The Clash was an English punk rock band formed in London in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Topper Headon. The Clash achieved commercial success in the United Kingdom with the release of their debut album, The Clash (1977), and notoriety in the United States after the release of London Calling (1979). Their third album, Sandinista! (1980), was released as a triple album and featured a more experimental sound, and was also a top 20 hit on the UK charts.
The Clash’s politicized lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock, alternative rock in particular. They became widely referred to as “The Only Band That Matters”, originally a promotional slogan introduced by the group’s record label, CBS. In January 2003, the band—including all four original members—were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Clash number 28 on their list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.
| Name | The Clash |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Genre | Punk rock, Post-punk, Reggae |
| Members | Joe Strummer (1952-2002), Mick Jones (1955- ), Paul Simonon (1955- ), Topper Headon (1955- ) |
| Notable Albums | London Calling (1979), Combat Rock (1982) |
| Notable Songs | Should I Stay or Should I Go (1982), Rock the Casbah (1982) |
10 Best The Clash Quotes
“I think that punk was about individual freedom and doing what you wanted to do, not just conforming to the government’s ideas.”
– Joe Strummer, from Rolling Stone
“It’s always been the same – our mission to expose the hypocrisy of the ruling classes and the establishment.”
– Joe Strummer, from The Guardian
“The Clash was a band that always wanted to move forward, to try different things. It was a band that never wanted to repeat itself.”
– Mick Jones, from Rolling Stone
“People think of us as punks, but that was just an attitude we had. We weren’t punk at all; we were a rock ‘n’ roll band.”
– Paul Simonon, from The New York Times
“I think the thing about the Clash is that it was about having a good time but being serious at the same time.”
– Joe Strummer, from The Independent
“We weren’t just a band, we were a movement. We still are.”
– Joe Strummer, from NME
“We were a band that was full of ideas and we never really wanted to stay in the same spot.”
– Mick Jones, from NME
“The Clash was about having a good time, but it was also about making a statement. We wanted to confront people, and make them think.”
– Paul Simonon, from Buzzfeed
“The Clash was always about turning the world upside down. We wanted to make a revolution.”
– Joe Strummer, from The Guardian
“The Clash was about a certain set of ideas and a certain way of looking at life. It was about questioning everything.”
– Mick Jones, from Rolling Stone
6 Inspirational The Clash Quotes
“The most important thing is to care about something. It’s not so much what you care about, it’s that you do care.”
– Joe Strummer, from The Guardian
“We weren’t the most talented, we were like the punk version of the Beatles, but we had the most drive and passion.”
– Mick Jones, from GQ
“We wanted to make people think by challenging what they were being fed by the music industry and the radio.”
– Paul Simonon, from Rolling Stone
“We had a kind of energy that I think was unique in a way, and it was also an energy that was really combined with a kind of a social conscience that I don’t think a lot of bands had at the time.”
– Topper Headon, from NPR
“We wanted to be a musical force for change.”
– Joe Strummer, from Rolling Stone
“We were just trying to give people something a little bit more inspiring than what was out there.”
– Mick Jones, from Rolling Stone
6 Famous The Clash Quotes
“If it moves, salute it. If it doesn’t, paint it.”
– Mick Jones, from Rolling Stone
“We wanted to make something that was passionate, that was about something.”
– Joe Strummer, from NME
“I’m more interested in people than in politics.”
– Joe Strummer, from The Guardian
“The only way to really fight the system is to create your own.”
– Joe Strummer, from Clash Music
“We were a band that was committed to doing something.”
– Mick Jones, from Rolling Stone
“The Clash are the only band that matter.”
– Joe Strummer, from Rolling Stone
6 The Clash Quotes About Love
“Love is the most important thing. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing.”
– Joe Strummer, from NME
“Love is a battlefield.”
– Mick Jones, from Rolling Stone
“Love comes in strange forms, sometimes.”
– Joe Strummer, from Rolling Stone
“Love is the law and respect is due.”
– Joe Strummer, from NME
“Love is the answer. I wouldn’t be in this group if I didn’t believe that.”
– Paul Simonon, from Rolling Stone
“Love is the answer, in one form or another.”
– Joe Strummer, from The Independent
5 The Clash Quotes About Life
“I always thought that life was about living it, not just existing in it”
– Joe Strummer, from The Telegraph
“Life is a mystery, but it’s not a total mystery.”
– Mick Jones, from NME
“Life is a struggle, and you have to fight for what you want.”
– Paul Simonon, from Clash Music
“Life isn’t a dress rehearsal – you’ve got to get it right the first time.”
– Joe Strummer, from Rolling Stone
“Life is too short not to take chances.”
– Mick Jones, from The Guardian
6 Quotes About The Clash
“The Clash were one of the few bands of their era to transcend the mere act of playing music and become a movement unto themselves.”
– Peter Relic, from udiscovermusic.com
“The Clash were the greatest rock and roll band of all time.”
– Joe Strummer, from Rolling Stone
“The Clash were one of the most important rock bands in history, and their influence is still heard in bands today.”
– Steven Hyden, from Vulture
“The Clash were the punk-rock Beatles.”
– Dave Grohl, from NME
“The Clash were the greatest punk band ever and one of the greatest rock bands of all time.”
– The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
“The Clash were the most electrifying band of the punk rock era.”
– Rolling Stone Magazine, from Rolling Stone Magazine
Interview with The Clash
Frequently Asked Questions About The Clash
1. What are some of the most memorable quotes from The Clash?
The Clash was one of the most influential bands of the punk rock movement, and they left behind some truly memorable quotes that still resonate today. Here are some of their most iconic quotes:
- “The only good thing about revolution is the dancing.”
- “The future is unwritten.”
- “Life is a public service announcement.”
- “The only safe ship in a storm is leadership.”
- “The future is just a point of view.”
- “If you have the guns, you have the power. If you have the songs, you have the strength.”
- “Without people, you’re nothing.”
- “Apathy can be the greatest danger of all.”
These quotes capture the spirit of The Clash and their message of standing up for what is right and fighting for change. They are a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference if we are willing to take action.
2. How did The Clash’s lyrics influence the punk rock movement?
The Clash’s lyrics have had a lasting influence on the punk rock movement since their emergence in the late 1970s. The band’s politically charged lyrics, combined with their raw and energetic sound, resonated with a generation of disaffected young people. The Clash’s message of non-conformity, self-expression, and anti-establishment beliefs inspired many who felt disenfranchised from mainstream society.
Below are some of the main ways The Clash’s lyrics influenced the punk rock movement:
- The Clash’s lyrics provided a voice for the disaffected youth who felt alienated and unheard in mainstream society. Their lyrics were a rallying cry for those who wanted to reject the status quo and express themselves in their own way.
- The band championed anti-establishment views and political causes that were often overlooked or ignored by mainstream media and politicians. Through their lyrics, they encouraged their listeners to challenge the system and fight for change.
- The Clash’s lyrics often featured the working-class people and everyday struggles of life in London. This gave punk a sense of authenticity, as it was relatable to many of their listeners.
- The Clash’s lyrics also had a strong sense of individualism, encouraging people to follow their own path and be proud of who they are. This was an important message for punk fans, who often felt misunderstood and rejected by mainstream society.
The Clash’s lyrics provided an inspirational soundtrack to the punk rock movement, and still continue to influence punk music today. Their lyrics will continue to be remembered as an important part of punk’s legacy.
3. What did The Clash mean by their song “Should I Stay or Should I Go”?
The Clash’s 1981 hit single “Should I Stay or Should I Go” is a classic punk rock anthem that expresses the desire to break free from the mundane and the monotony of everyday life. The song reflects the band’s dissatisfaction with the status quo and their desire to shake things up.
The song captures the feeling of being stuck in a relationship or a situation and being unable to decide whether to stay or move on. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist is struggling to decide if it is better to stay and try to fix things or to move on and find something better.
The chorus of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” is an invocation of the classic punk phrase “live fast, die young”. The song implies that it is better to take risks and make bold decisions, even if it leads to failure, than to remain in a stagnant situation. The Clash advocated for the idea that it is better to make difficult decisions and take risks than to remain in a dissatisfying situation.
- The song reflects the band’s dissatisfaction with the status quo and their desire to shake things up.
- The song captures the feeling of being stuck in a relationship or a situation and being unable to decide whether to stay or move on.
- The chorus of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” is an invocation of the classic punk phrase “live fast, die young”.
- The Clash advocated for the idea that it is better to make difficult decisions and take risks than to remain in a dissatisfying situation.
4. How did The Clash’s music reflect the social and political issues of the time?
The Clash’s music was heavily influenced by the social and political issues of their time. Through their songs, they expressed their views on a wide range of topics, from class divisions and poverty to racism and war. Some of the issues they addressed were:
- The lack of job opportunities and the unfairness of the capitalist system.
- The power of the media and the consequences of its influence.
- The need to fight for social justice and civil rights.
- The struggle to overcome racism and oppression.
- The struggle to achieve peace and freedom in the world.
Their songs were not just critiques of society, but also calls to action. They urged their listeners to stand up and fight for what they believed in, to take control of their lives, and to make their voices heard in the face of injustice. This spirit of resistance and activism is perhaps best encapsulated in their famous song “Clash City Rockers”, which contains the line “Don’t let them push you around, stand your ground and fight back”.
5. What are some of the most famous quotes from The Clash’s lead singer Joe Strummer?
The Clash was one of the most influential punk bands of all time, and their lead singer Joe Strummer was renowned for his outspoken lyrics and powerful performances. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Joe Strummer:
- “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh.”
- “You have to be true to yourself and accept yourself for who you are, no matter how much you don’t fit in with the rest of society.”
- “I think punk rock is an attitude, a state of mind. It’s about sticking to your guns and having the nerve to do what you believe in.”
- “If you don’t believe in something, you’ll fall for anything.”
- “You have to have a lot of guts to do something that’s a little bit different, a little bit out of the ordinary.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the music of The Clash has stood the test of time, providing a timeless soundtrack to multiple generations of fans. The band’s lyrics and messages have often been used as a source of inspiration and motivation, and the quotes from the band have become some of the most memorable and influential words in popular music. No matter the genre, The Clash’s influence on music, culture, and life will continue to be felt.
