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
Mustapha Dance
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shareef
Rockin the casbah
Rock
He thinks it's not kosher
Fundamentally he can't take it
Really, really hates it
The lyrics of "Mustapha Dance" by The Clash are charged with socio-political commentary and irony. The song explores themes of rebellion and the clash of cultures in a particularly insightful way. The opening stanza is littered with metaphors and symbolism, with the sheik driving his Cadillac and the Shareef rocking the casbah. The sheik, who is known for being wealthy and successful, is unable to tolerate the cultural rebellion represented by the Shareef's behavior. The sheik thinks it is not kosher and fundamentally can't take it. These lyrics suggest that even those at the top of society are not immune to the changes or rebellions that occur in society.
The chorus of the song, "Rock the Casbah," is especially intriguing because the Casbah is a traditional Arab quarter in cities in North Africa, which was renowned for its conservative values and lifestyle. The Clash uses the phrase "Rock the Casbah" to refer to a rebellion or the act of subverting tradition. The line "You know he really hates it, really, really hates it" truly encapsulates the message of the song, which is that on a deeper level, the Sheik and others in similar positions despise change and new waves of ideas that ultimately affect their status.
Line by Line Meaning
The sheik he drove his cadillac
The wealthy Arab sheikh was seen driving around in his expensive Cadillac car.
Shareef
A title given to a Muslim leader or ruler in the Middle East.
Rockin the casbah
Playing loud music and dancing, which is forbidden in traditional Muslim culture.
Rock
A genre of music that is often associated with rebellion and non-conformity.
He thinks it's not kosher
The sheikh believes that the behavior of the people who are 'rockin the casbah' is not acceptable according to Muslim law.
Fundamentally he can't take it
The sheikh is deeply offended by the actions of those who are breaking the cultural norms.
You know he really hates it
The sheikh despises the fact that his cultural traditions are being challenged and disregarded by the younger generation.
Really, really hates it
The sheikh's hatred towards the behavior of others is intense and absolute.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robbiestewart89
I always did prefer this dub instrumental version over the regular version of it. Back in '82 when this song was popular, none of the local radio stations where I lived at was playing this version, hence I didn't know about it. That was until my mom and I had to make a trip up to Newport News, Virginia in '83 and whilst going through my birthplace on I-40, I had the radio on my boom box tuned into 107.5 WKZL and that's where I heard this version at for the first time. Needless to say the least, I had my tape recorder running that day and I used to play the heck out of that mix tape when I got back home. Good memories.
@railenthusiast4830
+Robbie Stewart Our local album rock station actually played this version in their rotation in 1982 and I was loving it. Matter of fact, they played a lot of the 12 inch singles and import variations of songs that were harder to come by back then.
@destonlee2838
hear here! Rock The Casbah is the song that woke me to the Clash in 1982; I was 11. Mustafah Dance, three years later in 1985 sealed them as one of my all time hit list bands due to its universalist approach, part of the great embrace of cultures this band exemplifies. Few artists sought influence globally, and few artists had global influence. they are one in the same, and the Clash (particularly strummer and jones) understood that.
@MrBetaRayBill
The Mustafa version was so cool. I liked it a much as the version with the lyrics. Both versions never failed to put me in a good mood.
@kennethgraham1829
Funny, they played this remix ALL THE TIME in Philadelphia on a number of radio stations. I bought it right away.
Still “Straight to Hell” is my favorite song on this Combat Rock.
“Somebody Got Murdered” is absolutely my favorite Clash song from Sandinista.
@rustykuntz94
All respect to Topper for pretty much coming up with the hook & unique drum track to Casbah
@bonanzabear288
Yep, shame Topper was sacked I think before the Combat Rock tour ever got going. That damn Heroin again
@kanejules7939
Could listen to that bass-line all day...and I probably will
@ajs41
Time well spent IMO.
@Lexthebarbarian
One of the best bass lines in history.