Red Angel Dragnet
The Clash Lyrics
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And I know a fine thing when I see it
See it
For the same reason no one ever pointed a telescope at the sun
Talking about the Red Angels of N-Y City
Who shot the shot?
Who got shot tonight?
Who got shot tonight?
Not even five enforcement agencies can save their own
Never mind the people
Tonight it's raining on the Angels of the City (who got shot tonight?)
Did anyone prophesize these people?
Only Travis
Come in, Travis
"All the animals come out at night
Queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal (who got shot tonight?)
Some day a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets"
(Who got shot tonight?) the city knows
"Thank god for the rain to wash the trash off the sidewalk
Listen you screwheads, here is a man who would not take it anymore
A man who stood up against the scum, the filth
Now I see clearly"
Personally I know the alley
Where Jack feeds on the birds of night
Not even bubbies bicycling (two-by-two) can stop the blood and feathers flying
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who got shot tonight?)
Wearing overalls and for once and for all
What is the dream?
I'll tell it
To live like they do in the movies?
San Juan, you listening?
Yeah, I bet you are
Hands up for Hollywood (hooray!), I hear you
Snappy on the air, hang in there, wall to wall
You saved the world, what else, you saved the girl
Chmpagne on ice, no stranger to Alcatraz to boot
Or strip it down, chop it a little
Being reasonable
Just freedom to move, to live
For women to take a walk in the park at midnight (who got shot tonight?)
Hey, but this is serious, she can't even get back home (who got shot tonight?)
Who shot the shot that popped the cop that chopped the cop and made him drop?
"One of these days, I'm gonna get myself organizized"
The song "Red Angel Dragnet" by The Clash is a social commentary on the current state of New York City, specifically focusing on the violence and crime that was prevalent during the 1980s. The song is told through the eyes of an outsider, someone who is not from the city and can see things with a different perspective. The lyrics suggest that the violence and crime in New York City is so severe that not even law enforcement agencies can help. The reference to the "Red Angels" alludes to the gang violence that was present in the city at the time.
The song opens with the singer saying that they come from a long way away and can recognize a fine thing when they see it. The reference to the telescope and the sun represents how people avoid looking at something too closely when it might be too powerful or too dangerous. The "Red Angels" are then introduced as a symbol of the violence in the city. The chorus repeatedly asks who shot and who got shot tonight, emphasizing the unpredictability and danger of living in the city.
The lyrics then lead to a conversation between two people, one referred to as Travis. Travis is warning about the dangers of the city, saying that all the animals come out at night. He predicts that one day a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets. This conversation is juxtaposed with a second conversation, where someone is describing their dreams of living like they do in the movies. The contrast between these two conversations shows how the reality of living in New York City is far from glamorous.
Overall, the song is a powerful social commentary on the state of New York City in the 1980s. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the violence and danger that was present in the city, and how it affected people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I come from a long way away
I am not from around here.
And I know a fine thing when I see it
And I can recognize something great when I see it.
For the same reason no one ever pointed a telescope at the sun
Because some things are too bright or hot to look at.
Talking about the Red Angels of N-Y City
We are discussing some group called the Red Angels in New York City.
Who shot the shot?
Who fired the weapon?
Who got shot tonight?
Who is the victim of gun violence tonight?
Not even five enforcement agencies can save their own
There are too many problems for the authorities to handle.
Never mind the people
The authorities do not care about the regular citizens.
Tonight, it's raining on the Angels of the City (who got shot tonight?)
The Red Angels are under attack from unseen forces (who is being shot tonight?).
Did anyone prophesize these people?
Did anyone predict the fate of the Red Angels?
Only Travis
Only one person, Travis, predicted their fate.
Come in, Travis
We want to hear from Travis.
"All the animals come out at night
Queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal (who got shot tonight?)
All kinds of people are out at night and are vulnerable.
Some day a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets"
One day, society will change for the better.
"Thank god for the rain to wash the trash off the sidewalk
Rain helps keep everything clean.
Listen you screwheads, here is a man who would not take it anymore
Some people just can't stand for injustice anymore.
A man who stood up against the scum, the filth
Now I see clearly"
He fought against the people that cause problems, now he has a better understanding of the world.
Personally I know the alley
Where Jack feeds on the birds of night
I know of a place where bats hunt.
Not even bubbies bicycling (two-by-two) can stop the blood and feathers flying
Even police can't prevent the danger.
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who was the victim of gun violence tonight?)
"Wearing overalls and for once and for all
What is the dream?
I'll tell it
To live like they do in the movies?
Wearing normal clothes, what is the ultimate goal? To live a glamorous movie lifestyle?
San Juan, you listening?
Yeah, I bet you are
Are you listening, San Juan? I know you are.
Hands up for Hollywood (hooray!), I hear you
Snappy on the air, hang in there, wall to wall
A tribute to the entertainment industry.
You saved the world, what else, you saved the girl
Champagne on ice, no stranger to Alcatraz to boot
You have done everything, you saved the girl and get to drink champagne. Nothing can stop you.
Or strip it down, chop it a little
Being reasonable
Just freedom to move, to live
Let's focus on a more reasonable and modest lifestyle. We should have the freedom to live our lives the way we want.
For women to take a walk in the park at midnight (who got shot tonight?)
Hey, but this is serious, she can't even get back home (who got shot tonight?)
Women should be able to take a walk in the park at night safely. Unfortunately, in our current society, even returning home safely is a concern.
Who shot the shot that popped the cop that chopped the cop and made him drop?
"One of these days, I'm gonna get myself organizized"
Who was responsible for firing the shot that led to a chain reaction of events that eventually led to the cop dropping his weapon? We need to get more organized as a society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, PAUL SIMONON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ottodidakt3069
For the all time Clash lover and ex Guardian Angel that I am this song always hit home !
@Cundalini3192
Yes this song was actually dedicated by The Clash to the Guardian Angels
@shewolfcub3
I absolutely love this song, one of the coolest sounding compositions they ever made and Paul's voice is awesome!
@cythera431
And Kosmo Vinyl as Travis Bickle.
@koko40800
This song and this whole album was a revelation to me as a young teen...I bought the cassette when it came out :-)
@BrianBrayMedia
Paul's voice was always awesome. Sometimes I wish he sang more often.
@thomassnider6691
I used to call the request line of a classic rock station asking to hear this song. Never played it. However, one time I was listening to a public radio station and asked to hear it. They did not play it either, but they did play Janie Jones off the first Clash album, and this was during a show that was playing African music. Talk about cool.
@justincase4812
Love the spoken word/rap by Paul. Hot track on a massive album.
@cythera431
The variety of songs/sounds on this album is amazing (and I never listen to "Rock the Casbah" or "Should I Stay or should I Go?"). I guess "Sandinista!" is similar in variety of tracks, but it does not seem like bands make music like this anymore. I saw them on this tour in L.A. June 1982.
@alanchriston6806
Outstanding , could only be The CLASH
😊🏴☠️🥃