The tune leans towards more of a retro punk rock sound than most of the other tracks on the album. Though many legends have arisen about what the song is about (one of which is Jones' impending dismissal from the Clash in 1983), it is actually about a rocky personal relationship between Jones and former Meat Loaf backup singer Ellen Foley that would soon implode. The lyrics seem to reflect ups and downs concerning the relationship and the dilemma of sticking with or ending it.
The Spanish backing vocals are courtesy of Joe Strummer:
“ On the spur of the moment I said 'I'm going to do the backing vocals in Spanish,'...We needed a translator so Eddie Garcia, the tape operator, called his mother in Brooklyn Heights and read her the lyrics over the phone and she translated them. But Eddie and his mum are Ecuadorian, so it's Ecuadorian Spanish that me and Joe Ely are singing on the backing vocals. ”
—Joe Strummer, 1991
Releases
The single was reissued several times. In 1982, with a different cover as a double A-side with "Straight to Hell" and with "Cool Confusion" as its B-side. In 1983, with "First Night Back in London" on the side two, and in 1991, with "Rush" by Mick Jones' group Big Audio Dynamite II as its B-side
Cover versions
"Should I Stay or Should I Go" has been covered by many artists including Skin, Ice Cube and Mack 10, Errortype:11, Living Colour, The Long Tall Texans, Spastic Vibrations, Guitar Wolf, Die Toten Hosen, Bai Bang, Super Green, The Picketts, and "The One And Only Queen": Kylie Minogue.
Post punk band The Libertines performed a live version of the song, with Mick Jones featured on guitar. Jones, also sampled the track for his Big Audio Dynamite II song "The Globe". The American punk band MxPx frequently covers the song during live sets. ZZ Top also covered it in the early 1980s. On December 22, 2007, Love and Rockets played "Should I Stay or Should I Go" at the Strummerville benefit show at the Key Club in Los Angeles. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers also included it in their sets in the past.
Cover band Camp Freddy have performed an acoustic version of the song.
B-side - "Inoculated City"
Released - June 10, 1982 (1982-06-10)
Format - 7" single, cassette tape
Genre - Punk rock, pop punk
Length - 3:06
Label - Epic 14-03006
Writer(s) - The Clash
Producer - The Clash
Should I Stay or 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 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 © 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