OPO/POO: the Clash

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Furthering the OPO/POO fervor (have we decided which we're sticking with? Are people afraid that "POO" is a scatalogical allusion?), I present thee with ye olde toothless, mouthy punkahs, THE CLASH. Pick but one of their tracks. After some consideration, while I know it'd be seen as slap in the face to Sir Joseph of Strummer's estimable songwriting prowess, I really must go with their cover of "Police On My Back" from SANDINISTA! (the original written by Eddie "Electric Avenue" Grant, I believe...though I've never heard it) for its incessant police-siren-mimicing guitars. Brilliant. Runner-up: "Complete Control."

― Alex in NYC, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Let new answers rain down like redemption on a cursed earth.

― Alex in NYC, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

complete control, their most powerful song by a good measure. it has fury, fast guitars and a big ending.

― keith, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Someone wrote on another thread why "Straight to Hell" is the only song of theirs that isn't empty politically (because of the music, natch).

Consequently, I don't give a damn about the politics, coz I think it sounds neat.

― Keiko, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

mark s. away from thread!

I'll take the easy route: "London Calling". Manages to be both jauntily bouncy and unsettlingly menacing, the opening notes always give me chills, and it's name-dropped fairly often during MST3K.

― Nate Patrin, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The latter point does in fact suggest one of the few good things the Clash has ever been associated with. ;-)

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Career Opportunities" No reason, just one of many favorites.

― Tim DiGravina, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

heh! "this is england" obv

― mark s, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I'm rolling with "Complete Control", as well, with "Safe European Home" a runner-up. They sure had some fine, anthemic tunes.

― Matt Riedl, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

One More Time - with White Man in Hammy Palais as a runner up.

― Dr. C, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

gotta go with "White Man in Hammersmith Palais"--reggae-punk not punk- reggae (stay out of it mark s), meaning its skank seethes with tight- wound fury instead of insinuating dread (no pun intended). I also think the shift from Strummer's totally convincing laugh on "Burton suits" to his totally convincing about-face (that surly, "Huh! You think it's funny!") is one of the greatest vocal moments ever

― M Matos, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"complete control", no frickin contest.

― justin, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Bank Robber". An easy one for me, coz it's thee only one ov their numbers I think is any good @ all.

― Norman Phay, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Lost in the Supermarket.

― Ally, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What's WRONG with you people? "TRAIN IN VAIN!" !!

― Sean Carruthers, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Guns of Brixton"...cos its got a great bassline and lots of cartoony boing! sounds.

― Michael Bourke, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"The Right Profile"

"that's Montgomery Clift, honey!"

― Arthur, Sunday, 23 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Straight to Hell". (Glib crit alert - "That's where I'd send the rest of their repertoire!" And all of you. And what the 'hell', me too.) No, I genuinely like it. I like "Death is a Star" too. I used to really love "Red Angel Dragnet" but then I realized I just liked the euphonious sway of syllables in the title.

btw I like "Train in Vain" too

― dave q, Monday, 24 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Spanish Bombs.

Oi!

― JM, Monday, 24 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

rock the casbah. 'cos of the armadillo

― electric sound of jim, Monday, 24 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Second vote for This Is England - the last true punk record.

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 24 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Train In Vain"

― Tom, Monday, 24 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"janie jones". i don't care if i never hear it again tho.

― unknown or illegal user, Wednesday, 26 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

six years pass...

The Guns of Brixton

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:04 (seventeen years ago)

funny, i always seem to prefer their covers: i fought the law, brand new cadillac, police and thieves, revolution rock.
of their own songs, Safe European Home, or maybe Armigideon Time (that one may also be a cover though).

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:11 (seventeen years ago)

Either "White Man" or "Spanish Bombs" depending.

― Me and Ruth Lorenzo, Rollin' in the Benzo (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:13 (seventeen years ago)

Noodle! Get your fucking butt on AIM right now, shame on you.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:27 (seventeen years ago)

I'm on Nom's work laptop and it doesn't have AIM on it. I'll probly be on later. D'you get my email?

― Me and Ruth Lorenzo, Rollin' in the Benzo (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:29 (seventeen years ago)

Yes I did but you better respond or I'm gonna HOUND YOUR ASS. I don't get to talk about Fra Lippo Lippi with folks JUST EVERY DAY.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:32 (seventeen years ago)

I mean it. I'll tell Michael Gira to come to your house and stir up shit. You better be good to me.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:32 (seventeen years ago)

Okay I consider myself warned.

― Me and Ruth Lorenzo, Rollin' in the Benzo (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:33 (seventeen years ago)

Lovely!!!!!

Most of ILXors can't even hold a candle to you, Noodle. I raise a glass for you.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than You, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:35 (seventeen years ago)

Janie Jones.

― Sven Hassel Schmuck, Saturday, 6 December 2008 22:41 (seventeen years ago)

Rudie Can't Fail

― nicky lo-fi, Sunday, 7 December 2008 07:03 (seventeen years ago)

Complete Control

― kornrulez6969, Sunday, 7 December 2008 15:57 (seventeen years ago)

i like "the right profile".

― Shacknasty (Frogman Henry), Sunday, 7 December 2008 16:02 (seventeen years ago)

Yes, "Armagideon Time" is also a cover.

― rox qua rox (roxymuzak), Sunday, 7 December 2008 16:04 (seventeen years ago)

Complete Control
― kornrulez6969, Sunday, 7 December 2008 15:57

I can go with this

― I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO (Colonel Poo), Sunday, 7 December 2008 16:16 (seventeen years ago)

"Broadway" with Guns of Brixton coda

― WmC, Sunday, 7 December 2008 16:29 (seventeen years ago)

Rock the Casbah easy

― Niles Caulder, Sunday, 7 December 2008 16:47 (seventeen years ago)

two weeks pass...

STRAIGHT TO HELL BOYS

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Sunday, 21 December 2008 22:42 (seventeen years ago)

We all know what the best Clash song is, do we not?

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Sunday, 21 December 2008 22:44 (seventeen years ago)

why am i the only person who loves "remote control"?

― suggesteban loaiza (k3vin k.), Sunday, 21 December 2008 23:00 (seventeen years ago)

The whole of the first album is brilliant, but its gotta be "Janie Jones", unless you aren't in love with the Rock'N'Roll world.

― Soukesian, Sunday, 21 December 2008 23:59 (seventeen years ago)

i love "remote control", but "straight to hell" is my favorite clash song

― rox qua rox (roxymuzak), Monday, 22 December 2008 03:43 (seventeen years ago)

Yes!!! Another vote for Straight to Hell. I have a good friend who loves goth rock to death and sometimes when he comes over to my house he will sing in a low voice "It ain't coca cola, it's rice".

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 03:51 (seventeen years ago)

Imagine Peter Murphy singing that.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 03:51 (seventeen years ago)

I've always kinda liked the rising-from-the-depths-for-one-more-try vibe of "This is England."

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 22 December 2008 03:51 (seventeen years ago)

I don't know that one. I'd imagine it's one of their early punk numbers? I'll look into it. I wasn't crazy about their early punk days at all.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 04:02 (seventeen years ago)

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 04:07 (seventeen years ago)

No -- it's their last hit: Strummer and three nobodies.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 22 December 2008 04:08 (seventeen years ago)

Sigh. I'll have to look it up on YOu Tube.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 04:11 (seventeen years ago)

Oh shit, Edge of Seventeen just came on my iPod. Oh shit. Oh shit.

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 04:12 (seventeen years ago)

― Bimble Is Still More Goth Than Your MIDNITE POWERTOOLS (Bimble), Monday, 22 December 2008 04:16 (seventeen years ago)

but its gotta be "Janie Jones",

That's way up there. But Complete Control is hard to top.

― kornrulez6969, Monday, 22 December 2008 05:44 (seventeen years ago)

but its gotta be "Janie Jones",

That's way up there. But Remote ~~Complete~~ Control is hard to top.

― kornrulez6969, Monday, December 22, 2008 12:44 AM (1 hour ago)

agreed

― Worthless as Hen Poo on a Pump Handle (k3vin k.), Monday, 22 December 2008 06:54 (seventeen years ago)

That one that goes da-dada-da-dada-got-a-feelin-inside-can't-explain

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Monday, 22 December 2008 07:24 (seventeen years ago)

And frankly, I don't know what Peter Murphy has to do with the Clash or with music.

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Monday, 22 December 2008 07:26 (seventeen years ago)

Wanna say Straight to Hell. But what about Rebel Waltz, Lose This Skin, Complete Control, English Civil War, Gates of the West? I dunno, I guess I'm okay with Straight to Hell.

― Bored American Aerospace Defense Command (BORAD) (contenderizer), Monday, 22 December 2008 07:56 (seventeen years ago)

Shepherd's Delight.

― Mark G, Monday, 22 December 2008 08:05 (seventeen years ago)

<3 rebel waltz

but it's hard to top straight to hell and white man in hammersmith palais

― dugong.jpg (jabba hands), Monday, 22 December 2008 08:25 (seventeen years ago)

rudie can't fail

― dan138zig (Durrr Durrr Durrrrrr), Monday, 22 December 2008 09:14 (seventeen years ago)

The Call Up

Most underrated thing they did.

― Discordian, Monday, 22 December 2008 12:37 (seventeen years ago)

If "Lose This Skin" is your favorite Clash song, you are a really weird person.

― rox qua rox (roxymuzak), Monday, 22 December 2008 17:42 (seventeen years ago)

If "Lose This Skin" is your favorite Clash song, you are a really weird person.
-- roxymuzak

Love the song, less so now than way back when, but love is love. It's one of my favorite songs period. Kind of corny, weirdly beautiful, has a quality of agonized yearning that I'm a sucker for and that doesn't exist so explicitly anywhere else in the Clash's catalog. Plus I love propulsive violin drones in general.

― Bored American Aerospace Defense Command (BORAD) (contenderizer), Monday, 22 December 2008 20:42 (seventeen years ago)

shit, I forgot the call up. Yes, me too for that one.

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Monday, 22 December 2008 22:24 (seventeen years ago)

This thread is worth a POX with actual vote tabulations.

― WmC, Monday, 22 December 2008 22:27 (seventeen years ago)

one year passes...

"police & thieves" d-_-b

― dark side of the goon (The Reverend), Sunday, 14 November 2010 09:22 (fifteen years ago)

So far short of Junior Murvin's verzh

― Haile Shirleebassee (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 14 November 2010 09:31 (fifteen years ago)

"i'm so bored with the u.s.a."

"bank robber"

― HOOS tremendo...steen ridically (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:07 (fifteen years ago)

Spangly Bombs or White Dude in Hampton Court Palace

― Insane in our current record-selling climate (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:10 (fifteen years ago)

NOODLE VAG JUNIOR MURVIN VERSION IS DOPE BUT FUCK U GET OUT OF THIS THREAD

― dark side of the goon (The Reverend), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:19 (fifteen years ago)

hey sorry i moninated my own choices

― Insane in our current record-selling climate (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:20 (fifteen years ago)

FLYING IN ON A DC10 TONITE

― Insane in our current record-selling climate (Noodle Vague), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:20 (fifteen years ago)

moninated sounds like a thats_racist.gif for the process a ragga remix goes through

― HOOS tremendo...steen ridically (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:21 (fifteen years ago)

monimated? you don't be making sense

― dark side of the goon (The Reverend), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:25 (fifteen years ago)

sorry i moninated my own choices
― Insane in our current record-selling climate (Noodle Vague), Sunday, November 14, 2010 10:20 AM (15 minutes ago) Bookmark

boom

― HOOS tremendo...steen ridically (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Sunday, 14 November 2010 10:36 (fifteen years ago)

word i was talking to noodles

― dark side of the goon (The Reverend), Sunday, 14 November 2010 11:36 (fifteen years ago)

"(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais"

Runner-up: "Lost in the Supermarket"

― Wally P. Doyle, Monday, 15 November 2010 03:15 (fifteen years ago)

Stay Free

― ρεμπετις, Monday, 15 November 2010 04:11 (fifteen years ago)

two years pass...

http://img23.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=68716_booklet_122_687lo.jpg

― I Am the Cosimo Code (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 8 September 2013 00:37 (thirteen years ago)

http://img23.imagevenue.com/loc687/th_68716_booklet_122_687lo.jpg

― I Am the Cosimo Code (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 8 September 2013 00:41 (thirteen years ago)

Click slowly and see

― I Am the Cosimo Code (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 8 September 2013 00:45 (thirteen years ago)

SPANISH BOMBS:
This song was written in seat 18B of a Brannif Airlines DC10--the Spanish is Clash Spannish and it means--"I love you and goodbye! I want you but--oh my aching heart!" Induced by those grapes of wrath.
-Joe

― I Am the Cosimo Code (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 8 September 2013 00:56 (thirteen years ago)

Awwwww. Simon Reynolds and others would snear, but musically its great. Was just listening to that song the other day

― curmudgeon, Monday, 9 September 2013 14:12 (thirteen years ago)

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