Working for the Clampdown
Working for the Clampdown
The Clash Lyrics
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She giggle[s] at the screen 'cause it looks so green
There's carpets on the pavement
And feathers in her eye
But sooner or later, her new friends will realize
That Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
(Well) Well it seemed like a dream; too good to be true
Stash it in the bank while the tablets grow high
In their Millions
And everybody's high (Hi, man...)
But there's someone looking down
From that mountain side
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
[And it's] Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh yeah, alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh!
And then there came the night of the greatest ever raid
They arrested every drug that had ever been made
They took eighty-two laws
Through eighty-two doors
And they didn't halt the pull
Till the cells were all full
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
They put him in a cell, they said 'you wait here'
You got the time to count all of your hair
You got fifteen years
That's a mighty long time
You could have been a physicist
But now your name is on the mailbag list
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still...
Alive
Oh oh, alive
You're still
I said you're still
"Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad" is a song by The Clash that describes the story of Julie, who works for the Drug Squad as an informant. The song highlights how Julie's involvement with the drug world and the Drug Squad eventually leads to her arrest and the arrest of others. The first verse describes how Julie is mesmerized by the effects of drugs, such as "Lucy in the sky and all kinds of apple pie." There is a sense of innocence in her initial fascination, as evidenced by her giggling at the screen, however, the second line indicates that her involvement is perhaps less than innocent. She has become involved in the drug world and is likely under the influence of the drugs.
The second verse suggests that Julie is not only involved in drugs but is also working for the Drug Squad. The surrounding drug world is used as a means of getting close to the drug dealers and, subsequently, betraying them to the Drug Squad. There is a sense of cynicism in the lyrics, as Julie is making money off of people while simultaneously betraying them. She's a spy, and her role ends up leading to the downfall of many, hence the line that informs the listeners that sooner or later, Julie's new friends will realize that she's been working for the Drug Squad. The third verse describes the consequences of Julie's actions. She is a traitor to both sides and is eventually arrested, along with those she has betrayed. The final line repeats, "Julie's been working for the Drug Squad," and the outro reinforces the consequences of her involvement through the repetition of the refrain.
Overall, "Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad" by The Clash is a song about Julie, who is involved in the drug world but is ultimately working for the Drug Squad. It highlights the consequences of her role as an informant, which ultimately leads to her arrest and the arrest of others. The song is a commentary on the corruption and complexity that can be found within law enforcement and the drug trade.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Lucy in the sky and all kinds of apple pie
Julie is living in a dream world with drugs and everything is all dazed and delusional.
She giggle[s] at the screen 'cause it looks so green
Julie gets high and enjoys the greenish effect caused by the drugs.
There's carpets on the pavement
The side effects of the drugs give Julie a hallucinatory perception of reality where she sees carpets on the pavement.
And feathers in her eye
Julie sees things that are not actually there and her perception is impaired due to her addiction.
But sooner or later, her new friends will realize
Eventually, Julie's drug friends will discover that she is working with the Drug Squad.
That Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie has been working with the Drug Squad as an informant to help arrest drug dealers.
She can't even look you in the eye
Julie is guilty and can't face people knowing that she has been working with the Drug Squad.
(Well) Well it seemed like a dream; too good to be true
Working with the Drug Squad seemed like a good escape from the world of drugs, but it was too good to be true.
Stash it in the bank while the tablets grow high
Drug dealers make a lot of money by keeping their earnings in banks, while drugs keep selling and making profit.
In their Millions
Dealers make millions by selling illegal drugs.
And everybody's high (Hi, man...)
Everyone around Julie is high, and she is also addicted to drugs.
But there's someone looking down / From that mountain side
The law enforcement is always watching out for drug dealers and their associates.
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's association with the Drug Squad makes her a target for drug dealers.
Gumbo!
The exclamation, 'Gumbo,' is just a humorous way of getting attention.
[And it's] Ten years for you / Nineteen for you / And you can get out in twenty-five / That is if you're still alive / Oh oh, alive / Oh yeah, alive / Oh oh, alive / Oh!
Depending on their involvement with drugs, people can receive different prison sentences and may not live long enough to finish them.
And then there came the night of the greatest ever raid
The Drug Squad finally broke down the drug dealers and did the greatest drug bust ever in one night.
They arrested every drug that had ever been made
The Drug Squad arrested all the different kinds of drugs that were present with the dealers.
They took eighty-two laws / Through eighty-two doors / And they didn't halt the pull / Till the cells were all full
The Drug Squad was determined to catch every seller and dealer associated with drugs and made sure they were all sentenced to jail.
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad / Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
The fact that Julie has been working with the Drug Squad is a significant reason for the bust.
They put him in a cell, they said 'you wait here' / You got the time to count all of your hair / You got fifteen years / That's a mighty long time
The drug dealer who was arrested was imprisoned for a long time and will have to wait a long time to get out of prison.
You could have been a physicist / But now your name is on the mailbag list
If the dealer did not get involved with drugs, they could have had a brilliant career but are now just a mailbag prisoner.
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad / Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Again, it's highlighted that Julie has been working with the Drug Squad all along.
Gumbo!
The exclamation, 'Gumbo,' is once again just a humorous way of ending the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephencoomer5692
CLAMPDOWN LYRICS
[Verse 1]
(The kingdom is ransacked
The jewels all taken back
And the chopper descends
They're hidden in the back
With a message on a half-baked tape
And the spool goes 'round
Sayin' I'm back here in this place
And I could cry
And there's smoke you could click on)
[Chorus]
A'what are we gonna do now?
Takin' off his turban, they said, "Is this man a Jew?"
Workin' for the clampdown
They put up a poster sayin' "We earn more than you!"
We're workin' for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
[Post-Chorus]
The judge said "Five to ten" but I say "Double that again"
I'm not (workin' for the clampdown)
No man born with a livin' soul
Can be (workin' for the clampdown)
Kick over the wall, cause government's to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D'you know that you can use it?
[Verse 2]
The voices in your head are callin'
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing comin'
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothin', so boy get running
It's the best years of your life they want to steal
[Chorus]
But, you grow up and you calm down
And you're (workin' for the clampdown)
You start wearin' blue and brown
And (workin' for the clampdown)
So you got someone to boss around
It makes ya' feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
Make your first kill now
[Post-Chorus]
In these days of evil presidentes
(Workin' for the clampdown)
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For (workin' for the clampdown)
Ha! Get along! Get along!
(Workin' for the clampdown)
Ha! Get along! Get along!
(Workin' for the clampdown)
[Bridge]
Yeah I’m workin' hard in Harrisburg
Workin' hard in Petersburg
(Workin' for the clampdown)
(Workin' for the clampdown)
Ha! Get along! Get along
Beggin' to be melted down
(Get along, get along)
Work
Work
And I give away no secrets – ha!
Work
More work
More work
Work
Work
Work
Work
[Outro]
Who's barmy now ?
@pauls5096
I believe it's more like:
The kingdom was ransacked
the jewels all taken back
and the chopper descends
they hid it in the back
and they switched it on and off
but the tape of spool just ends (I gotta get out!)
he said I'm back in this place
he hid is face in a crack
but they said there's a click on the lens
Google lyrics is definitely wrong. Nothing about a half-baked potato or half-baked tape.
@sinnombre2170
The kingdom is ransacked, the jewels all taken back and the chopper descends
They're hidden in the back, with a message on a half-baked tape with the spool going round
Saying I'm back here in this place and I could cry and there's smoke you could click on
What are we going to do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
'Cause working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you
When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
The judge said five to ten but I say double that again
I'm not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Do you know that you can use it?
The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothing, so boy, get running
It's the best years of your life they want to steal
But you grow up and you calm down
And you're working for the clampdown
You start wearing the blue and brown
And you're working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
Doesn't make you first kill now
In these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
Hah, get along, get along
Working for the clampdown
Hah, get along, get along
Working for the clampdown
Yeah, I'm working hard in Harrisburg
Working hard in Petersburg
Working for the clampdown
Working for the clampdown
Hah, get along, get along
Begging to be melted down
Get along, get along
Work
Work
Work
And I give away no secrets
Work
Work
More work
More work
Work
Work
Work
Work
@gdbarker9818
I was obsessed with the Clash and owned every album released foreign and domestic..My parents thought there was something wrong with me. My headphones were permanently attached to my ears. I'm almost 50 now and I'm listening to the clash while cleaning lol
@davidsmith8997
There clearly was something wrong with you. You didn't have massive speakers to blast The Clash and had to settle for headphones instead. That's a rough upbringing!
@elliotspencer6656
Are your parents o.k? This isn't a norman bates thing , is it?
@psionicbrotha8903
legend
@johna8973
there WAS something ""Wrong"" with you , Thank Goodness
😎👍
@glennwilson9926
52 and will still be Listening til the incinerator has melted my Lugs 😂🎵🎸🎤🎚️❤️
@fisher_lfc
This entire album is perfection to me. The seamless blending of so many genres with Joe spitting home truths and lyrics about the people. The Clash were truly one of a kind
@Pumpmaximum13
Underrated album & band as a whole.
@bazookajoe6760
@@Pumpmaximum13 how is the album underrated when it was voted 8th best album of all time by rolling stone numnuts
@elliotspencer6656
@@bazookajoe6760 What album? See.