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's Rock
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 commentary on the complexities and contradictions of love and sex. The lyrics suggest that if you want to make "lover's rock," a style of reggae music associated with romantic themes, you must treat your lover right and know how to satisfy them physically. The song also critiques societal double standards around sex, particularly regarding men's sexual freedom and women's sexual agency. The reference to a woman forgetting to swallow something implies a possible unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection, adding further weight to the song's social commentary.
Musically, the song blends The Clash's punk rock sound with elements of reggae, reflecting their interest in and influence by Jamaican music. The repeated chorus of "Whose rock? They call it 'Lover's Rock'" reinforces the song's theme of the complicated nature of love and the various cultural and artistic forms it can take on.
Line by Line Meaning
You must treat your lover girl right
In order to make love and enjoy the music genre of Lover's Rock, you must treat your female partner with the respect and kindness she deserves.
If you wanna make lover's rock
Making love to the rhythm of Lover's Rock requires proper treatment of your partner in order to fully enjoy the experience.
You must know a place you can kiss
It is important to identify the spots on your partner's body that will enhance the experience of Lover's Rock when kissed.
To make lover's rock
All the elements of love and passion must come together to enjoy the Lover's Rock genre to the fullest.
Everybody knows it's a crying shame
It is widely known that not treating your partner with respect and dignity during the experience of making love to Lover's Rock is a terrible mistake.
But nobody knows the poor baby's name
Despite the widespread knowledge of the importance of treating one's partner with respect during the Lover's Rock experience, the mistakes often go unnoticed and ignored.
When she forgot that thing that she had
If a woman forgets to use a contraceptive or protection during the Lover's Rock experience, the potential consequences could be disastrous.
Yeah to swallow
Refers to the act of swallowing a contraceptive pill to prevent unplanned pregnancies during the Lover's Rock experience.
Oh you Western man, you're free with your seed
Western men are often carefree and negligent with their sexual activity and the potential consequences of unplanned pregnancies during Lover's Rock.
When you make lover's rock
The careless behavior of Western men during the Lover's Rock experience is likely to result in unplanned pregnancies and unwanted responsibility.
But woops, there goes the strength that you need
The unplanned consequence of parenthood during Lover's Rock leaves men without the emotional, financial, and social resources they need to enjoy the Lover's Rock experience.
To make real cool lover's rock
Enjoying the Lover's Rock genre requires coolness, calmness, and a relaxed frame of mind which is likely to be lost with the added responsibility of parenthood.
A genuine lover takes off his clothes
A true Lover's Rock lover is one who sheds all inhibitions and physical coverings in order to fully express the experience of making love.
And he can make a lover in a thousand go's
A genuine man of Lover's Rock can make his partner experience the height of pleasure and satisfaction through countless rounds of love-making.
An' she don't need that thing that she had
With a genuine Lover's Rock partner, the need for contraception becomes reduced as there is a higher sense of trust and respect in the relationship.
Yeah to swallow, know what I mean? Oh
The need for swallowing contraceptives or taking other measures of protection is lower with an honest and loving partner in Lover's Rock.
Whose rock? They call it "Lover's Rock"
The song is questioning the origin and claim to the Lover's Rock genre with repetition of the phrase.
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. 🙌