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
White Riot.
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
Black man gotta lotta problems
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick
And everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
And nobody wants
To go to jail
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
All the power's in the hands
Of people rich enough to buy it
While we walk the street
Too chicken to even try it
And everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
And nobody wants
To go to jail
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
Hey, you, standing in line
Are we gonna sign an agreement?
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
White riot, I want to riot
White riot, a riot of our own
The Clash's White Riot was released in 1977 and was a commentary on race relations in Britain at the time. The song's opening lines, "White riot, I want to riot. White riot, a riot of our own," signify a call to action for white people to take to the streets in protest, just as black people had been doing. The lyrics suggest that there is a disparity in behavior between white and black people, with the latter group being more willing to resort to violence to express their frustrations.
The song also critiques the education system, suggesting that it teaches conformity rather than individual thinking. The line, "Where they teach you how to be thick," is a direct reference to the lack of critical thinking skills being taught in schools. The song further emphasizes the power differential between the rich and poor, with the rich having a disproportionate amount of control over society.
The song's lyrics are a call to action for young people to fight against the status quo and to take control of their own future. The combination of punk rock music and political lyrics made the song and the band hugely influential in the punk rock movement.
Line by Line Meaning
White riot, I want to riot
The singer wants to create a riot that is known as a 'white riot'.
White riot, a riot of our own
The singer desires a type of riot that is unique or distinct to certain groups of people.
Black man gotta lotta problems
Black people are faced with numerous issues that some people choose to ignore.
But they don't mind throwing a brick
Black people are compelled to use violent means to have their voices heard.
White people go to school
White people are privileged and have opportunities that others don't.
Where they teach you how to be thick
Their form of education is questionable as it promotes lack of knowledge or intelligence.
And everybody's doing
Everyone is following orders.
Just what they're told to
Everyone is expected to conform without questioning what's being asked of them.
And nobody wants
No one is willing
To go to jail
to take risks or face consequences of their actions.
All the power's in the hands
Those who have money and resources have complete control.
Of people rich enough to buy it
They dominate every aspect of society.
While we walk the street
The rest of us, without the privilege and the resources of the rich,
Too chicken to even try it
are too afraid to stand up or take action.
Hey, you, standing in line
The Singer addresses the people who follow orders blindly.
Are we gonna sign an agreement?
Are we going to continue to be complacent and let those with power dictate how things work?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pilargonzales5706
Motín blanco
Quiero revueltas
Motín blanco
Un motín propio
Motín blanco
Quiero revueltas
Motín blanco
Un motín propio
Los hombres negros tienen un montón de problemas
Pero no les importa tirar un ladrillo
Los blancos van a la escuela
Donde te enseñan a ser realmente grueso
Y todo el mundo está haciendo
Justo lo que se les dice
Un don nadie quiere
Para ir a la cárcel
Todo el poder está en las manos
De la gente lo suficientemente rica como para comprarlo
Mientras caminamos por las calles
Demasiado pollo para probarlo
Todo el mundo está haciendo
Justo lo que se les dice
Y nadie quiere
Para ir a la cárcel
¿Estás aceptándose?
¿O estás tomando órdenes?
¿Vas hacia atrás?
¿O vas hacia adelante?
@talisikid1618
I’m 62 and I still feel like I was in college discovering this and how it made me feel. Never gets old. Never changes. It’s perpetual.
@darrylwiggins1156
For me at 17 in 1977 this band was a much needed breath of life itself.more than 40 years have passed but ill never forget how i felt.that blood and nervous system rush when i first heard this.it was validation of everything i felt but was unable to express.goddamn it clash thank you.thank you.
@ccsullivan_writer8274
Darryl Wiggins OMG It still makes me want to get up and trash my beautiful home. (Not really). LOL Gosh we really had the best music growing up!
@darrylwiggins1156
@CCSULLIVAN_WRITER yes we did.and we are better for it.
@ccsullivan_writer8274
@Darryl Wiggins Did you ever see the documentary on Joe Strummer on Netflix called The Future is Unwritten? It's really good. Well, I loved it.
@darrylwiggins1156
@CCSULLIVAN_WRITER i have not but i most certainly will.thanks.
@darrylwiggins1156
@CCSULLIVAN_WRITER just finished watching the future is unwritten.it was everything i expected it to be.joe strummer or john graham mellor was truly one of a kind.i was right in placing him in my hall of heroes.
@helenet.8217
We need The Clash now more than ever. The lyrics are so NOW: "And everybody's doing Just what they're told to And nobody wants To go to jail." Thanks, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon for this music that lives on NOW.
@dj-um7el
Agreed!
NOW!
They're still very relevant!
@stevecolwell4425
Best punk record of all time! ✊