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 Right Profile
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In "Red River"?
Or a "Place In The Sun"?
Maybe "The Misfits"?
Or "From Here To Eternity"?
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
New York, New York, 42nd Street
Hustlers rustle and pimps pimp the beat
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's that Montgomery Clift, honey
I see a car smashed at night
Cut the applause and dim the light
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
Is he alive? Can he still feel?
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "Shine a light"
And everybody say, "It's not funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
Shoot his right profile
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
Nembutol numbs it all
But I prefer alcohol
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
He said go out and get me my old movie stills
Go out and get me another roll of pills
There I go again shaking, but I ain't got the chills
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "He sure looks funny"
I was trapped, Montgomery Clift, honey
In The Clash's song The Right Profile, the lyrics are focused on actor Montgomery Clift and the artist's interpretation of his life. The song's verses list various movies that Clift starred in, such as "The Misfits" and "From Here to Eternity." The repeated refrain of "Is he all right?" and "What's he like?" heightens the mystery and intrigue surrounding Clift's personal life. The lyrics describe Clift's physical appearance, including his torn clothes and lack of shoes, creating a picture of a disheveled and lost individual. The song also mentions a car accident that Clift was in, seemingly bringing up questions about his mortality and the fragility of life.
The line "Shoot his right profile" is a reference to Clift's distinctive facial features, particularly his cleft chin. The song's final verse includes the reference to "Nembutal," a sedative that Clift was known to use, and hints at The Clash's own struggles with addiction. The use of the phrase "trapped" in the final line suggests the pain and isolation that both Clift and the artist may have experienced.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, where did I see this guy?
I'm trying to recall where I might know this person from.
In "Red River"?
Perhaps I recognize this person from the movie Red River.
Or a "Place In The Sun"?
It's possible that I've seen this person in the movie A Place In The Sun.
Maybe "The Misfits"?
Could it be that I recognize this person from the movie The Misfits?
Or "From Here To Eternity"?
It's also possible that I've seen this person in the movie From Here To Eternity.
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
Everyone seems to be concerned about this person's well-being.
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
People are curious about the personality of this individual.
And everybody say, "He sure looks funny"
Many people are commenting on this person's peculiar appearance.
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
This person is actually the famous actor Montgomery Clift.
New York, New York, 42nd Street
The song shifts its focus to New York City and the bustling area of 42nd Street.
Hustlers rustle and pimps pimp the beat
The song describes how pimps and hustlers are active, with the city's rhythm providing a background.
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
Montgomery Clift is identifiable even at the break of dawn.
He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn
Contrarily, despite his fame, the actor appears downtrodden with no shoes and torn clothes.
I see a car smashed at night
The song references a car crash that occurred during the night.
Cut the applause and dim the light
Any applause or light shining should be cut off, likely to show respect.
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
The song describes Monty's face being disfigured due to the accident.
Is he alive? Can he still feel?
The song expresses concern that the actor might not have survived the crash or may be permanently injured.
And everybody say, "Shine a light"
People are requesting a light source to be able to more clearly see the situation.
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
The song reminds us once more that the individual in question is Montgomery Clift.
Shoot his right profile
The song urges people to photograph Montgomery's right profile, rather than his damaged left side due to the accident.
Nembutol numbs it all
Nembutol is a brand of a drug that can act as a sedative and suppress the sensation of pain.
But I prefer alcohol
The song suggests that the artist doesn't prefer Nembutol to dull pain and would rather turn to alcohol.
He said go out and get me my old movie stills
Clift asked someone to retrieve some old pictures from his past films.
Go out and get me another roll of pills
The actor also requested more medication in some form
There I go again shaking, but I ain't got the chills
The song suggests the artist might be nervous although there is probably no specific cause for fear.
I was trapped, Montgomery Clift, honey
The song ends on this mournful final line, expressing the artist's feeling of entrapment, while once again reminding us of the central figure of the piece, Montgomery Clift.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephencoomer5692
Say, where did I see this guy?
[Verse 1]
In Red River?
Or A Place in the Sun?
Maybe The Misfits?
Or From Here to Eternity?
[Chorus]
Can everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 2]
New York, (New York) New York, 42nd Street
Hustlers rustle and pimp pimp the beat
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
Can everybody say, "What's he like?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's just Montgomery Clift, honey!
ADVERTISING
[Verse 3]
I see a car smashed at night
Cut the applause and dim the light
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
Is he alive? Can he still feel?
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "Shine the light!"
Everybody say, "It's not funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Bridge]
Shoot his right profile
[Chorus]
Everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 4]
Nembutol
Numbs it all
But I prefer
Alcohol
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 5]
He said go out and get me my old movie stills
Go out and get me another roll of pills
Everything's shakin', but I ain't got the chills
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
"I was trapped!" Montgomery Clift, honey
@TheElJefe
The Clash - The Right Profile
Say, where did I see this guy?
In "Red River"?
Or a "Place In The Sun"?
Maybe "The Misfits"?
Or "From Here To Eternity"?
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure looks funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
New York, New York, 42nd Street
Hustlers rustle and pimps pimp the beat
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's that Montgomery Clift, honey
I see a car smashed at night
Cut the applause and dim the light
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
Is he alive? Can he still feel?
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "Shine a light"
And everybody say, "It's not funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
Shoot his right profile
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey
Nembutol numbs it all
But I prefer . . . alcohol
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
He said go out and get me my old movie stills
Go out and get me another roll of pills
There I go again shaking, but I ain't got the chills
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "He sure looks funny"
I was trapped, Montgomery Clift, honey
@marieblue
“The Right Profile” is about American actor Montgomery “Monty” Clift* (1920 - 1966) and his tormented life.
In 1956, his car crashed into a tree, while driving home from a party at fellow actress Elizabeth Taylor’s home. He survived (though not without excruciating pain) and became heavily addicted to 💊 pills and 🥃 alcohol.
The car accident left his face severely mangled. He had plastic surgery, but could only be filmed from THE RIGHT PROFILE from then on to look good on the big screen. Hence the song title.
Edward Montgomery Clift ultimately died of what many called “THE SLOWEST SUICIDE” in cinema history‼️
Musically, “The Right Profile” is one of the highlights of the LP “London Calling” (1979), featuring heavy Irish ☘️ horns to create a swing feel. However, it also proved to be the tune’s performance downfall, as there was no way it could be done live without the horn section. 💙🎬💚
* The movie star played opposite the likes of Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters, Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland, Maximillian Schell, Richard Widmark, any many more…
@briantwiss9078
One of the best things about the Clash is they could write about damn near anything and make it a great song
@socalraps7850
They wanted to make you think, not tell you what to think
@ulrikemayer6911
Poor Montgomery Clift. He had this horrible accident and took too much pills and drank too much alkohol because of the pain. I liked him so much and I am glad that The Clash wrote this song
@egirl622
About ten years ago, I was watching a screening of The Misfits at the Ohio Theatre Summer Movie Series. When Clift first appeared on screen, about 20 people in the audience simultaneously yelled out "THAT'S MONTGOMERY CLIFT, HONEY!" and the audience cracked up. This album is that well-known.
I can't believe it's been 40 years since it was released - it still sounds as new as yesterday. A great album that is truly timeless.
@markconway1967
awesome
@pseudoshaman
I would've laughed harder than anyone there. That is great.
@kendama99
Your story made my day!
@amerocker
I very recently found and bought a dvd of 'The Misfits'. I think I'll start watching it tonight.
@JV-uo7zz
This song doesn't even have a mil views. Sounds unture
@joshisjoshingu9278
Strummer’s spaz attack near the end of the song always cracks me up, but the fact that someone took the time to write “ARRRGHHHGORRA BUH BHUH DO ARRRRGGGHHHHNNNN!!!!!!!!” in the liner notes makes it even funnier. Tragic source material (ol’ Monty) though.