read it in the paper-they're crazy!
Suit your life, maybe so
In the White House-I know
All Over Berlin (they've been doing it for years)
And in Manhattan!
Coming through the door is a snub nose 44
What the barrel can't snort it can spatter on the floor
Your eyeballs feel like pinballs
And your tongue feels like a fish
You're leaping from the windows-saying don't
Ayaiiiiirrrghhh! *@!!*@!!*!
Don't give me none of this!
I get good advice from the advertising world
Treat me nice says the party girl
Koke adds life where there isn't any
So freeze, man, freeze
Hit the deck!
The Clash's song "Koka Kola Advertising & Cocaine" satirizes the relationship between advertising, consumerism, and drug addiction. The lyrics describe the world of corporate executives making money and hopping from skyscraper windows, all while being influenced by advertising and drugs. The advertising world provides the singer with guidance and assures him that he will be treated well by material pleasures. The repeating refrain of "Koke adds life where there isn't any" refers to the "life" that cocaine apparently brings and how it is sold as a way to enhance one's existence.
The song exposes the insidious nature of advertising and the effect it has on consumerism and drug use. The reference to the "pause that refreshes" is the tagline of Coca-Cola, which is a nod to the song's title and the connection between the soft drink, advertising, and drug culture. The song sheds light on the power dynamics at play in the corporate and political worlds, as well as the impact of drugs on the psyche of people. The final lines suggest that the consequences of drug use are dire, leading to paranoia and delirium.
Line by Line Meaning
Elevator! Going up!
We are entering the high-rise of the corporate elite.
In the gleaming corridors of the 51st floor
The opulence of the upper echelon stretches out before us.
The money can be made if you really want some more
The desire for wealth is the fuel that propels these executives to greater heights.
Executive decision-a clinical precision
The wielding of power is a cold, calculated act.
Jumping from the windows-filled with indecision
The guilt and uncertainty of their actions may drive some to suicidal thoughts.
I get good advice from the advertising world
The messaging of the media and advertisers shapes my worldview.
Treat me nice says the party girl
The seductive nature of advertising appeals to our need for attention and flattery.
Koke adds life where there isn't any
The promise of a better, more exciting life is dangled before us through marketing.
So freeze, man, freeze
We are encouraged to become passive consumers, frozen in our desire for more.
It's the pause that refreshes in the corridors of power
Taking momentary breaks to indulge in vices is a common practice for those in leadership positions.
When top men need a top up long before the happy hour
The stress and pressure of high-level decision-making drives some to rely on substances to cope.
Your snakeskin suit and your alligator boot
The extravagance and ostentatious display of wealth is a hallmark of the elite.
You won't need a launderette, you can send them to the vet!
Even the expense and upkeep of high-end clothing is no issue for the wealthy.
Koka Kola advertising and kokaine
The allure of both a popular beverage and a dangerous drug is exploited for the sake of marketing.
Strolling down the Broadway in the rain
The glamorous streets of New York City are the perfect backdrop for advertising and indulgence.
Neon light sign says it
The flashy and bright advertising lures us in and commands our attention.
I read it in the paper-they're crazy!
Even the media is taken in by the hype and excitement of advertising.
Suit your life, maybe so
Even the most mundane lifestyle can be improved through the use of these products.
In the White House-I know
The most powerful seat in the world is not immune to the influence of advertising and substances.
All Over Berlin (they've been doing it for years)
Indulgence and excess is not limited to just one place or time.
And in Manhattan!
The city that never sleeps is the perfect place for advertising and addiction to flourish.
Coming through the door is a snub nose 44
The inevitable consequences of addiction and reliance on substances may be violent and deadly.
What the barrel can't snort it can spatter on the floor
Even the barrel of a gun can be used as a tool to indulge in substances.
Your eyeballs feel like pinballs
The physical effects of drug use can be intense and disorienting.
And your tongue feels like a fish
The sensations of drug use can be strange and unpleasant.
You're leaping from the windows-saying don't
The desperation and danger of addiction may lead one to consider extreme actions to escape it.
Ayaiiiiirrrghhh! *@!!*@!!*!
The agony and torment of addiction is indescribable and overwhelming.
Don't give me none of this!
Rejecting the false promise of advertising and the dangers of addiction is a necessary step towards liberation.
Hit the deck!
In the face of danger or temptation, it is necessary to take action to protect oneself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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