The Guns of Brixton
The Clash
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When they kick at your front door How you gonna come? With your hands on your head Or on the trigger of your gun When the law break in How you gonna go? Shot down on the pavement Or waiting on death row You can crush us You can bruise us But you'll have to answer to Oh, the guns of Brixton The money feels good And your life you like it well But surely your time will come As in heaven, as in hell You see, he feels like Ivan Born under the Brixton sun His game is called survivin' At the end of the harder they come You know it means no mercy They caught him with a gun No need for the Black Maria Goodbye to the Brixton sun You can crush us You can bruise us Yes, even shoot us But oh-the guns of Brixton When they kick at your front door How you gonna come? With your hands on your head Or on the trigger of your gun You can crush us You can bruise us Yes, even shoot us But oh-the guns of Brixton Shot down on the pavement Waiting in death row His game is called survivin' As in heaven as in hell You can crush us You can bruise us But you'll have to answer to Oh, the guns of Brixton
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Written by: Paul Gustave Simonon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Release"The Guns of Brixton" is a song by the English punk rock band "The Clash". It was released in 1979 on their third studio album, "London Calling".
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ComposerThis song is unique because it's one of the few songs for which Paul Simonon, the band's bassist, provided lead vocals. He also wrote the song.
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InspirationThe title and lyrics of the song were inspired by the Brixton area of South London where Simonon grew up. At the time, Brixton was heavily associated with crime, and the song deals with themes of unrest and dissatisfaction with law enforcement.
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Foreboding LyricsThe lyrics "When they kick at your front door/How you gonna come?/With your hands on your head/Or on the trigger of your gun" were, ironically and sadly, a premonition of sorts. Later, in the 1981 Brixton riots, the police would indeed kick in doors to arrest suspected rioters.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by various artists, including Nouvelle Vague, Jimmy Cliff, Arcade Fire and Cypress Hill.
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Use in FilmsThe song has been featured in various films such as "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and "22 Jump Street".
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Music StylesThe song is characterized by its reggae-inspired bass riff. This marked a divergence from The Clash's usual punk rock style and showcased the band's versatility.
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Legacy"The Guns of Brixton" is regarded as an anthem and is a popular song that is frequently played on alternative and punk rock radio stations, showcasing The Clash's enduring popularity.
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B-sideIn 2011 the song was released as a 7" vinyl single along with another song "The Magnificent Seven" from their album "Sandinista!" as side B.
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Album RecognitionThe album "London Calling" which features "The Guns of Brixton" is typically regarded as The Clash's best album and consistently ranks high on greatest album lists from publications such as Rolling Stone and NME.
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Citation
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"The Guns of Brixton Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4591609/The+Clash/The+Guns+of+Brixton>.
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