Revolution Rock

About Revolution Rock

"Revolution Rock" is a song by the Clash, featured on their 1979 album London Calling. The song was written by Danny Ray and released as a single to modest success. According to Paul Simonon, "Danny Ray put out his version of "Revolution Rock" just before we were recording London Calling." Ray sampled the Jackie Edwards song "Get Up" on the track, so Edwards is listed as the co-writer. Joe Strummer changed several of the lyrics, including a reference to Mack the Knife and the trend of smashing up seats at punk shows ("Everybody smash up your seats, and rock to this brand new beat"). The song is an ode to self-motivation. It was originally going to close London Calling, but "Train in Vain" was added at the last minute. There was another reggae song of the same title released in 1973 by Big Youth and Prince Buster. According to Ray, "The lyrics come from going to the clubs and seeing what was going on, you know?"The song features staccato horn chants and "sinuous" guitar stylings. According to Sean Egan, "Strummer uses his voice almost as an instrument in the way he cleverly manufactures the illusion of call and response with already recorded instruments." An instrumental version of the song was featured on the Rude Boy film. "Revolution Rock" was a staple in live shows from the end of 1979 to 1981. According to Billboard, "With the help of sidemen the Irish Horns, the Clash get downright giddy." more »

Year:

1979

5:33

273 Views

Playlists:

#3

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Revolution rock, it is a brand new rock
A bad, bad rock, this here revolution rock

Careful how you move, Mac, you dig me in me back
An' I'm so pilled up that I rattle
I have got the sharpest knife, so I cut the biggest slice
I got no time to do battle, hey

Everybody smash up your seats and rock to this
Brand new beat
This here music mash up the nation
This here music cause a sensation
Tell your ma, tell your pa everything's gonna be all right
Can't you feel it? Don't ignore it
Gonna be alright

Revolution rock, I am in a state of shock
So bad, bad rock, this here revolution rock

Careful how you slide, Clyde, all you did was glide
You poured your beer in me hat
Keep my good eye on the beat, living on fixation street
I ain't got no time for that, hey

Everybody smash up your seats and rock to this
Brand new beat
This here music mash up the nation
This here music cause a sensation
Tell your mama, tell your pa everything's gonna be all right
Can't you feel it? Don't ignore it
Gonna be alright

Revolution rock
Get that cheese-grater going, against the grain
Wearing me down
Pressure increaase

(Everybody!) Everybody smash up your seats and rock to this
Brand new beat
This here music mash up nations
This here music cause a sensation
Tell your mama, forgive your papa, everything's gonna be all right
Can't you feel it? Don't ignore it
Gonna be alright

Revolution rock

To the cruelest mobsters in Kingstown
With the hardest eyes and the cruelest tongue
Is your heart so made of rock
That the blood must run 'round the block?
Are you listening mobsters? Hey!
All people grow old, gotta die
While those kinda fools go rolling by
It's food for thought, mobsters
Young people shoot their days away
I've seen talent thrown away
All you loan sharks!

The organ plays
And they're dancing to the brand new beat
This here music mash up nation
This here music cause a sensation
Tell your ma-ma-ma-ma, tell your pa-pa-pa-pa everything's gonna be all right
Can't you feel it? Don't ignore it
Everything's gonna be alright
I say, revolution rocks

There's that old cheese grater
Rubbing me down
This must be the way out

Here's the cheap bit
Ooh la ooh la ooh la

Any song you want
Playing requests now on the bandstand
El Clash Combo
Paid fifteen dollars a day
Weddings, parties, anything
And Bongo Jazz a speciality

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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 »

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