The song also appears on the Clash compilation albums The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (1988) and Clash on Broadway (1991). Allmusic's Donald A. Guarisco said that the song's "combination of thoughtful lyrics and an energetic performance" made it a "highlight of London Calling".
Strummer wrote the song during the recording sessions for London Calling. He developed the idea for the song while travelling home from Wessex studios in London and listening to a radio news report of Basque terrorist bombings of tour hotels on the Costa Brava. It reminded him of the contemporary IRA bombing campaign in the United Kingdom
Spanish Bombs
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The shooting sites in the days of '39
Oh, please, leave the vendanna open
Federico Lorca is dead and gone
Bullet holes in the cemetery walls
The black cars of the Guardia Civil
Spanish bombs on the Costa Rica
I'm flying in a DC 10 tonight
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish weeks in my disco casino
The freedom fighters died upon the hill
They sang the red flag
They wore the black one
But after they died it was Mockingbird Hill
Back home the buses went up in flashes
The Irish tomb was drenched in blood
Spanish bombs shatter the hotels
My senorita's rose was nipped in the bud
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
The hillsides ring with "Free the people"
Or can I hear the echo from the days of '39?
With trenches full of poets
The ragged army, fixin' bayonets to fight the other line
Spanish bombs rock the province
I'm hearing music from another time
Spanish bombs on the Costa Brava
I'm flying in on a DC 10 tonight
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Oh mi corazón, oh mi corazón
Spanish songs in Andalucía, Mandolina, oh mi corazón
Spanish songs in Granada, oh mi corazón
Oh mi corazón, oh mi corazón
Oh mi corazón
The lyrics of The Clash's "Spanish Bombs" narrate the story of the Spanish Civil War, which happened from 1936 to 1939. The song talks about the present reality of Spain, where the aftermath of the civil war can still be seen, referring to the bullet holes in the cemetery walls and the shattering of the hotels caused by the Spanish bombs. The song also talks about two significant people during the war, Federico Lorca and the freedom fighters who died in battle. Lorca, a famous Spanish poet, was executed by Nationalist forces early during the war. Meanwhile, the freedom fighters who died on the hills were protesting the authoritarian government.
The song also highlights the political propaganda that was being spread on both sides, where the red flag and the black flag were being used to symbolize the factions who fought for control of the country. The singer also references the Irish and their involvement in the war, as well as other international forces that participated in the Spanish conflict.
Overall, "Spanish Bombs" is a poignant reminder of the devastating events that took place during the Spanish Civil War and the long-lasting impact it had on the country.
Line by Line Meaning
Spanish songs in Andalucía
The music of Spain is heard in Andalusia
The shooting sites in the days of '39
The locations where people were shot in 1939
Oh, please, leave the vendanna open
Please leave the windows open for fresh air
Federico Lorca is dead and gone
The famous poet Federico Lorca has passed away
Bullet holes in the cemetery walls
The graveyard is marked with the scars of bullets
The black cars of the Guardia Civil
The police cars are dark and foreboding
Spanish bombs on the Costa Rica
Explosive devices are being used in Costa Rica
I'm flying in a DC 10 tonight
I am flying on an airplane tonight
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
I love Spanish bombs more than anything
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
I love you, oh my heart
Spanish weeks in my disco casino
I am spending weeks at a disco casino in Spain
The freedom fighters died upon the hill
Those who fought for freedom have died on the hills
They sang the red flag
They sang songs of the Communist Party's flag
They wore the black one
They wore the black flag of the Anarchists
But after they died it was Mockingbird Hill
After they died, everything went back to how it was before
Back home the buses went up in flashes
Buses exploded in the artist's home country
The Irish tomb was drenched in blood
Irish people lost their lives in a bloody event
Spanish bombs shatter the hotels
Explosives have damaged hotels in Spain
My senorita's rose was nipped in the bud
The singer's lover's rose was destroyed before it could bloom
The hillsides ring with "Free the people"
People chant for freedom on the hillsides
Or can I hear the echo from the days of '39?
Is this a call back to the events of 1939?
With trenches full of poets
There are poets fighting in the trenches
The ragged army, fixin' bayonets to fight the other line
The rough soldiers prepare their bayonets to fight against their opposition
Spanish bombs rock the province
Explosions can be heard throughout the province
I'm hearing music from another time
The singer is listening to old music
Spanish bombs on the Costa Brava
Explosions have occurred on the Costa Brava
Oh mi corazón
Oh my heart
Spanish songs in Andalucía, Mandolina, oh mi corazón
Spanish songs and mandolins can be heard in Andalusia, which makes the artist's heart beat faster
Spanish songs in Granada, oh mi corazón
Spanish music can also be heard in Granada
Oh mi corazón, oh mi corazón
Oh my heart, oh my heart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gabriel Sopena, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Gustave Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimparcerisas2967
(Lyrics revised)
Spanish songs in Andalucía
The shooting sites in the days of '39
Oh, please, leave the ventana open
Federico Lorca is dead and gone
Bullet holes in the cemetery walls
The black cars of Guardia civil
Spanish bombs on the Costa Rica
I'm flying in on a DC-10 tonight
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish weeks in my disco casino
The freedom fighters died upon the hill
They sang the red flag
They wore the black one
But after they died it was mockingbird hill
Back home the buses went up in flashes
The Irish tomb was drenched in blood
Spanish bombs shatter the hotels
My señorita's rose was nipped in the bud
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
The hillsides ring with free the people
Or can I hear the echo from the days of '39?
With trenches full of poets
The ragged army, fixin' bayonets to fight the other line
Spanish bombs rock the province
I'm hearing music from another time
Spanish bombs on the Costa Brava
I'm flying in on a DC 10 tonight
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te quiero, oh mi corazón
Oh mi corazón...
Oh mi corazón...
Spanish songs in Andalucía, mandolina, oh mi corazón
Spanish songs in Granada, oh mi corazón
Oh mi corazón...
Oh mi corazón...
Oh mi corazón...
Oh mi corazón...
@belleguimaraess
My favorite Clash song. My dad and I used to fight a lot in my teenage years but everytime we were alone together, we would listen to this. I still remember being 5 and singing the chorus at the top of my lungs with him in the car. Our family is Spanish but I never connected the dots until now. Dad passed 5 months ago, I hope he knows that everytime I play this, I’m thinking of him and wishing we could sing this at the top of our lungs for one last time. Miss you Reginaldo Peres, you’ll always be my Spanish bomb.
@bruh......2005
So heartbreaking, i hope you are doing well now💔
@Maverick4023
Such a beautiful comment. I'm so sorry you lost your dad and I really hope you're doing well now. This is definitely my favorite Clash song too.
@Munozmorirapronto
So you should tell him ”yo te quiero infinito", like the song does.
@Nen_niN
@@Munozmorirapronto Though OP literally said their dad passed away 5 months ago, so that wouldn't be possible
@kelbell9312
What a magnificent memory to cherish. Beautiful to read. Brave of you to share xxx
@dominiqueglover4978
“With trenches full of poets, the ragged army
Fixin' bayonets to fight the other line” so beautifully written.
@edmundot
❤
@YesOkayButWhy
❤!
@nilslindstrand3056
I am 78 years old. WHen my wife left me and took the kids this was the music that kept me going. I will forever be thankfull to clash, and as my life draws to a close, I want to proclaim my love for this amazing band.