Forgotten Songs of the '80s: The Clash

Forgotten Songs of the ‘80s: The Clash

The Clash were one of the best punk bands of all time, everyone knows this. But around 1980, the band began taking several detours, sound wise, some were successful and some were not. One of their best detours was dub/reggae, which peaked with the single release of “Bankrobber.”

The song begins with a slower than usual Clash intro with the band playing as one and getting a groove going right off the bat. Then Joe Strummer comes in with incredibly melodic lyrics about his daddy being a bankrobber. The song is without a doubt, one of the best Clash songs ever. But as always, it’s the combination of Strummer’s vocals and lyrics and the power and strength of Paul Simonon, Mick Jones and Topper Headon. By keeping locked in the groove and not swaying in any way, the band were able to make the song more memorable. The song’s direct message and almost swaying, reggae beat set it apart from other Clash songs but again, that’s what made the band so damn special.

Although the song was only released as a single, it’s influence has grown over the years. But unfortunately it’s not as well known as “London Calling” and “Rock the Casbah” and that’s something that needs to change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttJBdr6eBuo&ob=av2n

Comments

  1. Big Bad Bald BastardOctober 27, 2010 at 5:31 PM

    As much as I love Joe Strummer, I had to laugh when I read (probably in England's Dreaming) of a wag telling him, "No, your dad was a diplomat in the foreign service."

    Great song.

    ReplyDelete

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