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
Rudie Can't Fail
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the route of the nineteen bus
We hear them sayin'
How you get a rude and a reckless?
Don't you be so crude and feckless
You been drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no)
We reply
I know that my life make you nervous
But I tell you I can't live in service
Like the doctor who was born for a purpose
Rudie can't fail (ok)
I went to the market to realize my soul
What I need I just don't have (oh no)
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
They say, Rudie can't fail
First you must cure your temper
Then find a job in a paper
You need someone for a savior
Rudie can't fail
We reply
Now we get a rude and a reckless
To be seen lookin' cool an' speckless
And drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no, no)
I went to the market to realize my soul
'Cause what I need I just don't have
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
Rudie can't fail
Okay! Okay!
So where you want to go today?
Hey, boss man!
You're looking pretty smart
(Chicken skin suit) with your chicken skin suit
You think you're pretty hot
(Pork pie hat) In the pork pie hat
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
The Clash’s "Rudie Can't Fail" is a ska-based song that explores the life of a rude boy, or "rudy", in the 1960s. The song opens with the singer urging Michael to sing as they ride on the route of the nineteen bus. They hear people discussing the behavior of a rudy who is rude and reckless, but the singer and Michael see this as a way of life that they refuse to give up. They assert their independence and reject a life of servitude.
The singer then goes to the market to find himself, but he is faced with people who try to make him conform to their expectations. The lyrics suggest that to be a rudy, one must be both rude and reckless, while also being cool and stylish. The refrain of “Rudie can’t fail” serves as an affirmation of their devotion to this lifestyle.
Overall, the song is a celebration of nonconformity and individualism. The lyrics suggest that the rudies are living life on their own terms, regardless of what others may think of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, sing, Michael, sing
Let's start the song!
On the route of the nineteen bus
We're on the go, traveling to our destination on this particular bus route.
How you get a rude and a reckless?
How did you become so unruly and careless?
Don't you be so crude and feckless
Don't act so impolite and irresponsible.
You been drinking brew for breakfast
Have you been drinking alcohol so early in the morning?
Rudie can't fail (no, no)
We're confident that we'll succeed and overcome obstacles, even if others doubt us.
I know that my life make you nervous
I know my lifestyle makes you anxious.
But I tell you I can't live in service
However, I cannot live a life of subservience.
Like the doctor who was born for a purpose
I have a purpose in my own life, just as a doctor may have their own calling.
Rudie can't fail (ok)
I trust in my own ability to succeed, even if others don't believe in me.
I went to the market to realize my soul
I went to the market to search for meaning and purpose in my life.
What I need I just don't have (oh no)
Unfortunately, I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
People criticize and pressure me until it becomes unbearable.
They say, Rudie can't fail
Despite their efforts to bring me down, I refuse to fail.
First you must cure your temper
Before you can succeed, you must learn to control your emotions.
Then find a job in a paper
You should search for job openings in the newspaper.
You need someone for a savior
You need someone to rescue you from your current lifestyle.
Now we get a rude and a reckless
Now, we're behaving just as recklessly as others claimed we were before.
To be seen lookin' cool an' speckless
We want to be perceived as cool and flawless in appearance.
And drinking brew for breakfast
But, we're also drinking alcohol in the morning, just like before.
Okay! Okay!
Alright, let's move on.
So where you want to go today?
What's our plan for today?
Hey, boss man!
Hey there, authority figure!
You're looking pretty smart
You look intelligent and well-dressed.
(Chicken skin suit) with your chicken skin suit
(wearing) your expensive suit.
You think you're pretty hot
You seem to be quite overconfident in yourself.
(Pork pie hat) in the pork pie hat
(wearing) a trendy pork pie hat.
Rudie can't fail
No matter what others say, we remain confident in our own abilities to succeed and overcome obstacles.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brijones
Now, sing, Michael, sing
On the route of the nineteen bus
We hear them sayin'
How you get a rude and a reckless?
Don't you be so crude and feckless
You been drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no)
We reply
I know that my life make you nervous
But I tell you I can't live in service
Like the doctor who was born for a purpose
Rudie can't fail (ok)
I went to the market to realize my soul
What I need I just don't have (oh no)
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
They say, Rudie can't fail
First you must cure your temper
Then find a job in a paper
You need someone for a savior
Rudie can't fail
We reply
Now we get a rude and a reckless
To be seen lookin' cool an' speckless
And drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no, no)
I went to the market to realize my soul
'Cause what I need I just don't have
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
Rudie can't fail
Okay! Okay!
So where you want to go today?
Hey, boss man!
You're looking pretty smart
(Chicken skin suit) with your chicken skin suit
You think you're pretty hot
(Pork pie hat) In the pork pie hat
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
@joeymanson2222
Its like four days from another anniversary of losing Joe Strummer in our musical world.
I was blessed and so impressed when i saw him preform this cut with the Mescaleros.
He was supprting Global a Go Go ....house of blues Anaheim.
Amazing show. Joey Ramone had just passed i remeber and they covered Blitzkrieg Bop?
I got so wasted that night. Remeber like %95 of it all. Tymon Dogg was talking to young Punkx outside before the show and....drank a lot of free Patron after the show and tried to get a threesome together with my girl amd her gf.
Missed it by that much.
The tequila was from some schmuck buying my old lady and her gfs drinks .
Pirates life.
RIP Joe
@erlineandrews
I love the way Joe says "Sing, Michael, sing!" at the beginning. Two different vocal styles that complemented each other wonderfully. 🙂
@kloggmonkey
this was the first record i ever bought and i remember thinking it was a 'greatest hits' album, seeing as every track was an absolute hit.
@lekkerlekkerleslie
I had the same thought! Also because it sounded quite deverse I suppose?
@larsvargas8479
The album is number 8 on the Rolling Stone magazine top 500 albums of all time...
@plate1014
london calling is a very good album
@jkm3297
haha yup
@2nd_snideelf144
No filler there. American rock bands would do that. Get one or two hit tracks and put it on an album with filler crap music. So that a rock band might have a whole album of good music, but they spread that music out over several albums to make good money from loyal fans.
@zawarski
Hands down, the album I would want if I was stuck on an island.
@stephenwarburton9741
I agree.
@stalehansen2341
I would prefer a boat. That being said, I have been a Clash-fan since London Calling in 1980. And yes, I know your not stuck on an island if you have a (sail) boat.