This Is England
The Clash
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I hear a gang fire on a human factory farm Are they howling out or doing somebody harm On a catwalk jungle somebody grabbed my arm A voice spoke so cold it matched the weapon in her palm This is England This knife of Sheffield steel This is England This is how we feel Time on his hands freezing in those clothes He won't go for the carrot They beat him by the pole Some sunny day confronted by his soul He's out at sea, too far off, he can't go home This is England What we're supposed to die for This is England And we're never gonna cry no more Black shadow of the Vincent Falls on a Triumph line I got my motorcycle jacket But I'm walking all the time South Atlantic wind blows Ice from a dying creed I see no glory When will we be free This is England We can chain you to the rail This is England We can kill you in a jail The British boots go kick them Got 'em in the head Police ain't watchin' The newspapers been read Who cares to protest A (???) in the eye like a flare Out came the batons and The British warned themselves This is England The land of (il)legal dances This is England Land of a thousand stances This is England This knife of Sheffield steel This is England This is how we feel This is England This is England
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6 fans
Written by: Bernard Rhodes, Joe Strummer
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"This Is England" was co-written by Joe Strummer and Bernard Rhodes. Strummer was a member of The Clash and Rhodes was the band's manager.
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Album PlacementThe song is the lead single from the band's last studio album, "Cut The Crap" which was released in 1985.
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Song ThemeThe song reflects on the state of England in the mid-1980s, focusing on social and political issues such as unemployment, racial tensions, and the national identity crisis.
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Change in Band Composition"This is England" was written and recorded after the departure of key members Mick Jones and Topper Headon. This is said to have significantly changed the sound and dynamic of The Clash.
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Music StyleUnlike earlier releases, "This Is England" incorporated elements of dance and electronic music, marking a departure from the band's punk roots.
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Reception at ReleaseThe song did not chart as well as band's previous hits, peaking at only number 24 on UK Singles chart.
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Song Criticism"This Is England" received mixed reviews upon its release. Some fans praised its intense lyricism and new sound, while others criticized it as a departure from The Clash's punk roots.
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Current AppraisalDespite its initial mixed reception, the song has since been referred to as “the last great Clash song.”
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Unique Music VideoThe music video for "This Is England" features a confused Strummer wandering around a barren wasteland, symbolizing England's cultural and economic desolation during that period.
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Song LengthClocking in at just over 3 minutes, "This Is England" is one of The Clash's shorter songs.
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Citation
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"This Is England Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6136535/The+Clash/This+Is+England>.
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