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
The Police Walked in 4 Jazz
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz
Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police come look for Jimmy Jazz
So if you're gonna take a message 'cross this town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
So tell me now..!
The police came in they said "Now where's Jimmy Jazz?"
I said, "hmm, he was here but-umm, he said he went out"
who you're looking for? Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and they'll chop off his head
Oh you're looking for Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
What a relief!
I feel like a soldier,
look like a thief!
Police a come a lookin for the Jimmy Jazz
he came in and he went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz
In fact, Don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz, Jazz
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, suck that!
So go look all around, you can try your luck, brother
and see what you found
but I guarantee you that it ain't your day, your day
It ain't your day
Chop! Chop!
The Clash's song "The Police Walked in 4 Jazz" tells a story about the police searching for a man called Jimmy Jazz. The lyrics suggest that Jimmy Jazz is in trouble and imply that the police may be looking for him in connection with a serious crime. The song is filled with references to violence and ominous warnings, as the singer urges Jimmy Jazz to stay hidden and avoid the authorities. The lyrics are dark and foreboding, and they create a sense of tension and danger throughout the song.
The opening line, "Police walked in for Jimmy Jazz," is a clear indication that the song is about the police searching for someone. The next line, "I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past," suggests that the singer knows where Jimmy Jazz is, but he's not going to give him up to the police. The line "Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread" is a reference to a Rastafarian hymn, and it implies that Jimmy Dread is in danger. The song ends with the line "Chop! Chop!" which suggests that Jimmy Jazz is going to be punished for his actions.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on law enforcement and the justice system. It suggests that the police are not to be trusted, and that they may be more interested in punishing people than in actually finding the truth. The lyrics are also a powerful indictment of violence and injustice in society, and they suggest that people who are caught up in these systems may be doomed to suffer.
Line by Line Meaning
Police walked in for Jimmy Jazz
The police entered the scene to find Jimmy Jazz
I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past
I told the police that Jimmy Jazz is not present but he was here earlier and left.
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz
The police are searching for Jimmy Jazz
Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
A reference to a Rastafarian song, indicating that Jimmy Dread is in trouble
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Violent threats against Jimmy Dread
Police come look for Jimmy Jazz
The police are searching for Jimmy Jazz
So if you're gonna take a message 'cross this town
If you need to deliver a message across town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
Perhaps leave the message on the other side of town
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz
Ensure that the message reaches Jimmy Jazz
So tell me now..!
An exclamation for attention
The police came in they said "Now where's Jimmy Jazz?"
The police entered and asked for Jimmy Jazz's whereabouts
I said, "hmm, he was here but-umm, he said he went out"
I replied, indicating that Jimmy Jazz had been present but had left
who you're looking for? Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
A repeated question asking who the police are looking for
What a relief!
I feel like a soldier,
look like a thief!
Sarcastic commentary on the situation, expressing relief but also feeling like a criminal
Police a come a lookin for the Jimmy Jazz
he came in and he went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz
Repeating the earlier lines about the police searching for Jimmy Jazz
In fact, Don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz, Jazz
Asking the police to stop bothering and repeating that Jimmy Jazz is the central topic
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
A creative spelling of 'Jimmy Jazz'
And then it sucks, he said, suck that!
So go look all around, you can try your luck, brother
and see what you found
but I guarantee you that it ain't your day, your day
It ain't your day
Chop! Chop!
Suggesting that the police are wasting their time searching for Jimmy Jazz and implying possible violence against them.
Contributed by Samuel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.