The song pre-dates the race riots that took place in the 1980s in Brixton but the lyrics depict the feelings of discontent that were building due to heavy-handedness of the police that lead to the riots, the recession and other problems at that time.
Not originally released as a single in 1979 when London Calling was released, "The Guns of Brixton" was released by CBS Records as a CD single from the remastered version of the album in July 1990 (catalog number 656072-2), to reach #57 in the UK Singles Charts. The track listing is:
1. "Return to Brixton" — 3:47
2. "Return to Brixton" — 6:55
3. "Return to Brixton" (SW2 Dub) — 6:00
4. "The Guns of Brixton" — 3:09
It was the only track written solely by Simonon to be released on any original Clash album.
When playing the song live Simonon used to switch instruments with Strummer because he felt uncomfortable playing the bassline and singing lead vocals.
A section of "The Guns of Brixton" appears as a reprise at the end of the song "Broadway" on the Clash's album Sandinista!, sung by a very young Maria Gallagher, with a simple keyboard accompaniment.
The song has been covered by numerous bands over the years, including Arcade Fire, Unwritten Law, Dropkick Murphys, Rancid, Jeff Klein, The Bandits, Nouvelle Vague, Calexico, Optimus Rhyme, My Red Hot Nightmare, German punk band Die Toten Hosen, Polish street punk band The Analogs and Kazik & Buldog (they also played this song live since 2007 and with wind instruments on 2008 mini tour), Argentine band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, The Libertines, and the Italian singer Enrico Ruggeri.
In 1981 a German punk band named Soilent Grün used the melody of "The Guns of Brixton" for their song "Spitz Wie Lumpi".
Sydney born band The Beautiful Girls released a cover version in 2003 entitled "Guns of Brixton / Dub Be Good to Me".
The bass line was also sampled for Beats International's 1990 hit "Dub Be Good to Me" and Cypress Hill's 2004 hit "What's Your Number?".
French dub-rock outfit Guns of Brixton formed in 2004 took their name from this song.
In 2006, MC Chris used "The Guns of Brixton" as a beat on the song "Blastic", from the album Dungeon Master of Ceremonies.
Arcade Fire's acoustic version of the song was likely played for the first time during their 5 day mini-tour of London in early February 2007; it was also used to close their 4 night stint at Brixton Academy in March 2007. They also performed it on the BBC's Culture Show.
In January 2007, NME reported that The Good, the Bad and the Queen, which features Simonon on bass, ended the first set of their UK tour (Trinity Hall, Bristol) in promotion of their debut album with this song (and Simonon on vocals).
Santogold covered the song in 2008 for her Top Ranking mixtape with Diplo. The lyrics were changed from Brixton to Brooklyn.
The Guns of Brixton
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of "The Harder They Come"
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
oh, the guns of Brixton
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But oh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
The Guns of Brixton is a politically charged song by The Clash, written by their bassist Paul Simonon. The lyrics speak to the struggle of living in a place like Brixton, a district in South London known for its high unemployment rates, poverty, and confrontations with police. The song poses a question: when faced with injustice, will you comply with the authorities or will you fight back? The first verse specifically asks how someone will react when the police come to their door – will they surrender, or will they fight back with a gun? The second verse suggests that no matter what route one chooses, the end result is likely bleak – either being shot by the police or waiting on death row.
The chorus emphasizes the underlying theme of the song, which is that those in power may have the ability to oppress and harm people, but eventually, there will be consequences. The guns of Brixton, representing the resistance of the oppressed people, will prevail. The final verse tells the story of a man named Ivan, who was caught with a gun and sent to prison. The lyrics imply that Ivan’s actions were a result of his difficult circumstances and that even though he was punished, the underlying issues in Brixton remain unresolved.
Line by Line Meaning
When they kick at your front door
If someone tries to invade your home,
How you gonna come?
What will be your reaction?
With your hands on your head
Will you surrender peaceably?
Or on the trigger of your gun?
Or will you be ready to defend yourself?
When the law break in
If the police violently enter your home,
How you gonna go?
What will happen to you?
Shot down on the pavement
Will you be killed on the street?
Or waiting in death row
Or will you be arrested, tried and executed?
You can crush us
You may oppress us,
You can bruise us
You may hurt us physically or emotionally,
But you'd have to answer to
But you'll be held responsible by
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The armed resistance fighters of Brixton who will stand up to you.
The money feels good
The profit is attractive,
And your life you like it well
And you enjoy your existence,
But surely your time will come
But one day you will pay for your actions,
As in heaven, as in hell
Regardless of what happens after death.
You see, he feels like Ivan
The artist experiences a similar plight as Ivan, a fictional character.
Born under the Brixton sun
Raised in a low-income neighborhood in London called Brixton,
His game is called survivin'
His approach to life is all about survival,
At the end of 'The Harder They Come'
After watching a movie called 'The Harder They Come.'
You know it means no mercy
The authorities will show no mercy,
They caught him with a gun
They apprehended him with a firearm,
No need for the Black Maria
There was no need for the police van for his arrest,
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
He knew he would never see the sunshine of Brixton again.
And even shoot us
You may even kill us,
Oh, guns of Brixton
Those who will resist the system with violent means.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Gustave Simonon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raptor8970
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of "The Harder They Come"
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
oh, the guns of Brixton
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But oh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'd have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
@ikedaleo
the bass riff is heavenly
@jennprickly1455
I was born to hear the clash's bass riffs
@KarenThomas763
every one of my favorite songs has a great bass line. took me 40 years to realize I am a bass head, always have been.
@mordecaif
We need a bass boosted version
@aestheticaltwat
All hail the dub bass!
@LeGrandeOrange
Simonon’s greatest moment!
@MichaelSheffield-ox8yd
Possibly the greatest rock album ever. Every song a gem.
@karlmorris-xz6iq
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris and 'She has a Car' is a good song by him.
@HipnoDark
One of them. Its a top 10 imho
@tizianoschena4999
Agree