The Clash were a punk rock band from London, England, active from 1976 to 1… Read Full Bio ↴The Clash were a punk rock band from London, England, active from 1976 to 1985. One of the most successful and iconic bands from the first wave of punk in the 70s, they incorporated rock and roll, reggae, rockabilly, and many other music styles into their repertoire. They were legendary for their uncommonly intense stage performances.

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

Version City
The Clash Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There is a train at Version City
Waiting for the rhythm mail
If you can jump then jump right now
She can pull you through to better days

Is that the train that the speak off
The one I heard in my younger days
All great bluesmen have rode her

I'm jumping up gonna ride that train

There's a lonely soul out on the crossroads
He's waiting there in the pouring rain
He's looking for that great ride yeh
That'll take him to oh what's her name

So I rode that train from Version City
For ninety-nine an' one half days
Never heard such rhythm sound
It was in my soul which was on the train

We went straight through Syndrum Inc.
Up an' over the Acapella Pass
Then Gibson Town and Fenderville
All stations to the Mesa Boogie Ranch
We saw that soul out on the cross roads
Waitin' there in the pouring rain
We called hey engine slow your rhythms
See he wants to ride the version train

We rode that train from Version City
For ninety-nine and one half years
I never seen such funky country
While riding with the engineers

Could not fill no application
Before I rode this rhythm train
Could not work at my station
Before I rode the version train

There is a train at Version City
Waiting for the rhythm mail

If you can jump then jump right now
She can pull you through to better days

Overall Meaning

The Clash's "Version City" is a song about a train - a train that carries rhythm that can take one to a better place. The lyrics speak of taking the train from Version City; a mystical place where soulful music echoes through the air. The train is waiting for the "rhythm mail" - a delivery of the latest soulful tunes. Those who can jump on the train will be whisked away to better days.

The song speaks of a lonely soul standing in the pouring rain at the crossroads, looking for a ride that will take him to his destination. The train symbolizes a journey to a better life through the power of music. The train travels through various stations and towns, and the rhythm of the music evolves with the changing landscape. The song suggests that life is a journey and that music is what keeps us moving forward, even through tough times. The train is a metaphor for a path to salvation through music.

"Version City" was recorded in 1991 during The Clash's album, "Sandinista!". The song was inspired by Jamaican dub music, which was popular in the late 1970s in London, where The Clash originated from. The song features a reggae beat with a ska horn section and dub-like effects. The song was originally recorded in rough form by Joe Strummer as a demo for his new band, The 101'ers, which never recorded the tune. The idea for a song based around the train motif had been with Joe since 1973.

Line by Line Meaning

There is a train at Version City
In this world, there is a place called Version City where a train resides and awaits travelers.

Waiting for the rhythm mail
The train is waiting for those who are interested in hearing the rhythm of the world and experiencing something new.

If you can jump then jump right now
For anyone who has the courage to jump on the train, now is the time to do so and start an adventure.

She can pull you through to better days
Once onboard, the train and its rhythm will take you on a journey that promises to bring better and more fulfilling days.

Is that the train that the speak off
The train being referred to here is the same one that people have been talking about and sharing stories of for generations.

The one I heard in my younger days
Back when the singer was younger, they too had heard about the legendary Version train and the amazing experiences that awaited onboard.

All great bluesmen have rode her
The train has been ridden by some of the greatest blues musicians in history, which adds to its allure and mystique.

I'm jumping up gonna ride that train
Inspired by the legends of the past and present, the artist is determined to jump on this train and experience its wonders firsthand.

There's a lonely soul out on the crossroads
At the crossroads of life, there is a person who is alone and struggling to find meaning and purpose.

He's waiting there in the pouring rain
Despite the harsh elements, this person remains steadfast and hopeful that something better is on the horizon.

He's looking for that great ride yeh
This person is seeking an experience that will allow them to break free from their current situation and ride the waves of life to new heights.

That'll take him to oh what's her name
This person is searching for someone or something that will change their life for the better, but they are uncertain exactly what or who that might be.

So I rode that train from Version City
The singer has taken the plunge and jumped onboard the Version train to see where it will take them.

For ninety-nine an' one half days
The singer's journey onboard the train lasts nearly 100 days, a significant length of time compared to the brief, passing interactions of everyday life.

Never heard such rhythm sound
The singer is astounded by the rhythm and beat of the train, which they had never heard before in their life.

It was in my soul which was on the train
The beat of the train is so powerful that it resonates deep within the artist's soul and becomes a part of them.

We went straight through Syndrum Inc.
The train passes through places with names like 'Syndrum Inc.' which sound more like the names of corporations or factories than real places.

Up an' over the Acapella Pass
The train travels through mountainous terrain, going up and over what is called the 'Acapella Pass'.

Then Gibson Town and Fenderville
The train passes through various towns with unique and interesting names like Gibson Town and Fenderville.

All stations to the Mesa Boogie Ranch
The train stops at a station called the 'Mesa Boogie Ranch', which sounds like a wild and crazy place.

We saw that soul out on the cross roads
During the journey, the artist and their fellow passengers come across the lonely soul that was waiting at the crossroads earlier in the song.

Waitin' there in the pouring rain
The soul is still waiting, hoping for something or someone to come along and change their life.

We called hey engine slow your rhythms
The singer and their fellow passengers ask the train's conductor to slow down the rhythm and give the lonely soul a chance to jump on board and join in on the journey.

See he wants to ride the version train
The lonely soul is eager to ride the Version train and experience the same wonder and rhythm that the artist and their fellow passengers have been experiencing.

For ninety-nine and one half years
As the journey continues, time seems to stretch on and on, as if their lives have become inseparably linked to the rhythm and beat of the train.

I never seen such funky country
The singer is constantly amazed and surprised by the sights, sounds, and experiences that they encounter on their journey through this 'funky' and unique world.

While riding with the engineers
The singer forms a bond with the engineers who drive the train and help to keep the rhythm going, feeling a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

Could not fill no application
Before riding the Version train, the artist was unable to find work or a sense of direction in their life, feeling lost and unfulfilled.

Before I rode this rhythm train
After jumping on board, however, the artist experiences a new sense of purpose and direction, feeling as though they are moving forward and making progress towards a better life.

Could not work at my station
The idea of working at a typical job or 'station' no longer holds any appeal for the singer, as they have found a new calling in the rhythm of the train.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, TOPPER HEADON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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