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, even though it was released near the end of 1979 at first (technically, Jan 1980, in the United States).
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. This was officially confirmed in 2003, when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their five big albums from their heyday ('The Clash', 'Give 'Em Enough Rope', 'London Calling', 'Sandinista!', and 'Combat Rock') continue to earn a great deal of interest from rock fans into the new millennium.
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 β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Keith Levene β lead guitar
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes β drums, percussion
1977
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes β drums, percussion
1977-1982 Classic line-up
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Topper Headon β drums, percussion
1982-1983
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Terry Chimes β drums, percussion
1983
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Mick Jones β lead guitar, backing vocals
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard β drums, percussion
1983-1986 Final line-up
Joe Strummer β lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Nick Sheppard β lead guitar, backing vocals
Vince White β lead guitar
Paul Simonon β bass guitar, backing vocals
Pete Howard β drums, percussion
Pouring Rain
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could see as I rode in
The ships were gone and the pit fell in (inaudible)
A funeral bell tolled the hour in
A lonely drunkard slumbering
Not even the twang of the guitar
Not even the shadows of desire
Caught in the pouring pouring rain
Breeze black windows on dead street
Where I was lived up on the cheap
(yeah, say!) Ask no questions, work and sleep
'til the old tango that's on date street
I can hear the sharpen of the pain
Some lucky stranger in the rain
Hear the shouting of the rain
Lucky stranger... in the rain!
Hammers beat in dusty times
On these weedy rusted lines
Mocking the sun and optimistic signs
All these weedy gates of iron
The sun won't shine my way again
My lucky moon was on the wane
Oh I never saw a star again
In the pouring pouring rain
A salty band played in the train
A sad trombone and some refrain
The future pointed to the weather vane
The old calypso died of shame
I hear the shouting of the pain
Some lucky stranger in the rain
Hear the shouting of the pain
Lucky stranger - pouring rain
Pouring rain!
The Clash's song "Pouring Rain" is a melancholic and introspective track that blends the punk energy and spirit of the band with a more experimental and atmospheric sound. The lyrics depict a dark and rainy urban landscape, where the singer wanders aimlessly through empty streets and dilapidated buildings, haunted by memories of loss, despair, and loneliness.
As the song begins, the singer describes a scene of devastation, as he sees ships leaving and pits falling in, perhaps a metaphor for the collapse of industrial or economic structures. The funeral bell tolling in the distance adds to the sense of desolation and hopelessness. The second verse focuses on the singer's own situation, as he lives in a rundown and anonymous neighborhood, working hard and keeping his head down. He hears the sharpen of pain and the shouting of the rain, but he feels disconnected and numb, unable to feel any emotions or desires.
The third verse introduces a hint of hope or redemption, as the singer hears a band playing on a train, and the future is pointed to the weather vane. However, the old calypso died of shame, implying that the traditional forms of music and culture are fading away or being replaced by something less authentic. The final chorus repeats the refrain of "pouring rain", emphasizing the pervasive and overwhelming nature of the depression and disillusionment that the song expresses.
Line by Line Meaning
I could see as I rode in
As I rode in, I observed my surroundings
The ships were gone and the pit fell in (inaudible)
The ships had disappeared, and the pit had caved in
A funeral bell tolled the hour in
I heard the sound of a funeral bell tolling the hour
A lonely drunkard slumbering
A solitary drunk was sleeping
Not even the twang of the guitar
No sounds of music were audible
Not even the siren wail of pain
No sounds of people suffering were heard
Not even the shadows of desire
No signs of wanting or yearning were present
Caught in the pouring pouring rain
Trapped in heavy rainfall
Breeze black windows on dead street
Windows on the street were dark and without air
Where I was lived up on the cheap
Where I lived was a low-cost option
(yeah, say!) Ask no questions, work and sleep
It was required of me to work and sleep without question
'til the old tango that's on date street
Until the tango on Date Street is outdated
I can hear the sharpen of the pain
I can hear the sharpness of the pain
Some lucky stranger in the rain
An unknown person is experiencing this pain
Hear the shouting of the rain
The rain is making a loud noise
Lucky stranger... in the rain!
The unknown person is fortunate to be in the rain
Hammers beat in dusty times
In dusty times, hammers were heard pounding
On these weedy rusted lines
On these rusty, thin lines
Mocking the sun and optimistic signs
Disagreeing with the sun and hopeful signs
All these weedy gates of iron
All of these fragile iron gates
The sun won't shine my way again
The sun won't shine in my direction again
My lucky moon was on the wane
My fortunate and auspicious circumstance was declining
Oh I never saw a star again
I had not seen any stars for some time
In the pouring pouring rain
Experiencing heavy rainfall
A salty band played in the train
A band played on the train, and a salty taste was present
A sad trombone and some refrain
A depressing trombone and verses were played
The future pointed to the weather vane
The future could be predicted based on weather patterns
The old calypso died of shame
Old calypso music was disregarded
Lucky stranger - pouring rain
An unknown person is fortunate to be caught in heavy rain
Pouring rain!
Heavy rainfall!
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Scott_M23
Iβm convinced no one actually dislikes post mick Jones clash. People are just afraid of saying it because the back lash they will receive. The live versions of all the MK2 songs in good quality are just as good as any Sandinista song.
@BadLuckLuke
...The Clash Mark II had some great songs like "North & South" and this one, plus they were a pretty cool live act ! ! !
@clash5j
It's been said before, but I'll say it again. There were some quality Clash songs written post Mick, but they were either left off Cut the Crap or recorded in such a way as to make them almost unrecognizable from how they were performed live
@deerhunter2218
Clash5j I disagree mate, when Michael got sacked the whole rhythm left the band, he and Johnny were great partners in lyrics and in the music itself, it was a shame they parted but great to see them at the charity gig for the firemen/women πππ
@williamlynd3052
Official live version is on the "Future is Unwritten" soundtrack. Studio versions are also included in the new Joe Strummer "001" boxed set.
@bertanderson2548
I was at that show in Seattle in 1984. My buddy and I had a great time.
@mustlovepretzels
Born on this day(August 21) John Graham Mellor aka Joe Strummer. R.I.P. Joe.
@michaelboyle2316
Great track, good sound
@DugyD97
Wish they recorded this in studio would of been good to hear it in crisp quality, but still brilliant raw :D
@mustlovepretzels
They did. Someone had posted it but obviously it was taken down.