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
Lover
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you wanna make lover's rock
You must know a place you can kiss
To make lover's rock
Everybody knows it's a crying shame
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
When she forgot that thing that she had
Oh you Western man, you're free with your seed
When you make lover's rock
But woops, there goes the strength that you need
To make real cool lover's rock
A genuine lover takes off his clothes
And he can make a lover in a thousand go's
An' she don't need that thing that she had
Yeah to swallow, know what I mean? Oh
Yeah, you must treat your lover girl right
To make lover's rock
You must know a place you can kiss
To make lover's rock
Everybody knows it's a crying shame
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
When she forgot that thing that she had
Oh to swallow, hey
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
The Clash's song "Lover's Rock" is a playful and cheeky take on the concept of romance and intimacy. The lyrics explore the importance of treating one's lover with respect and tenderness, and the role that physical intimacy plays in a healthy relationship. The chorus repeatedly asks "Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock,'" emphasizing the idea that this type of music is meant for lovers to enjoy and express their affection.
The first verse advises the listener that to truly create "Lover's rock", they must treat their lover properly and understand the importance of physical affection. The second verse critiques a Western attitude towards sex, where men are free to spread their seed but sometimes miss out on the true intimacy of a lasting relationship. The third and final verse concludes with the importance of true connection and intimacy between lovers, and the repeated chorus acts as a celebration of this type of music and the relationships it represents.
Overall, "Lover's Rock" is a lighthearted and playful song that celebrates intimacy and the joys of romantic relationships. Its lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, but with its catchy chorus and upbeat melody, it remains a beloved classic in The Clash's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
You must treat your lover girl right
If you want to make lover's rock, you need to be kind to your partner
If you wanna make lover's rock
This is a song about making love and experiencing romantic feelings
You must know a place you can kiss
Knowing where to kiss your partner is important in creating a romantic atmosphere
To make lover's rock
The goal is to make sweet love, specifically through the making of a style of music called 'lover's rock'
Everybody knows it's a crying shame
The fact that people don't treat their partners right is a common problem
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
The woman who was mistreated remains anonymous
When she forgot that thing that she had
When she forgot to take birth control
Yeah to swallow
The pill needs to be swallowed in order for it to be effective
Oh you Western man, you're free with your seed
This line implies that men from Western countries are more promiscuous and careless when it comes to sex
When you make lover's rock
Even though you might be carefree during sex, the goal is to make 'lover's rock' at the end of the day
But woops, there goes the strength that you need
By being careless, you risk losing your virility and masculinity
To make real cool lover's rock
To make a genuine and satisfying experience, you need to be responsible and reliable
A genuine lover takes off his clothes
True love involves vulnerability and exposing oneself beyond mere physicality
And he can make a lover in a thousand go's
With practice, you can perfect the art of making love to the point of being a true lover
An' she don't need that thing that she had
The pill is not necessary if you're truly in love
Yeah to swallow, know what I mean? Oh
This line reiterates that the pill doesn't need to be taken
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
The chorus repeats the song's theme of 'lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's rock'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Yeah, you must treat your lover girl right
If you wanna make lover's rock
You must know the place you can kiss
To make lover's rock
Everybody knows it's a cryin' shame
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
But she forgot that thing that she had
(Ohh) To swallow
You Western man, you're free with your seed
When you make lover's rock
But woops there goes the strength that you need
To make lover's rock
A genuine lover takes off his clothes
And he can make a lover in a thousand goes
But she don't need that thing that she had
(Ohh) To swallow
(Know what I mean?)
Yeah, you must treat your lover girl right
To make lover's rock
You must know the place you can kiss
To make lover's rock
Everybody knows it's a crying shame
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
When she forgot that thing that she had
(Ohh) To swallow
Yeah you throw away all your human theories
Once, you lost that grubby feeling
Yeah hey!
(They call it lover's rock)
Ridiculous innit?
But that's what they call it
(They call it lover's rock)
So, follow me now
On the floor now
Throw your dollars!
It's enormous!
@stephencoomer5692
Yeah, you must treat your lover girl right
If you wanna make lover's rock
You must know the place you can kiss
To make lover's rock
Everybody knows it's a cryin' shame
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
But she forgot that thing that she had
(Ohh) To swallow
You Western man, you're free with your seed
When you make lover's rock
But woops there goes the strength that you need
To make lover's rock
A genuine lover takes off his clothes
And he can make a lover in a thousand goes
But she don't need that thing that she had
(Ohh) To swallow
(Know what I mean?)
Yeah, you must treat your lover girl right
To make lover's rock
You must know the place you can kiss
To make lover's rock
Everybody knows it's a crying shame
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
When she forgot that thing that she had
(Ohh) To swallow
Yeah you throw away all your human theories
Once, you lost that grubby feeling
Yeah hey!
(They call it lover's rock)
Ridiculous innit?
But that's what they call it
(They call it lover's rock)
So, follow me now
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
On the floor now
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
Throw your dollars!
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
(They call it lover's rock)
It's enormous!
(They call it lover's rock)
@chigwesibanyama1148
The last 2 minutes are AWESOME!!!
@johnscialfa7391
so is the first 2
@johnscialfa7391
@Talorc MacAllan ?
@priscazeni5855
Lol
@daviddemille1586
I love Mick Jones backing vocals on this track---"Uh oh way oh!"
@avisoncino8665
Mick Jones is a genius, I love how he uses those pinch harmonics in his guitar fills to really help accent the lyrics! What an underrated player.
@priscazeni5855
❤
@gogoyubari366
What makes you believe he's underrated?
@jamesmcnellis7457
Mick Jones 🎸 & Topper Headon 🎿 are both Heavily Under-Rated as musicians 🎼
@jamesmcnellis7457
@Cap'n Crunch by rite Mick Jones should be rated inside Top 10🌠 guitarist's & as for Topper he should be Inside Top 03🌠 drummer's. C-City Rockers. 🙌