20 Protest Songs That Matter: No. 14
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (18)
--The Clash (1979)
Rebelling Against: Fascist capitalism!
The late, great social critic Joe Strummer compared the "blue and brown" suits of middle-class office drones to Nazi uniforms, and the analogies didn't stop there. "Young believers" grow into positions of authority, where they "got someone to boss around/ Makes you feel big now." If contempt was a musical quality, this song's would go to 11.
Listen to 'Clampdown'
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Reader Comments(1 of 1)
J.S.at 7-15-2007
Rich Rock Stars protesting capitalism & comparing capitalists to Nazis? Am I the onlt one who sees the flagrant hypocrasy here?
Aaronat 7-15-2007
You're calling Joe Strummer, one of our most important and extremely humble musicians of our time, a hypocritical, rich rock star? You clearly know nothing about him or his music. He and The Clash deserve any recognition they receive.
Aaronat 7-16-2007
You're calling Joe Strummer, one of our most important and extremely humble musicians of our time, a hypocritical, rich rock star? You
clearly know nothing about him or his music. He and The Clash deserve any recognition they receive.
derrickat 7-16-2007
To the first poster: That means EVERY artist is a hypocrite.
To the second: I agree with you, but you might be the same type of person who thinks Public Enemy doesn't even deserve to be in the same discussion as any of these bands. Then I would disagree.
Dandy Highwaymanat 7-15-2007
Joe Strummer isn't rich. You should at least find out about the guy before you just whoop out the old agenda machine. I'll bet you didn't even take time to listen to the song, but I'll bet you were right up with the song "We shall be free" by "Garth Brooks". Till you found out he was speaking out for liberty. Aye what?
badtown88at 7-16-2007
To echo an earlier point, when Joe Strummer died he hadn't even amassed a million dollars.
propart1969at 8-14-2007
The band signed a 10 record contract with CBS for 200,000 pounds,which explains the EPs & multi-disc albums that totaled 7 records.
Giaat 8-28-2007
Oh come on you music snob, if you want to call Joe Strummer a hypocrite for writing/singing about what he beleived in, than you can go f yourself. You obviously have no idea where The Clash came from or what was going on then.
brtat 8-30-2007
One of my all time favorites -- "The judge said five to ten but I said double that again - I'm not workin'for the clampdown"
mattat 10-20-2007
the reviewer / OP obviously doesn't know much about politics, having cited that this song rebells against so called "fascist capitalism". Better do your research there buddy, because one of the main tenets of fascist economy was a rejection of socialism and liberal capitalism. They tried to implement their ideology as an alternative to both of these established methods of economics.
Kentat 12-12-2007
I bet Joe Strummer never read "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.
Bobcatat 12-12-2007
AwwwwwwRIGHTTT!!!!! Long live Joe Strummer (even though he's no longer living)! Glad you could include this Clash classic in this list! The Clash were prophets, really speaking out against the evils of our world! Like John Kerry, Joe Strummer was a diplomat's son with a political voice/agenda.
Tomat 12-12-2007
Fascist capitalism? There is no such thing. Fascism is business under the control of government. This guy must be a retard or went to public school. Capitalists believe in FREE enterprise. You know Mr. Strummer, like the way you make money.
Johnny LaRueat 12-12-2007
Whew! Another good choice. Joe Strummer and the band The Clash were the real deal. Public Enemy was a joke (pun intended).
Jon Allenat 12-12-2007
The minute I saw this, I thought " I bet The Clash Doesn't even get a mention". EVERY song Mick/Joe wrote had meaning. Joe is my hero. A punk rock warlord, a political and lyrical genius, and a humanitarian. He Taught me more about culture and life than any school book. These moron critics dont know half of his music, life or beliefs.
Joe broke The Clash up in 1984 because they were selling out every night they played in the USA. Joe believed They had gotten too big to be real. Songs like Garageland and Career Opportunities had lost meaning when sung to a faceless crowd.So he ended it. Maybe people should read books about this amazing soul. RIP, Joe. You will always be my mentor.
Jon Allenat 12-12-2007
The Dead Kennedys have always been a favorite of mine. If you really want to be blown away, Download " Kinky Sex Makes the World Go Round" It is so scary. Jello tells it like what it is. And what it will be.
roserosewildat 12-24-2007
Re: fascist capitalism. While its true that the "fascist" regime was anti capitalist, fascism as a form of control fits the current form of capitalism in this country, where the government is run by the "owners", ie: government and big business are controlled by the same hands. Also because of the nature of capitalism to be hegemonic, it has fascistic qualities.