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
Lightning Strikes
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New York
It may be dark but I want to talk
It might rain, it might snow
Too many things I got to know
If this is spring than it's time to sing
Never mind the l'il birdies wing
Look out, look out, old New York
Hey! Strike! Not once...
Strike! But twice!
Get out your money - peel a slab
Roll some notes an' hail a cab
Drive in church drive in back
Drive down Seventh in a tank
Take in the sights, feel the breeze
See New York's one and only tree
It can be found in Garbage park
But don't inspect it after dark
Strike! New York! Lightning!
Not once but twice.
Accidental hike in the transit strike
Roller skate or ride a bike
Three to a car, Brooklyn Bridge
You won't get far if you're privileged
Graffiti Jack sprays in black
An Englishman can he read it back?
Deli Joe he ought to know
He runs the gang on Pastrami Row
Strike! Lightning strike!
Because glass to glass, street to street
Buildings touch St. Peter's feet
From car to bar, prez to shah
Everything is in the jar
The four winds blow 'cause the 4 winds know
Takes a special hustle to make a roll
Honey girl on her feet
I wish everything to make her sweet
Strike! Twice! OK so roll!
From Harlem! Strike one!
Harlem slum to penthouse block
On every door I already knocked
There wasn't anybody that I didn't leave alone
Somebody lying under every stone
Everything that a man could need
In a bag down by my knee
That looks good, this ain't got seeds
Cheaper than booze down in the Bowery
Lightning strike! Old New York!
Everything's light! Strike!
Hey ho such a night
I'll see y'all when the lightning strike
A Polaroid caught in the act
You're married too and that's a fact
But I won't peek and I won't squeak
Down by the trucks on Christopher Street
It's Cuban Day - Oi Vey
Chinese New Year let's call it a day
Tootsie! Hey Chi man!
That melody is Puerto Rican
Hey Chi man is what he's speaking
An' there's the road down into London Town
Where many cars get broken down
It's the Westway from Ladbroke Grove
Runs down to Old Hounslow
Just thought I'd mention the new extension
That run's down the 59th street intersection
Did you hear the news y'all?
London Town on the Broadway!
In "Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice)" by The Clash, the lyrics describe the city of New York and its vibrancy. The song celebrates the energy and constant motion of the city, highlighting the many different experiences to be found within it. The opening lines suggest that there is a sense of impending danger, with lightning strikes threatening to disrupt the routine of city life. However, the singer is undeterred, eager to explore New York and learn all that it has to offer. The following verses describe various experiences and sights that can be found in the city, from driving down Seventh Avenue to seeing graffiti in Brooklyn to walking through Harlem. The chorus repeats the idea of lightning striking twice, representing the constant excitement and unexpected surprises that can be found in New York.
Line by Line Meaning
Now lightning strikes in old
Something big and unexpected is going on in old New York.
New York
The place where something big and unexpected is happening.
It may be dark but I want to talk
Despite the chaos, there is something important to say.
It might rain, it might snow
The weather is unpredictable, but there's something worth experiencing.
Too many things I got to know
There are countless questions to be answered.
If this is spring than it's time to sing
It's time to embrace life, even in the face of hardship.
Never mind the l'il birdies wing
Don't let distractions keep you from experiencing something important.
Look out, look out, old New York
Be aware and alert, something big is happening in New York.
New York's coming an' New York talks
New York is a force to be reckoned with, and has something important to say.
Hey! Strike! Not once...
This is a call to action to experience something amazing.
Strike! But twice!
It's not just a one-time experience, it's worth experiencing twice.
Get out your money - peel a slab
Get ready to spend some money and indulge in the experience.
Roll some notes an' hail a cab
Get a taxi and head towards the experience.
Drive in church drive in back
Experience everything, even if it seems unlikely or contradictory.
Drive down Seventh in a tank
Nothing can stop you from experiencing this, not even a tank.
Take in the sights, feel the breeze
Experience all the sensations of being in New York.
See New York's one and only tree
Check out the unique aspects of New York that make it special.
It can be found in Garbage park
Even a tree in a park named Garbage is worth experiencing.
But don't inspect it after dark
Be careful not to miss out because it got too dark to experience it.
Strike! New York! Lightning!
Emphasizes that there is something big and exciting happening in New York.
Not once but twice.
You need to experience this more than once to truly appreciate it.
Accidental hike in the transit strike
Even when things go wrong, there are unexpected experiences to be had.
Roller skate or ride a bike
Experience something new, like riding a bike or wearing roller skates.
Three to a car, Brooklyn Bridge
Experience something together with others, like driving over Brooklyn Bridge.
You won't get far if you're privileged
Everyone deserves to experience things, not just those who are privileged.
Graffiti Jack sprays in black
Even things that some people see as unsightly, like graffiti, can still be an experience.
An Englishman can he read it back?
Different people from different backgrounds may have different experiences with the same thing.
Deli Joe he ought to know
Someone who has experienced something before can give valuable insight about it.
He runs the gang on Pastrami Row
Even commonplace things, like a deli on a street, can be worth experiencing.
Because glass to glass, street to street
Everything is connected and makes up the overall experience of New York.
Buildings touch St. Peter's feet
The buildings are so tall they reach up to the heavens.
From car to bar, prez to shah
Everyone and everything is part of the experience that is New York.
Everything is in the jar
Everything you could possibly experience is a part of New York.
The four winds blow 'cause the 4 winds know
The forces of nature are aligned with New York and the overall experience of it.
Takes a special hustle to make a roll
To truly experience New York takes hard work and dedication.
Honey girl on her feet
There are unique people to experience in New York, like a young beautiful woman.
I wish everything to make her sweet
You want everyone and everything to be the best it can be to make your experience even better.
Strike! Twice! OK so roll!
This is so amazing you're compelled to experience it again, and keep experiencing it over and over.
From Harlem! Strike one!
Even less popular areas of New York, like Harlem, can have amazing experiences.
Harlem slum to penthouse block
You can experience the entire spectrum of New York, from poor areas to rich areas.
On every door I already knocked
You've already experienced everything and everyone that you could in New York.
There wasn't anybody that I didn't leave alone
No one in New York was left ignored or unexperienced.
Somebody lying under every stone
There are hidden experiences to uncover and discover around every corner in New York.
Everything that a man could need
New York has everything you could ever want to experience.
In a bag down by my knee
You're carrying all your experiences with you as you leave New York.
That looks good, this ain't got seeds
There are new and exciting things to experience all the time in New York.
Cheaper than booze down in the Bowery
Even though it's cheap, this experience is still worth it and valuable.
Lightning strike! Old New York!
Emphasizes the awesomeness and power of the experience of old New York.
Everything's light! Strike!
Everything is coming together to create an amazing, unforgettable experience in New York.
Hey ho such a night
This is a special, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.
I'll see y'all when the lightning strike
I'll be back to experience this again when the opportunity arises.
A Polaroid caught in the act
Capturing a moment and turning it into an experience, like taking a picture with a Polaroid.
You're married too and that's a fact
Even relationships can be part of experiencing what New York has to offer.
But I won't peek and I won't squeak
Sometimes the best experiences are kept secret and not shared with others.
Down by the trucks on Christopher Street
Even the less glamorous parts of New York can be worth experiencing.
It's Cuban Day - Oi Vey
New York has unique events and holidays that are worth experiencing, like Cuban Day.
Chinese New Year let's call it a day
Experience everything you can of Chinese New Year, then move on to the next thing.
Tootsie! Hey Chi man!
People of different cultures and backgrounds can come together to experience things in New York.
That melody is Puerto Rican
Even music can be part of experiencing New York and its various cultures.
Hey Chi man is what he's speaking
Different people may have different experiences and ways of communicating in New York.
An' there's the road down into London Town
Even London has its own unique experiences worth having.
Where many cars get broken down
Even the experiences that go wrong can still be memorable and worth having.
It's the Westway from Ladbroke Grove
Different parts of London can offer unique experiences, like the Westway from Ladbroke Grove.
Runs down to Old Hounslow
Even the far reaches of London have experiences to offer.
Just thought I'd mention the new extension
Even what seems mundane and unimportant can be worth experiencing.
That run's down the 59th street intersection
Even getting to and from the experience can be part of the experience itself.
Did you hear the news y'all?
There's something exciting to experience and you don't want to miss it.
London Town on the Broadway!
Even London can have a place in the overall experience of New York and its Broadway.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@camiloalbertohernandezfaut4798
Now lightning strikes in old
New York
It may be dark but I want to talk
It might rain, it might snow
Too many things I got to know
If this is spring than it's time to sing
Never mind the l'il birdies wing
Look out, look out, old New York
New York's coming an' New York talks
Hey! Strike! Not once...
Strike! But twice!
Get out your money - peel a slab
Roll some notes an' hail a cab
Drive in church drive in back
Drive down Seventh in a tank
Take in the sights, feel the breeze
See New York's one and only tree
It can be found in Garbage park
But don't inspect it after dark
Strike! New York! Lightning!
Not once but twice.
Accidental hike in the transit strike
Roller skate or ride a bike
Three to a car, Brooklyn Bridge
You won't get far if you're privileged
Graffiti Jack sprays in black
An Englishman can he read it back?
Deli Joe he ought to know
He runs the gang on Pastrami Row
Strike! Lightning strike!
Because glass to glass, street to street
Buildings touch St. Peter's feet
From car to bar, prez to shah
Everything is in the jar
The four winds blow 'cause the 4 winds know
Takes a special hustle to make a roll
Honey girl on her feet
I wish everything to make her sweet
Strike! Twice! OK so roll!
From Harlem! Strike one!
Harlem slum to penthouse block
On every door I already knocked
There wasn't anybody that I didn't leave alone
Somebody lying under every stone
Everything that a man could need
In a bag down by my knee
That looks good, this ain't got seeds
Cheaper than booze down in the Bowery
Lightning strike! Old New York!
Everything's light! Strike!
Hey ho such a night
I'll see y'all when the lightning strike
A Polaroid caught in the act
You're married too and that's a fact
But I won't peek and I won't squeak
Down by the trucks on Christopher Street
It's Cuban Day - Oi Vey
Chinese New Year let's call it a day
Tootsie! Hey Chi man!
That melody is Puerto Rican
Hey Chi man is what he's speaking
An' there's the road down into London Town
Where many cars get broken down
It's the Westway from Ladbroke Grove
Runs down to Old Hounslow
Just thought I'd mention the new extension
That run's down the 59th street intersection
Did you hear the news y'all?
London Town on the Broadway!
Traducir al español
Fuente: LyricFind
Compositores: Joe Strummer / Mick Jones / Topper Headon
Letra de Lightning Strikes (Not Once but Twice) © Universal Music Publishing Group
@lopakavolmer6723
Perfection. One album to the grave, this. Drove 40 miles to get the 8-track!
@vonslagle
Sandinista is Amazing
@a_vargmark
Yeah I love it. Need to get it on vinyl ASAP.
@darthwatson8274
"I'd just like to say, let's have some music now huh". The radio DJ was just sitting there for ages just talking ahahahaha.
@avisoncino8665
The Clash were such an amazing band!! Perfect examples of a group who were able to blend many different stylistic ideas and genres and make it something original and unique!!!
@kymanbedford-brown1323
Completely agree
@spunchbop5081
Woah a Clash notification
@user-ve3fk2jd2l
Once upon a time there was a really British sound!!!! The most complete album along with the first album of Talking Heads
@willyjanssen6932
Talking Heads were American.... ;-)
@karlstuber6399
They had that British sound.