•
Rating: The debut work of the Clash risks being misunderstood. It is wrong to consider it a younger sibling of "Nevermind The Bollocks" and wrong to consider it a wild and revolutionary record. Of course, it's rough, and the words are even more so; but it's already detached from the Pistols' punk. It's an evolution of that punk. From a strictly content perspective, this record could easily be considered the best punk album. But rightly, it is not considered as such, precisely because of that punk philosophy that said "better a noisy fiasco than an unnecessary success". In fact, this record is too well crafted to aspire to be the ultimate representative of punk. Given the lyrics and the revolutionary approach, by listening closely to the album, one may notice an evolution compared to original punk. In its power and wildness, there is already an aesthetic taste and a capacity to vary musical themes while staying within the genre's canons, truly remarkable.
Alongside the bone-crushing tracks like "White Riot" or "London’s Burning," there are many others that are truly original and fresher than any punk track ever made, like "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" or "Police & Thieves." Another fundamental characteristic is sincerity. "The Clash" is mostly a collection of battle anthems. The group doesn't even consider its earnings; they put all their best songs (up to that point) in one work, regardless of marketing. And that's very punk! It starts with "Clash City Rockers," dry riff, harsh voice, and speed. But it's not the diabolical punk of the Pistols. It’s fast but also melodic and catchy. In short, it already seems like punk rock. The best punk rock ever. "I'm So Bored With The U.S.A." accentuates the group's political themes. Another high-tension riff, another perfect melody. The refrain truly sounds like a revolt anthem. With "Remote Control," the group's strong melodic taste becomes clearly defined. It’s not a light piece, it's strong and well-delineated, but it seamlessly blends with the enticing melody in an exemplary way. "Complete Control" is even better. A flawless fusion of striking guitars, enjoyable motifs, driving rhythm, and suggestive moments of sweetness. Oh! There's also a solo! All in about three minutes. In hindsight, the developments (see London Calling and Sandinista!) of the Clash saga become clear... "White Riot" is a song, how to say... revolutionary! It's a surge of electricity. It comes closer to a popular chant than a song. It represents the rebellious spirit of the early Clash. "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" seems strange when you first hear it. A wave of guitars (beautiful), though combined with sweet choruses. The whole song follows this suggestive and well-executed hybrid. Broken singing, sometimes harsh, sometimes sweet. The high point is when the harmonica enters and blends with the song's soundscape. Pure pleasure. Perfect in all its parts. "London’s Burning" is an incisive piece. Not like "White Riot," but it still conveys anger and sweat. Honest and genuine like all Clash songs. "I Fought The Law" starts with a drum roll. It has a nice decisive rhythm and an even better melody. Among the most famous songs by the Clash. "Janis Jones" is a continuous crescendo that ends with carefree choruses. "Career Opportunities" is a fast track. Drums play a crucial role in setting the pace but especially in the breaks between verses. Naturally, the Clash offers us yet another superlative melody. "What's My Name" is the weakest track on the album. But still not bad. "Hate & War" comes close to more classic rock, maintaining the strength of punk music. "Police & Thieves" is among the most beautiful songs on the album. Truly original. It revolves around the drums; the guitar plays a few notes here and there, garnished with little choruses and singing that vaguely resembles reggae. "Jail Guitar Doors" is cheerful and carefree. Even if it's not the pinnacle of originality, it isn't redundant. As often happens in Clash records, the last track summarizes the entire album. "Garageland"; catchy melody with various tone nuances, choruses, electric guitars, strong rhythm make this track a worthy closure for a sensational album.
Don't expect only punk nihilism from "The Clash," because you'll find much more. In '77, the Clash already demonstrated their melodic vein and their ability to vary and therefore never tire. But if you're after this, listen to the group's other works first because here the crucial thing is one: REVOLT!!
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Clash City Rockers (03:49)
And I wanna move the town to the Clash City Rockers
You need a little jump of electrical shockers
You better leave town if you only wanna knock us
Nothing stands the pressure of the Clash City Rockers
You see the rate they come down the escalator
Now listen to the tube train accelerator
Then you realise that you got to have a purpose
Or this place is gonna knock you out sooner or later
So don't complain about your useless employment
Jack it in forever tonight
Or shut your mouth and pretend you enjoy it
Think of all the money you've got
And I wanna liquefy everybody gone dry
Or plug into the aerials that poke up in the sky
Or burn down the suburbs with the half-closed eyes
You won't succeed unless you try
So don't complain about your useless employment
Jack it in forever tonight
Or shut your mouth (shut it) and pretend you enjoy it
Think of all the money you've got, yeah yeah
Yes, I wanna move the town to the Clash City Rockers
You need a little jump of electrical shockers
You better leave town if you only wanna knock us
Nothing stands the pressure of the Clash City Rockers
You owe me a move say the bells of St. Groove
Come on and show me say the bells of old Bowie
When I am fitter say the bells of Gary Glitter
No one but you and I say the bells of Prince Far-I
No one but you and I say the bells of Prince Far-I
And I wanna move the town to the Clash City Rockers
You need a little jump of electrical shockers
You better leave town if you only wanna knock us
Nothing stands the pressure of the Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
Rock rock, Clash City Rockers
02 I'm So Bored With the U.S.A. (02:25)
Yankee soldier
He wanna shoot some skag
He met it in Cambodia
But now he can't afford a bag
Yankee dollar talk
To the dictators of the world
In fact it's giving orders
An' they can't afford to miss a word
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?
Yankee detectives
Are always on the TV
'Cos killers in America
Work seven days a week
Never mind the stars and stripes
Let's print the Watergate tapes
I'll salute the new wave
And I hope nobody escapes
I'm so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?
Move up Starsky
For the C.I.A.
Suck on Kojak
For the U.S.A.
03 Remote Control (03:02)
Who needs remote control
From the Civic Hall
Push a button
Activate
You gotta work an' you're late
It's so grey in London town
With a panda car crawling around
Here it comes
Eleven o'clock
Where can we go now?
Can't make a noise
Can't get no gear
Can't make no money
Can't get outta here
Big business it don't like you
It don't like the things you do
You got no money
So you got no power
They think you're useless
An' so you are - puuuuuuunnnnnk!
They had a meeting in Mayfair
They got you down an'
They wanna keep you there
It makes them worried
Their bank accounts
That's all that matters
And you don't count
Can't make no progress
Can't get ahead
Can't stop the regress
Don't wanna be dead
Look out' those rules and regulations
Who needs the Parliament
Sitting making laws all day
They're all fat and old
Queuing for the House of Lords
Repression - gonna start on Tuesday
Repression - gonna be a Dalek
Repression - I am a robot
Repression - I obey
05 White Riot (02:00)
White riot (I wanna riot)
White riot (a riot of my own)
White riot (I wanna riot)
White riot (a riot of my own)
Black man gotta lot a problems
But they don't mind throwing a brick
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick
An' everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
An' nobody wants
To go to jail!
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
Everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
Nobody wants
To go to jail!
Are you taking over
or are you taking orders?
Are you going backwards
Or are you going forwards?
08 I Fought the Law (02:41)
Breaking rocks in the hot sun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I killed my baby and it feels so bad
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
Robbing people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I lost my gun and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I left my baby and it feels so bad
I guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
09 Janie Jones (02:07)
He's in love with rock'n'roll woaahh
He's in love with gettin' stoned woaahh
He's in love with Janie Jones
But he don't like his boring job, no...
He's in love with rock'n'roll woaahh
He's in love with gettin' stoned woaahh
He's in love with Janie Jones
But he don't like his boring job, no...
An' he knows what he's got to do
So he knows he's gonna have fun with you
You lucky lady!
An' he knows when the evening comes
When his job is done he'll be over in his car for you
He's in love with rock'n'roll woaahh
He's in love with gettin' stoned woaahh
He's in love with Janie Jones
But he don't like his boring job, no...
An' in the in-tray lots of work
But the boss at the firm always thinks he shirks
But he's just like everyone, he's got a Ford Cortina
That just won't run without fuel
Fill her up, Jacko!
He's in love with rock'n'roll woaahh
He's in love with gettin' stoned woaahh
He's in love with Janie Jones
But he don't like his boring job, no...
An' the invoice it don't quite fit,
There's no payola in his alphabetical file
This time he's gonna really tell the boss
Gonna really let him know exactly how he feels
It's pretty bad!
He's in love with rock'n'roll woaahh
He's in love with gettin' stoned woaahh
He's in love with Janie Jones
But he don't like his boring job, no...
No
No
No
Let them know
Let them know
Let them know - how you feel
10 Career Opportunities (01:53)
The offered me the office, offered me the shop
They said I'd better take anything they got
Do you wanna make tea at the BBC?
Do you wanna be, do you really wanna be a cop?
Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock
Career opportunity, the ones that never knock
I hate the army and I hate the R.A.F.
I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat
I hate the civil service rules
And I won't open letter bombs for you
Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock
Career opportunity, the ones that never knock
Oi
Bus driver, ambulance man, ticket inspector
They're gonna have to introduce conscription
They're gonna have to take away my prescription
If they wanna get me making toys
If they wanna get me, well, I got no choice
Career opportunities are the ones that never knock
Every job they offer you is to keep you out the dock
Career opportunity, the ones that never knock
Careers, careers, careers
Ain't never gonna knock
11 What's My Name (01:41)
What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not who I want to be
I tired spot cream an' I tried it all I'm crawling up the wall!
What's my name naaaame...naaaame....naaaame....
I tried to join a ping-pong club, sign on the door said all full up!
I got nicked, fighting in the road an' the judge didn't even know
What's my name
Dad go pissed so I got clocked
Couldn't hear the Tannoy so he lost the lot
Offers Mum a bribe through the letter box
Drives you fucking mad
What's my name
Now I'm round the back of your house at night
Peeping in the window - are you sleeping tight?
I laugh at your locks with my celloid strip
An' you won't know who came
What's my name
13 Police & Thieves (06:01)
Police and thieves in the street
Oh yeah!
Scaring the nation with their guns and ammunition
Police and thieves in the street
Oh yeah!
Fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition
From genesis to revelation
The next generation will be hear me
From genesis to revelation
The next generation will be hear me
And all the crowd comes in day by day
No one stop it in anyway
And all the peacemaker turn war officer
Hear what I say
Vocal ad lib
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
From genesis oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Scaring, fighting the nation
Shooting, shooting their guns and ammunition
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Here come, here come, here come
The station is bombed
Get out get out get out you people
If you dont wanna get blown up
14 Jail Guitar Doors (03:05)
Let me tell you 'bout Wayne and his deals of
cocaine
A little more every day
Holding for a friend till the band do well
Then the D.E.A. locked him away
Clang clang, go the jail guitar doors
Bang bang, go the boots on the floor
Cry cry, for your lonely mother's son
Clang clang, go the jail guitar doors
An' I'll tell you 'bout Pete, didn't want no fame
Gave all his money away
"Well there's something wrong, it'll be good for you, son"
And so they certified him insane
And then there's Keith, waiting for trial
Twenty-five thousand bail
If he goes down you won't hear his sound
But his friends carry on anyway
Fuck 'em!
Jail guitar doors
54/46 was my number
Jail guitar doors
Right now someone else has that number
15 Garageland (03:12)
Back in the garage with my bullshit detector
Carbon monoxide making sure it's effective
People ringing up making offers for my life
But I just wanna stay in the garage all night
We're a garage band
We come from Garageland
Meanwhile things are hotting up in the West End alright
Contracts in the offices, groups in the night
My bummin' slummin' friends have all got new boots
An' someone just asked me if the Group would wear suits
I don't wanna hear about what the rich are doing
I don't wanna go to where the rich are going
They think they're so clever, they think they're so right
But the truth is only known by guttersnipes
There's twenty-two singers! But one microphone
Back in the garage there's five guitar players
But one guitar, back in the garage
Complaints! Complaints! Wot an old bag
Back in the garage ...all night
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By RingoStarfish
It was rock & roll stripped to the bone, guided by anger but also by the taste for songwriting.
The Clash amaze us by extracting their unprecedented reggae feature with the cover of Junior Murvin.
By poison.mind
"'Clash City Rockers' is the first song to take the stage, which will then become one of the most memorable anthems of punk."
"'The Clash', the first CD of the English band, undoubtedly is part of the beginning of punk music history!"
