first: the whole london calling lp is a great record, a diverse masterpiece. this song reminds me of the flaming groovies 'shake some action' but it has it's own sound and the lyrics are great too.
from london calling (cbs clash 3), available on CD
I love the Clash. I love the way they were four disparate individuals each bringing their own stuff to the mix. Topper's excellent drumming, Simonon's cool, Mick Jones musicality and street smarts, and Joe Strummer's....umm...Strummer-ness.
I love the fact they didn't play Top of the Pops. I love the fact that Strummer admitted that this was mainly 'cos he was crap at miming rather than out of any significant political stance or anything.
I love how gooood they were live. And I love the fact that I was lucky enough to see them.
I love the fact that Strummer picked 'Crawfish' as his favourite Elvis song. I also love the fact that sometimes, to my mind, they got things badly wrong, sounded a bit gauche or wrongheaded or worse. I'm thinking of Red Brigade t-shirts, using Belfast as a photo opportunity, and maybe singing about ghettos and Brixton, for the 'romance' of it when they weren't necessarily the closest to either. I dunno. That side makes me feel uneasy at times, but that's fine - makes me think.
This song is great. Reggae influenced rock, Strummer belting out 'one more time in the ghetto...'.
Its been so sad losing Joe, Johnny (Cash) and John (Peel) over the last couple of years. Good men, you feel.
from Sandanista, available on CD
Recommend your favorite
tracks composed by Strummer/Jones