The sirens' risin'
There's a distant blues dance on a crowded street
The temperature's a-risin'
Soon you're gonna be runnin' down

Those burnin' streets, come on
The century that's hardly on its feet
And the late news breaks early
Does the sun rise from the west or from the east?
An' it takes every day to be survivin' in the city

London is burnin' don't tell the Queen
Somebody tried to speak garage and they burnt down Bethnal Green
Piccadilly's yearning, like a reggae beat
Soon you're gonna be runnin' down

Those burnin' streets, come on
And you're waitin' for your flag to be unfurled
And the late news breaks early
So how should life be lived around the world?
(If London is burnin')

An' it takes every day to be survivin' in the city
Ready to face that dawn with no pity, come on!
Yeah, ah-come on (London is burnin')
Yeah, ah-come on (London is burnin')

(Soon you're gonna be run down)
(Soon you're gonna be run down)
Those burnin' streets, come on!
Does the universal cop have a beat?
And the late news breaks early
Did you ever buy that bar on Lucky Street?

An' it takes every day to be survivin' in the city
Ready to face that dawn with no pity, come on!
Yeah, ah-come on (London is burnin')
Yeah, ah-come on (London is burnin')

Too many guns in this damn town
At the supermarket, you gotta duck down
Baby flak jackets on the merry-go-round
(London is burnin')
There's too many guns in this damn town
(London is burnin')
Baby flak jackets on the merry-go-round
(London is burnin')
Too many guns in this damn town
(London is burnin')
Baby flak jackets on the merry-go-round
(London is burnin')


Lyrics submitted by azkm

Burnin' Streets Lyrics as written by Martin Paul Slattery Joe Strummer

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Bucks Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Burnin' Streets song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

3 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    Not sure when anybody will read this But I’ll have a go. This has always been one of my favorites from Streetcore, which is definitely some of Joe’s finest work. In the Mescalero years his lyrics show this wise and almost father-like attitude toward his listener. I think Joe saw how crazy the world was becoming and knew we had to get ready.

    “London is burnin’, don’t tell the Queen”, seems like a casual self-quote - an inside joke between himself and his fans. Now that he’s older the lyrics change meaning to an idea of, “Yes, it’s still burning, and it’s only getting worse because no one’s trying to put it out.”

    No one seems to know the right lyrics for the next line. I don’t believe “speak garage” means anything, so although it sounds correct I wanna find the real lyric. Right now I read the line, “Somebody tried to speak out and then they burned down Bethnal Green”

    I’ve read before that the 9/11 attacks really affected Joe and I think you can sense it here. Ramshackle Day Parade talks about the event, but Burnin’ Streets is about how culture, politics, and the whole world was changing at the time. I can’t even imagine what he’d have to say about 2018. God bless Joe Strummer.

    StayFree95on February 24, 2018   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.