Jail Guitar Doors
The Clash
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
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 F*ck 'em! Jail guitar doors Fifty four/forty six was my number Jail guitar doors Right now someone else has that number
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
6 fans
Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
20 facts about this song
Origins"Jail Guitar Doors" was written and performed by the British punk rock band, The Clash. It is the B-side to their 1978 single, "Clash City Rockers."
|
Lyrical ContentThe song was written about the imprisonment of their friends and fellow musicians, Wayne Kramer of the MC5 and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, for drug offenses.
|
Named InspirationThe title "Jail Guitar Doors" was derived from the door of the cell that Keith Richards was kept in during his incarceration.
|
Wayne Kramer ConnectionAfter being released from prison, Wayne Kramer, the song's main focal character, actually collaborated with The Clash's Mick Jones in the band Carbon Silicon.
|
Non-Album TrackDespite being released during the band's peak era, the song does not appear on any of The Clash’s original studio albums.
|
Cover Versions"Jail Guitar Doors" has been covered by several artists including Wayne Kramer, who the song was written about, and Billy Bragg who turned it into an initiative of the same name.
|
Later UsageThe song was subsequently included in the band's "Super Black Market Clash" and the later "Singles Box" compilation albums.
|
Bragg’s Charitable InitiativeIn 2007, musician Billy Bragg launched a charitable initiative named after the song, which provides musical equipment for use in prisons to aid the rehabilitation process.
|
Significance"Jail Guitar Doors" is significant as it shows The Clash's solidarity with their fellow musicians and highlights the perils of drug misuse.
|
ImpactThe song has made an impact not just in the music world, but also on prison rehabilitation initiatives - demonstrating the band's ongoing influence and dedication to social issues.
|
Song Origin"Jail Guitar Doors" is a song by The Clash from their 1978 album "Give 'Em Enough Rope". It was initially released as the B-side to their single "Clash City Rockers".
|
Lyrics ReferenceThe song title references the initiative where guitars were provided to jails, for inmates to use as a form of rehabilitation. The lyrics mention various musicians who had been incarcerated.
|
Wayne KramerOne of these musicians is Wayne Kramer of the MC5, who the song describes as "doing ten years on a set-up". Kramer later founded a charity called Jail Guitar Doors USA, inspired by the song.
|
Billy Bragg InitiativeIn 2007, Billy Bragg founded an initiative also called "Jail Guitar Doors", which provides instruments to inmates in the UK. This was inspired by the song and its message about music as a means of rehabilitation.
|
Iconic Sound"Jail Guitar Doors" was not a chart hit, but its uniquely gritty sound, raw energy, and powerful lyrics have made it an enduring favorite among fans of The Clash.
|
Unofficial Theme SongThe song became the unofficial theme song for the "Jail Guitar Doors" initiatives started by Wayne Kramer and Billy Bragg, symbolizing the power of music to reform and rehabilitate.
|
Message of HopeDespite its hard-edged, punk rock sound, "Jail Guitar Doors" carries a strong message of hope for those incarcerated, suggesting that music can be a powerful tool for personal transformation and healing.
|
Complicated HistoryWhile the song is largely remembered for its positive message of rehabilitation, it also touches on the darker side of the music industry and the struggles many artists face with substance abuse and legal troubles.
|
Tribute to Fallen MusiciansAmong the musicians referenced in the song are the small-faces member, Steve Marriott, and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, both of whom had fallen into drug addiction.
|
Bolan’s TributeThe lyrics of the song include a tribute to Marc Bolan, the frontman of glam rock band T. Rex, who died in a car crash in 1977. The verse goes "Death or glory, becomes just another story", which some interpret as a comment on the fleeting nature of fame.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Jail Guitar Doors Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3298529/The+Clash/Jail+Guitar+Doors>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the Jail Guitar Doors Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In