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
Should I Stay Or Go
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here 'til the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
It's always tease, tease, tease
One day it's fine and next it's black
So if you want me off your back
Well, come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision's bugging me (esta indecisión me molesta)
If you don't want me, set me free (si no me quieres, líbrame)
Exactly whom I'm supposed to be (dime, ¿qué tengo ser?)
Don't you know which clothes even fit me? (¿Sabes qué ropa me queda?)
Come on and let me know (me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (¿Me debo ir o quedarme?)
Split
(¿Soplo, enfrío lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble (si me voy va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (si me quedo será el doble)
So you gotta let me know (me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble (si me voy va a haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double (si me quedo será el doble)
So you gotta let me know me tienes que decir (me tienes que decir)
Should I stay or should I go?
The Clash's song Should I Stay or Should I Go is one of their most popular and recognizable tracks that explores the themes of love, relationships, and commitment. The song's lyrics revolve around the singer's indecision whether to stay in a relationship where things are not clear or leave for something else. The repeated refrain "Should I stay or should I go?" highlights the confusion and frustration of the singer. The lyrics also touch on themes of power dynamics within a relationship, where the person in power is often teasing and manipulative, leaving the other person feeling confused and powerless.
Throughout the song, the singer is asking for clarity and communication from their partner in order to make a decision. They talk about how the teasing and mixed signals are confusing and that they need to know where they stand. The lyrics "One day it's fine and next it's black" showcase the volatile nature of the relationship, where things can switch from good to bad in a matter of moments.
The lyrics in Spanish add a layer of complexity to the song, with the phrase "esta indecisión me molesta" meaning "this indecision's bugging me." This line adds another dimension to the singer's situation, as they feel like they are being toyed with and are unable to make a decision due to their partner's constant teasing and indecisiveness.
Overall, Should I Stay or Should I Go is a relatable song that tackles universal themes of love and relationships in a catchy and energetic way, making it a timeless classic and a staple in The Clash's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling, you got to let me know
I need to know if you want our relationship to continue or end.
Should I stay or should I go?
I'm asking you to make a decision about our relationship's future.
If you say that you are mine / I'll be here 'til the end of time
If you commit to me, I will stay with you forever.
So you got to let me know / Should I stay or should I go?
I'm asking you once again to make a decision about our relationship.
It's always tease, tease, tease / You're happy when I'm on my knees
You enjoy playing games with me and having power over me.
One day it's fine and next it's black / So if you want me off your back
Your behavior towards me is unpredictable, and if you want me to leave you alone, let me know.
Well, come on and let me know / Should I stay or should I go?
Once again, I'm asking you to decide whether you want me or not.
This indecision's bugging me (esta indecisión me molesta) / If you don't want me, set me free (si no me quieres, líbrame)
I'm tired of being in limbo about our relationship. If you don't want to be with me, let me go.
Exactly whom I'm supposed to be (dime, ¿qué tengo ser?) / Don't you know which clothes even fit me? (¿Sabes qué ropa me queda?)
I don't know who you want me to be and what you find attractive about me.
Come on and let me know (me tienes que decir) / Should I cool it or should I blow? (¿Me debo ir o quedarme?)
Please tell me what you want me to do with our relationship, whether to continue taking it slow or speed things up.
Should I stay or should I go now? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?) / If I go there will be trouble (si me voy va a haber peligro) / And if I stay it will be double (si me quedo será el doble) / So you gotta let me know (me tienes que decir) / Should I cool it or should I blow? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?)
I'm once again asking you to make a decision about our relationship because there are consequences either way.
Should I stay or should I go now? (¿Enfrío o lo soplo?) / And if I stay it will be double (si me quedo será el doble)
I'm reminding you that if you want me to stay, our relationship would be more intense and complicated.
So you gotta let me know me tienes que decir (me tienes que decir) / Should I stay or should I go?
I'm asking you one last time to make a decision about our relationship.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alfredochicasvalencia610
LYRICS
Darling, you've got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here till the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
It's always tease, tease, tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees
One day is fine, the next is black
So if you want me off your back
Well, come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision's bugging me
(Esta indecisión me molesta)
If you don't want me, set me free
(Si no me quieres, líbrame)
Exactly who I'm supposed to be?
(Digame que tengo ser)
Don't you know which clothes even fit me?
(¿Sabes que ropa me quedrá?)
Come on and let me know
(Pero que tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow?
(¿Me debo ir o quedarme?)
Split!
Soplo
¿Me enfrío o lo soplo?
Should I stay or should I go now?
(¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now?
(¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble
(Si me voy va haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double
(Si me quedo es doble)
So you gotta let me know
(Me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow?
(¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?)
Should I stay or should I go now?
(¿Yo me enfrío o lo soplo?)
If I go there will be trouble
(Si me voy va haber peligro)
And if I stay it will be double
(Si me quedo es doble)
So you gotta let me know
(Me tienes que decir)
Should I stay or should I go?
@mike_420_
1982: Great song
1991: Levi's advertising
1999: Bravo Two Zero
2002: If i Were a Rich Man
2003: Rugrats Go Wild
2003: Code 46
2004: Taking Lives
2010: Iron Man 2
2014: Far Cry 4
2016: Stranger Things
2016: Lucifer Season 2
2018: Far Cry 5
2019: JoJo
2020: Love 101
2021: Cruella
@smittywerben2515
Demogorgons be like: should i stay or should i go?
@kiraisx
Blue i will be mad if they don't go soon
@joshisned7423
i had this blasting as I drew the mind flayer
@Ayitiana
Blue frrrr
@luxixv1707
Blue lol
@LeonTornow
Yeah haha
@feetsarequiem1009
My dad 3 months after I was born: should I stay or should I go?
@r6clips211
Justine Ruke lol
@williamandres1042
Damn, I can relate to that xD
@wiggoholmlund3754
Justine Ruke your amazing