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
Stagolee/Wrong 'Em Boyo
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stagger Lee throwed seven
Billy said that he throwed eight
So Billy said, hey Stagger! I'm gonna make my big attack
I'm gonna have to leave my knife in your back
Why do you try to cheat?
And trample people under your feet
To cheat the trying man
Don't you know it is wrong?
To cheat the trying man
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
You lie, steal, cheat and deceit
In such a small, small game
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat the trying man
Don't you know it is wrong?
To cheat the trying man
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
Billy Boy has been shot
And Stagger Lee's come out on top
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat the trying man
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat Stagger man
You'd better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
You must start all over again, all over again
Don't you know it is wrong
Play it, Billy, play, (don't you know it is wrong) play it, Billy, play
And you will find it is the right 'em boyo
But if you must lie and deceit
And trample people under your feet
Don't you know it is wrong 'em boyo
To cheat a trying man
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat a trying man
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
The lyrics to The Clash's "Wrong 'em boyo" tell the story of a deadly gambling game that ends in tragedy. The song references the real-life folk tale of Stagger Lee and Billy Lyons, who became infamous for their fatal gambling dispute. The lyrics reveal that Stagger Lee throws sevens in the game, but Billy cheats by claiming he has thrown eight. Billy then threatens Stagger Lee with his knife, and the song warns against cheating and trampling on others to succeed in life.
The lyrics convey a message about the importance of morality and fair play. The song suggests that cheating is not only bad for the person being cheated but also for the cheater in the long run. It urges people to stop using deceit and violence to get ahead and instead play fair. The line "You must start all over again" implies that cheating and other unethical behavior will eventually catch up with you and force you to start anew.
Overall, "Wrong 'em boyo" is a powerful song that underscores the importance of integrity and ethical behavior. The song's message is timeless and applicable to many situations in life, from gambling to business dealings and personal relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Stagger Lee met Billy and they got down to gambling
Stagger Lee and Billy start a game of gambling
Stagger Lee throwed seven
Stagger Lee rolled a seven
Billy said that he throwed eight
Billy claims he rolled an eight
So Billy said, hey Stagger! I'm gonna make my big attack
I'm gonna have to leave my knife in your back
Billy threatens to attack Stagger Lee with a knife
Why do you try to cheat?
And trample people under your feet
Don't you know it is wrong?
To cheat the trying man
Don't you know it is wrong?
To cheat the trying man
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
This verse addresses the importance of fair play and not cheating, warning that it's wrong to cheat someone who is trying their best and that they should stop because it's not right.
You lie, steal, cheat and deceit
In such a small, small game
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat the trying man
Don't you know it is wrong?
To cheat the trying man
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
The song continues to criticize cheating and warns that it's not worth cheating in such a small game, especially when it harms someone who is trying their best.
Billy Boy has been shot
And Stagger Lee's come out on top
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat the trying man
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat Stagger man
You'd better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
Billy is shot and Stagger Lee wins the game, but the song still stresses the importance of fairness and not cheating, warning that it's wrong to cheat anyone whether they are trying their best or not.
You must start all over again, all over again
Don't you know it is wrong
Play it, Billy, play, (don't you know it is wrong) play it, Billy, play
And you will find it is the right 'em boyo
The song concludes with a suggestion to start over and play the game fairly. Playing properly will lead to doing the right thing and being the correct winner.
But if you must lie and deceit
And trample people under your feet
Don't you know it is wrong 'em boyo
To cheat a trying man
Don't you know it is wrong
To cheat a trying man
You better stop, it is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
It is the wrong 'em boyo
The song reiterates that cheating is wrong and reinforces the message that it's never okay to cheat whether someone is trying their best or not. This message is repeated in the chorus for emphasis.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Scott Richardson
The greatest thing ever pressed on vinyl
Steve Murchie
These boys got it.
Google Isgay
Lie, steal, cheat, and deceit (the verb rendering of the word) is still one of the best fallouts of rhetoric worth repeating. I also love the intro and how they got down to scrambled eggs together. Hilarious comes in many flavors.
Lily Of The Valley
Great song!
Malachi Beattie
That intro :´)
Skye
Right on it is the song that made burn all of my rock vinyl.
Floyd Blandston
The very song that saved me from a life of predatory Yuppiedom.
Jordi Blasco
QUE NO NOS ENGAÑEN, QUE NOS DIGAN LA VERDÁ
Edson Granados
Jajaja de qué hablas, bro?
BIG DOGGY
The politicans anthem head banging toe tapping at its best.