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Lyrics C

Call Up, The

Capital Radio (One/Two)

Car Jamming

Card Cheat, The

Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities (Child Version)

Charlie Don't Surf

Cheapskates

Cheat

City of the Dead

Clampdown

Clash City Rockers

Complete Control

Cool Confusion

Cool Out, The

Cool Under Heat

Corner Soul

Crooked Beat, The

Call Up, The
(The Clash)

It's up to you not to heed the call-up
'N' you must not act the way you were brought up
Who knows the reasons why you have grown up?
Who knows the plans or why they were drawn up?

It's up to you not to heed the call-up
I don't wanna die!
It's up to you not to hear the call-up
I don't wanna kill!

For he who will die
Is he who will kill

Maybe I wanna see the wheatfields
Over Kiev and down to the sea

All the young people down the ages
They gladly marched off to die
Proud city fathers used to watch them
Tears in their eyes

There is a rose that I want to live for
Although, God knows, I may not have met her
There is a dance an' I should be with her
There is a town - unlike any other

It's up to you not to hear the call-up
'N' you must not act the way you were brought up
Who give you work an' why should you do it?
At fifty five minutes past eleven
There is a rose...
Yeah!

 

Capital Radio (One/Two)
(Strummer/Jones)

YES, IT'S TIME FOR THE DR. GOEBBELS
SHOW!

THERE'S A TOWER IN THE HEART OF LONDON
WITH A RADIO STATION RIGHT AT THE TOP
THEY DON'T MAKE THE CITY BEAT
THEY'RE MAKING ALL THE ACTION STOP

A LONG TIME AGO THERE WERE PIRATES
BEAMING WAVES FROM THE SEA
BUT NOW ALL THE STATIONS ARE SILENCED
'COS THEY AIN'T GOT A GOVERNMENT LICENSE

WANNA TELL YOUR PROBLEMS
PHONE IN FROM YOUR BEDSIT ROOM
HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR PARTNER
LET US ALL IN ON THE NEWS

IF YOU WANNA HEAR A RECORD
GET THE WORD FROM AIDEN DAY
HE PICKS ALL THE HITS TO PLAY
TO KEEP YOU IN YOUR PLACE ALL DAY

CAPITAL RADIO
IN TUNE WITH NOTHING
DON'T TOUCH THAT DIAL

 

Car Jamming
(The Clash)

Tonight they're closing up the world
N' sweeping smoke from cigarettes
And what is that funk multi-national
Anthem rocking from a thousand
King Kong cassette decks
Then a shyboy from Missouri
Boots blown off in a '60s war
Riding aluminium crutches
Now he knows the welfare kindness n'
Agent Orange color blindness
As we works from door to door
The violence in the carpets
The mirror of his wife
Drives the slum-bum dweller
To grind his hunting knife
In homesteads of cigar box-radios
Hive like bees
The body in the ice
Box has no date for freeeeeze

CHORUS
In a car jam

Selling is what selling sells
But only saints of the 7 avenues can sell
The 7 hells
Fanning the drug afflicted leperizing zone
Once inside the executive
He never leaves his home
Gorillas drag their victiims
Hyenas try to sue
Snakes find grass in concrete
There is no city zoo by
Ventilation units where towers
Meet the streets
The ragged stand in bags
Soaking heat up through their feet

This was the donly kindness
And it was accidental too

CHORUS

Now shaking single engined planes
Traffik-king stereos from Cuba
Buzzed the holy zealot mass

And drowned out Missa Luba
And drowned out Missa Luba
I thought I saw Lauren Bacall
I thought I saw Lauren Bacall
I swear
Hey fellas
Lauren Bacall
In a car jam
Yeah I don't believe it
In a car jam
Ah yeah positively absolutely

CHORUS

 

Card Cheat, The
(Strummer/Jones)

There's a solitary man crying, "Hold me"
It's only because he's a-lonely
If the keeper of time runs slowly
He won't be alive for long!

If he only had time to tell of all of the things he planned
With a card up his sleeve, what would he achieve?
It means nothing!

To the opium den and the barroom gin
In the Belmont chair playing violins
The gambler's face cracks into a grin
As he lays down the king of spades

But the dealer just stares
There's something wrong here, he thinks
The gambler is seized and forced to his knees
And shot dead

He only wanted more time
Away from the darkest door
But his luck it gave in
As the dawn light crept in
And he lay on the floor

From the Hundred Year War to the Crimea
With a lance and a musket and a Roman spear
To all of the men who have stood with no fear
In the service of the King

Before you met your fate be sure you
Did not forsake your lover
May not be around anymore

Career Opportunities
(Strummer/Jones)

The offered me the office, offered me the
shop
They said I'd better take anything they'd 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 an' 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

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

Careers
Careers
Careers

Ain't never gonna knock

 

Career Opportunities (Child Version)
(The Clash)

They offered me the office,
offered me the shop
They said I'd better take anything they'd 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 opportunities, the ones that never knock

I hate all of my school's rules
They just think that I'm another fool

Bus driver....ambulance man....ticket inspector
I don't understand

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, I got no choice

Careers
Careers
Careers

Career opportunities, the ones that never knock

 

Charlie Don't Surf
(The Clash)

CHORUS
Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie's gonna be a napalm star

Everybody wants to rule the world
Must be something we get from birth
One truth is we never learn
Satellites will make space burn

We've been told to keep the strangers out
We don't like them starting to hang around
We don't like them all over town
Across the world we are going to blow them down

CHORUS

The reign of the super powers must be over
So many armies can't free the earth
Soon the rock will roll over
Africa is choking on their Coca Cola

It's a one a way street in a one horse town
One way people starting to brag around
You can laugh, put them dowm
These one way people gonna blow us down

CHORUS

Charlie don't surf he'll never learn
Charlie don't surf though he's got a gun
Charlie don't surf think that he should
Charlie don't surf we really think he should
Charlie don't surf

Charlie don't surf and we think he should
Charlie don't surf and you know that it ain't no good
Charlie don't surf for his hamburger Momma
Charlie don't surf

 

Cheapskates
(Strummer/Jones)

I have been a washer up
An' he has been a scrubber up
An' I seen him a picking up
Dog ends in the rain
An' he has never read a book
Though I told him to take a look
He lifted his poolhall cue
For another game
But it ain't no modern miracle
That we found the golden rule
What you can't buy you gotta steal
An' what you say can't steal you better leave

I don't like to hang about
In this lonely room
'Cos london is for going out
And trying to hear a tune
But people come pouncing up to me
And say what are you doing here
You're supposed to be a star
Not a cheapskate bleeding queer

Like a load of rats from a sinking ship
You slag us down to save your hip
But you don't give me the benfit
Of your doubt
'Cos I'll bite it off and spit it out

We're cheapskates anything'll do
We're cheapskates what are we supposed to do?
An' we can rock
Hey hey let's roll
An' we can walk
An' do the stroll

Just because we're in a group
You think we're stinking rich
'N we all got model girls
Shedding every stitch
'N You think the cocaine's flowing
Like a river up our noses
'N every sea will part for us
Like the red one did for Moses

Well I hope you make it one day
Just like you always said you would some day
And I'll get out my money and make a bet
That I'll be seein' you down the launderette

 

Cheat
(Strummer/Jones)

I GET VIOLENT WHEN I'M FUCKED UP
I GET SILENT WHEN I'M DRUGGED UP
WANT EXCITEMENT, DON'T GET NONE, I GO WILD

I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT
IF YOU PLAY THE GAME YOU GET NOTHING OUT OF IT
FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF TRY BEIN' A GOODY GOODY

YOU BETTER CHEAT CHEAT
NO REASON TO PLAY FAIR
CHEAT CHEAT OR DON'T GET ANYWHERE
CHEAT CHEAT IF YOU CAN'T WIN

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING
IT'S BEYOND YOUR CONTROL, AN' FRIDAY NIGHT'S A RUIN
IF YOU WANNA SURVIVE YOU BETTER LEARN HOW TO LIE

DON'T USE THE RULES
THEY'RE NOT FOR YOU, THEY'RE FOR THE FOOLS
AND YOU'RE A FOOL IF YOU DON'T KNOW THAT
SO USE THE RULE YOU STUPID FOOL

 

City of the Dead
(Strummer/Jones)

THIS IS THE CITY OF THE DEAD
AS WE LIE SIDE BY SIDE IN BED
I'D DO SOMETHING ELSE INSTEAD
BUT IT IS THE CITY OF THE DEAD

WE WENT OUT KICKIN' AROUND
BUT YOU GOT DRUNK AN' FALLEN DOWN
AN' I WISHED I COULD BE LIKE YOU
WITH THE SOHO RIVER DRINKING ME DOWN

IN THE CITY OF THE DEAD
FALL IN LOVE AN' FALL IN BED
IT WASN'T ANYTHING YOU SAID
EXCEPT I KNOW WE BOTH LIE DEAD

DON'T YOU KNOW WHERE TO COP
THAT'S WHAT NEW YORK JOHNNY SAID * * * *
YOU SHOULD GET TO KNOW YOUR TOWN
JUST LIKE I KNOW MINE

WHILE ALL THE WINDOWS STARE AHEAD
AN' THE STREETS ARE FILLED WITH DREAD
EVERY NATION IN THE WORLD
SLINKS THROUGH THE ALLEY AFTER GIRLS

WHAT WE WEAR IS DANGEROUS GEAR
IT'LL GET YOU PICKED ON ANYWHERE
THOUGH WE GET BEAT UP WE DON'T CARE
AT LEAST IT LIVENS UP THE AIR

BUT SOMEDAYS WE HIDE INSIDE
ALL COURAGE GONE AND PARALYSED
SNIFF THAT WIND OF UGLY TENSION
TODAY THE JERKS HAVE GOT AGGRESSION

IT IS THE CITY OF THE DEAD

*JOHNNY THUNDERS

 

Clampdown
(Strummer/Jones)

What are we gonna do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a Jew?
'Cause they're 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
D'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 runnin'
It's the best years of your life they want to steal

You grow up and you calm down
You're working for the clampdown
You start wearing the blue and brown
You're working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
You made your 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
But ha! Gitalong! Gitalong!

And I've given away no secrets
Who's barmy now?

 

Clash City Rockers
(Strummer/Jones)

An' 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

An' 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

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

An' 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

 

Complete Control
(Strummer/Jones)

They said release 'Remote Control'
But we didn't want it on the label
They said, "Fly to Amsterdam"
The people laughed but the press went mad

Ooh ooh ooh someone's really smart
Ooh ooh ooh complete control, that's a laugh

On the last tour my mates couldn't get in
I'd open up the back door but they'd get run out again
At every hotel we was met by the Law
Come for the party - come to make sure!

Ooh ooh ooh have we done something wrong?
Ooh ooh ooh complete control, even over this song

They said we'd be artistically free
When we signed that bit of paper
They meant let's make a lotsa mon-ee
An' worry about it later

Ooh ooh ooh I'll never understand
Ooh ooh ooh complete control - lemme see your other hand!

All over the news spread fast
They're dirty, they're filthy
They ain't gonna last!

This is Joe Public speaking
I'm controlled in the body, controlled in the mind

Total
C-o-n control - that means you!

 

Cool Confusion
(The Clash)

BETWEEN COOL CONFUSION
AND KUNG FU IN THE CAR PARK
COULD THE WEEKEND BE LOSING
THAT REACTIVE SPARK

EVEN IN THE SHEBEEN
OR DOWN IN THE MEAT RACK
LONGTIME I FEEL COLD
TO SEND CINDERELLA'S SHOE BACK

ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WIRE
PARTY JAM ON THE LINE
I CAN'T HEAR A THING
CAN'T GET NO NUMBER NINE

NOW WE MUST GET IN TOUCH
IF THE NIGHT IS TO BURN
SOMEONE OUT THERE IN LUCK
LEND ME YOUR STAR FOR A TURN

AS HEROES FIX THEIR HAIR
SOME ARE SAVING THEIR BREATH
JUST ON THE WALKWAYS TONIGHT
FOR A GLUE BAG DEATH

SCREENS FLICK IN UNISON
SOME GAZE AT THE SOUL
FROM THE TIERS AND THE HEIGHTS
GO FOR THE FIFTEENTH FLOOR STROLL

IT'S IMMEDIATELY OBVIOUS
ANYBODY STAR-GILT
WOULD HAVE LEFT THIS CLUB
WAY BEFORE IT WAS BUILT

THIS STRIKES YOU SO LATE
AS THE GUY WITH THE BROOM
SWEEPS YOU AND THE BOTTLES
RIGHT OUT OF THE ROOM

NOW I WASH IN THE FACTORY
CONFESS IN THE TILE HOUSE
I DON'T NEED TO BLEED ANYBODY
TO STRIKE OUT

TODAY MY GODFATHER
HE SENT A NOTE FROM THE JAIL
SAID GO GET 'EM KID
BUT DON'T GET CHAINED TO THE RAIL

BETWEEN COOL CONFUSION
AND KUNG FU IN THE CAR PARK
COULD THE WEEKEND BE LOSING
THAT ROMANTIC SPARK

EVEN IN THE SHEBEEN
OR DOWN IN THE MEAT RACK
LONG TIME I FEEL COLD
TO SEND CINDERELLA'S SHOE BACK

 

Cool Out, The
(The Clash)
(Instrumental)

 

Cool Under Heat
(Strummer/Rhodes)

Rebels on the corner
Rebels to the core
Got a million dollar question
What is livin' for?

Hey! Man can scratch a livin'
In a fat man's city class
The teacher is survival
But soon the present will be the past

So!
Be cool under heat
Be cool under heat
Be cool on the street
Be cool under heat

When you're rockin' down
On a cold hard night
Pitiless eyes of the cityless souls
Narrow in the lights

Sorrow upon sorrow
Go ganging up in your head
You can leave it till tomorrow
If you can balance on the edge

Hey!
Be cool under heat
Be cool under heat
Be cool on the street
Be cool under heat

When the baby and you got to fight
Go cool your love in the rain
When the match refuses to strike
Show that you really are in pain

I'm giving you a warning
Gonna burn those blue suede shoes
Swagger in the mornin'
Prints up front page news

Be cool under heat
Be cool under heat
Be cool on the street
Be cool under heat

 

Corner Soul
(The Clash)

Is the music of grove skin rock
Soaked in the diesel of was boys war?
Blood, black gold and the face of a judge
Is the music calling for a river of blood?

Beat the drums tonight, Alphonso
Spread the news all over the grove
The big meeting has decided
That total was must burn on the grove

Does it mean I should take my machete
To chop my way through the path of life?
Does it mean I should run with the dog pack
Is that the way to be the one to survive?

Never need a gun says Tai Chi
Move on up to dragon snaps his tail
Fall back on still waters
Hammer with his eye on the nail

Spread the word tonight please, Sammy
They're searching everyhouse on the grove
Don't go alone now, Sammy!
The wind has blown away the corner soul

Tell the news for me, Sammy
They're searching every place on the grove
But don't go down alone new, Sammy!
The wind has blown away the croner soul

Is the music calling for a river of blood?

 

Crooked Beat, The
(The Clash)

Start the car lets make a midnight run
Across the river to South London
To dance to the latest hi-fi sound
Of bass, guitar and drum
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure off
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat

Take a piece of cloth, a coin for thirst
For the sweat will start to run
With a cymbal splash, a word of truth
And a rocking bass and drum
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the pressure on
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat

So one by one they come on down
From the tower blocks of my home town
Stepping with the rhythm of the rockers beat
Drowning out the pressure of the crooked beat
Seeking out a rhythm that can take the tension on
Stepping in and out of that crooked crooked beat

It has crooked past this crooked street
Where cars patrol this crooked beat
Badges flsh and sirens wail
They'll be taking one and all to jail

Prance! Prance! You want a law to dance?


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