Know Your Rights
The Clash
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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 an aristocrat Oh, 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 Hey, say, Wang Oh, 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 Oh, know your rights These are your rights All three of 'em Ha! It has been suggested in some quarters That this is not enough Well Get off the streets Run Get off the streets
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
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.
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Music CompositionThe song is musically simple, based mostly on a single, constant rhythm guitar riff, with lyrics spoken rather than sung.
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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.
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Political SatireSung 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.
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Song ReleaseIt 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."
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Chart PerformanceThe song had modest chart success, reaching No. 43 on the UK Singles Chart.
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Meaning of the SongThe 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.
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Performance StyleThe live performances of this song often included Strummer arguing with the crowd about their rights, adding to the song's political theatrics.
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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."
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LegacyDespite 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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"Know Your Rights Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29634094/The+Clash/Know+Your+Rights>.
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