Know Your Rights

The Clash

About Know Your Rights

"Know Your Rights" is a song by the Clash. It was released as the first single from the album Combat Rock, three weeks prior to the release of the album. The song begins with the words "This is a public service announcement...with guitars!" The structure of the song revolves around the rights held by the poor and disenfranchised, in which the speaker of the song, presumably a villainous civil servant (whose identity is assumed in the song by vocalist Joe Strummer), names the three actual rights. At the end, the notion that more rights should be granted is rebuffed by the speaker. The three are: "The right not to be killed. Murder is a crime, unless it is done by a policeman, or an aristocrat". "The right to food money, providing of course, you don't mind a little investigation, humiliation, and, if you cross your fingers, rehabilitation". "The right to free speech (as long as you're not dumb enough to actually try it)". 


Year:
1999
4:05
231 

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This is a public service announcement
With guitar
Know your rights all three of them

Number one
You have the right not to be killed
Murder is a crime!
Unless it was done by a
Policeman or aristocrat
Know your rights

And Number two
You have the right to food money
Providing of course you
Don't mind a little
Investigation, humiliation
And if you cross your fingers
Rehabilitation

Know your rights
These are your rights
Wang

Know these rights

Number three
You have the right to free
Speech as long as you're not
Dumb enough to actually try it.

Know your rights
These are your rights
All three of 'em
It has been suggested
In some quarters that this is not enough!
Well...

Get off the streets
Get off the streets
Run
You don't have a home to go to
Smush

Finally then I will read you your rights

You have the right to remain silent
You are warned that anything you say
Can and will be taken down
And used as evidence against you

Listen to this
Run

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The Clash

The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass guitar, vocals) and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion). Headon left the group in 1982, and internal friction led to Jones's departure the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986. more »

6 fans

Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Basics
"Know Your Rights" is the first song and single off the final studio album, "Combat Rock" by the British punk rock band, The Clash released in 1982.
Music Composition
The song is musically simple, based mostly on a single, constant rhythm guitar riff, with lyrics spoken rather than sung.
Lyrics Content
"Know Your Rights" is a satirical song that lists what lead vocalist Joe Strummer facetiously referred to as the three 'fundamental' rights of individuals.
Political Satire
Sung in Strummer's faux-abusive style, the song's rights actually parody limitations and restrictions on rights, essentially highlighting political discontent in a sardonic manner.
Song Release
It was released as the lead single from the album in April 1982 and was the first new Clash material since the post- "Sandinista!" single, "This Is Radio Clash."
Chart Performance
The song had modest chart success, reaching No. 43 on the UK Singles Chart.
Meaning of the Song
The song's lyrics are a criticism of the concept of rights, arguing that the supposed "rights" are often insignificant compared to larger injustices in society.
Performance Style
The live performances of this song often included Strummer arguing with the crowd about their rights, adding to the song's political theatrics.
Album Success
"Combat Rock," the album on which "Know Your Rights" is featured, is The Clash's best-selling album, helped largely by two of its other singles, "Should I Stay or Should I Go" and "Rock the Casbah."
Legacy
Despite its mixed critical reception at the time, "Know Your Rights," along with the majority of The Clash's discography, has gone on to be regarded as a classic in punk rock literature, admired for its unabashed political and societal criticism.

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