Clampdown

Artist: The Clash

First Release: London Calling

Length: 3:49

Vocals: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones

Themes:

Additional Information:

• A demo version of this song is included on the London Calling 25th Anniversary Edition album with the title 'Working And Waiting'. Another working title for this song was 'For Fuck's Sake'

• live premiere on "The Clash Take The Fifth" tour in September 1979

• The lyrics to the spoken intro have never been officially revealed. In the 2005 Mojo Clash collectors edition magazine, an interpretation of the lyrics is given as:

"The kingdom is ransacked
The jewels all taken back
And the chopper descends

They're hidden in the back
With a message on a half-baked tape
With the spool going round

Saying I'm back here in this place
And I could cry
And there's smoke you could click on"

• The above intro was occasionally performed acappella by Joe Strummer when the song was played live, but the words for each performance were often adlibbed and are clearly different from those on record.

• The last song Mick Jones performed live on stage with The Clash.

References:

Clampdown
Lyrics | Guitar Tab | Bass Tab