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
Washington Bullets
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your children are playing in that street again
Don't you know what happened down there?
A youth of fourteen got shot down there
The Kokane guns of Jamdown Town
The killing clowns, the blood money men
Are shooting those Washington bullets again
The cries of the tortured men
Remember Allende, and the days before,
Before the army came
Please remember Victor Jara,
In the Santiago Stadium,
Es verdad - those Washington Bullets again
And in the Bay of Pigs in 1961,
Havana fought the playboy in the Cuban sun,
For Castro is a color,
Is a redder than red,
Those Washington bullets want Castro dead
For Castro is the color...
...That will earn you a spray of lead
For the very first time ever,
When they had a revolution in Nicaragua,
There was no interference from America
Human rights in America
Well the people fought the leader,
And up he flew...
With no Washington bullets what else could he do?
'N' if you can find a Afghan rebel
That the Moscow bullets missed
Ask him what he thinks of voting Communist...
...Ask the Dalai Lama in the hills of Tibet,
How many monks did the Chinese get?
In a war-torn swamp stop any mercenary,
'N' check the British bullets in his armory
Que?
Sandinista!
The lyrics of The Clash's song "Washington Bullets" tell a story of violence, revolution, and government interference. The song starts with a warning to a mother about her children playing in the street where a youth of fourteen got shot. It then references Jamdown Town and the Kokane guns, which were used by a Jamaican gang that The Clash saw while touring. The song goes on to mention the torture of men in Chile, the Allende presidency, and Victor Jara, a Chilean musician who was tortured and killed during the Pinochet coup. The lyrics also reference the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, the desire of the US to kill Castro, and the lack of interference in the Nicaraguan revolution.
The song is a political commentary on the US government's involvement in foreign conflicts and its use of violence to achieve its goals. It criticizes the US's support of brutal dictators and the use of covert operations to overthrow democratically elected leaders. The lyrics also suggest that the US is responsible for the violence and unrest that plagues many countries around the world.
Overall, "Washington Bullets" is a powerful anti-war anthem that speaks to the danger of government interference in other countries' affairs and the devastating effects that violence can have on individuals and entire nations.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh! Mama, Mama look there!
The people are in danger and need to be protected.
Your children are playing in that street again
The youth are vulnerable and need to be kept safe.
Don't you know what happened down there?
The singer is reminding the listener of the violence that has taken place in the past.
A youth of fourteen got shot down there
The violence has taken innocent lives, even that of a young person.
The Kokane guns of Jamdown Town
The guns are a symbol of violence and power, causing fear.
The killing clowns, the blood money men
Those who are responsible for the violence are dangerous and cause harm for their own gain.
Are shooting those Washington bullets again
The violence and harm is being perpetrated by those with power and authority.
As every cell in Chile will tell
The violence is widespread and happening all around, reminding one of the horrors of Chile.
The cries of the tortured men
The violence is causing suffering and pain for many.
Remember Allende, and the days before,
A reminder of a time before the violence, when things were different.
Before the army came
The army is a force of destruction and violence.
Please remember Victor Jara,
The artist is requesting that people remember and honour those who were lost to the violence.
In the Santiago Stadium,
A specific location where loss and destruction took place.
Es verdad - those Washington Bullets again
The violence and harm is being caused by the perpetrators who hold power and authority.
And in the Bay of Pigs in 1961,
A historical reference to another time when violence and destruction took place.
Havana fought the playboy in the Cuban sun,
A stylized reference to events in the past where fights for power and control took place.
For Castro is a color,
Castro represents something, usually the color red, that those who hold power and authority want eradicated.
Is a redder than red,
A heightened symbol of something that is considered dangerous and powerful.
Those Washington bullets want Castro dead
The violence and destruction is purposeful and intended to exert control over the people.
For Castro is the color...
A reminder that violence is not only used to eliminate people, but also ideas and concepts that threaten those in power.
...That will earn you a spray of lead
The violence and destruction is an attempt to control the way people think and feel.
For the very first time ever,
A reference to a historical event that demonstrated that another way is possible.
When they had a revolution in Nicaragua,
A reference to another country that has attempted to create a different model of society.
There was no interference from America
America has a history of interfering in the affairs of other countries, causing harm and suffering.
Human rights in America
Irony that America claims to care about human rights but has a history of causing harm in other countries.
Well the people fought the leader,
A reference to people taking action to create change.
And up he flew...
A reference to the overthrow of a leader who was causing harm and destruction.
With no Washington bullets what else could he do?
A statement about how violence perpetuates violence, and that sometimes non-violent solutions are possible.
'N' if you can find a Afghan rebel
A reference to another group of people who have fought against violence and oppression.
That the Moscow bullets missed
Another country is referenced, demonstrating that violence is not specific to one place or culture.
Ask him what he thinks of voting Communist...
A sarcastic challenge to the notion that communism is inherently violent or dangerous.
...Ask the Dalai Lama in the hills of Tibet,
A reference to a leader who has experienced oppression, and whose peaceful approach has been historically effective.
How many monks did the Chinese get?
A reminder that violence and destruction has harmed the vulnerable, such as religious figures, in Tibet.
In a war-torn swamp stop any mercenary,
The artist is advocating for stopping the perpetrators of violence, whether they are official or unofficial agents of destruction.
'N' check the British bullets in his armory
A reminder that the use of violence is not specific to any one country, and that those in power will use many means to maintain their control.
Que?
Interjection of disbelief or confusion.
Sandinista!
A rallying cry for those who are fighting against violence and oppression.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elosoguapo8137
This song alone justifies the triple album. It’s everything a good song can ever be. Thought provoking, well produced, well written, well performed, and just rocks. I’ve listened to it for decades now and I still love it.
@user-gp5kh5tu4k
Me too, I come back every two or three months to listen to it...
@alexroselle
Back here because Henry Kissinger has finally died and this song felt appropriate to add to the celebratory playlist. Solidarity forever!
@yyz4761
Well that’s a reason for celebration, I thought for a minute that the old cockroach would live forever but I guess even the powerful have to face judgement one day. Their money can’t buy their way out of that
@mikefelix6338
If the imagery of this song doesn’t bring you to tears idk what will
@nixgips1042
One of the BEST songs ever! I like it soooooo much! Thank you for remastering and sharing.
@andrewbrown1463
Joe at the top of his game lyrically. This would have been a classic had it been a double album. Way ahead of it’s time.
@pbattis1
A rock and roll masterpiece.
@munimathbypeterfelton6251
As a middle and high school Modern World History teacher, I have used the content of this song as the context of several units of instruction before- (as well as the basis for corresponding essays written and final exams taken by-) my students in class. It adds the icing to the cake of worldly historical awareness.
@b00tsiew00tsie
Very cool teacher, both for showing your students the clash as well as teaching about imperialism!