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 Should I 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 lyrics of The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" explore the uncertainty and indecision that comes with a turbulent relationship. The singer is seeking clarity from their partner about whether they should stay together or go their separate ways. The chorus repeats this internal struggle, expressing the consequences of both options - staying would mean double the trouble, while leaving would bring its own set of difficulties.
The verses reveal the tumultuous nature of the relationship, with the partner teasing and playing games with the singer's emotions. The lyrics "It's always tease, tease, tease, you're happy when I'm on my knees" suggest a dynamic of power imbalance and potentially even emotional abuse. The singer is left feeling bugged by indecision and unsure of their identity and place in the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling you got to let me know
You need to tell me what you want
Should I stay or should I go?
I need to know if you want me to stay or leave
If you say that you are mine
I'll be here 'til the end of time
If you commit to a relationship with me, I'll be devoted to you forever
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
I need you to make a decision about our relationship
It's always tease, tease, tease
You're happy when I'm on my knees
You play games with me, and enjoy when I'm submissive
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?
You have mood swings, and if you want me to leave you alone, tell me
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
I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of staying in this relationship, and need you to give me a clear answer
This indecision's bugging me (esta indecisión me molesta)
If you don't want me, set me free (si no me quieres, librarme)
Exactly whom I'm supposed to be (dígame que tengo ser)
Don't you know which clothes even fit me? (sabes que ropa me quedra)
Come on and let me know (me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (me debo ir o quedarme)
I'm frustrated with my uncertainty about our relationship, and need you to tell me if you want to be with me or not
Should I stay or should I go now? (yo me enfrió 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 sera el doble)
So ya gotta let me know (me tienes que decir)
Should I cool it or should I blow? (me debo ir o quedarme)
Once again, I'm struggling with the decision to stay or leave, and need you to give me clarity
Should I stay or should I go now? (tengo frío por los ojos)
If I go there will be trouble (si me voy va haber peligro)
And if I stay it wil be double (si me quedo sera el doble)
So ya gotta let me know me tienes que decir
Should I stay or should I go?
I'm still unsure about what to do, and need you to tell me if you want me to stay or go
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?
@artymore-game2249
Darling you got to let me know
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?
Always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine, next day 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
An’ if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know!
This indecision’s bugging me
If you don’t want me, set me free
Exactly who’m I’m supposed to be
Don’t you know which clothes even fit me?
Come on and let me know
Should I cool it or should I blow?
Split!
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 you gotta let me know
Should I cool it or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So you gotta let me know
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
@leokimvideo
Music that defines the hardest choices in life, classic, timeless, unmatched forever
@Aiden-wm2wy
I play this song when I want to give up every thing
@DrewHop325
@@Aiden-wm2wy even spelling lol J/K
@Christmas-bw8hb
Let me double down on that 😂
@Bl00DGUN312
dude I used to watch your videos all the time when I was younger
@The_R1pp3r
I love The Clash. "Should I stay or should I go", "Rock the Casbah", Endless hits!
@azazel2551
Master of puppets
@The_R1pp3r
@AZAZEL ...thats Metallica
@caleblucio800
london calling
@lesedie2162
White Riot is so good