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.
Interrupting all programs
This is radio clash from pirate satellite
Orbiting your living room,
Cashing in the bill of rights
Cuban army surplus or refusing all third lights
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
This sound does not subscribe
To the international plan
In the psycho shadow of the white right hand
Then that see ghettology as an urban Vietnam
Giving deadly exhibitions of murder by napalm
This is radio clash tearing up the seven veils
This is radio clash please save us, not the whales
This is radio clash underneath a mushroom cloud
This is radio clash
You don't need that funeral shroud
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
Hands of law have sorted through
My identity
But now this sound is brave
And wants to be free, anyway to be free
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
This is not free europe
Noh an armed force network
This is radio clash using audio ammunition
This is radio clash can we get that world to listen?
This is radio clash using aural ammunition
This is radio clash can we get that world to listen?
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
Orbiting your living room,
Cashing in the bill of rights
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
This is radio clash everybody hold on tight
A-riggy diggy dig dang dang
Go back to urban 'nam
This is radio clash from pirate satellite
Orbiting your living room,
Cashing in the bill of rights
Cuban army surplus or refusing all third lights
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
This sound does not subscribe
To the international plan
In the psycho shadow of the white right hand
Then that see ghettology as an urban Vietnam
Giving deadly exhibitions of murder by napalm
This is radio clash tearing up the seven veils
This is radio clash please save us, not the whales
This is radio clash underneath a mushroom cloud
This is radio clash
You don't need that funeral shroud
Forces have been looting
My humanity
Curfews have been curbing
The end of liberty
Hands of law have sorted through
My identity
But now this sound is brave
And wants to be free, anyway to be free
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
This is not free europe
Noh an armed force network
This is radio clash using audio ammunition
This is radio clash can we get that world to listen?
This is radio clash using aural ammunition
This is radio clash can we get that world to listen?
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
Orbiting your living room,
Cashing in the bill of rights
This is radio clash on pirate satellite
This is radio clash everybody hold on tight
A-riggy diggy dig dang dang
Go back to urban 'nam
Lyrics submitted by aebassist, edited by randy14801
This Is Radio Clash/Radio Clash Lyrics as written by Mick Jones Joe Strummer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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you stupid fuck the lyrics are all wrong.
Bunny you're the stupid fuck, listen to the version of "This is Radio Clash" on the Essential Clash you'll notice that these lyrics are to that version
Umm, redeyed, I'm afraid Bunny may be right, I'm listening to it right now. They mention Vietnam in the one I'm listening too, and to back it up they mention napalm, so yeah... Maybe there's different versions of this song, I don't know. You're both right.
redeyed is right there ARE two versions to the song so yeah Bunny is a stupid fuck. If they were a fan they'd know. Radio Clash is from the Essential Clash album. youtube.com/watch Just listen to it there.
If you were a true Clash fan and understood what The Clash were about you wouldn't call someone a stupid fuck over such a trivial matter, nor would you believe that true fanhood comes from simply factual knowledge.<br /> <br /> But yes, this is the correct lyrics to Radio Clash. I believe Bunny had been listening to This is Radio Clash, which does indeed mention napalm and Vietnam.
@Transistor the lyrics are wrong to the version you linked to, and obviously so. I have the original 4-part 12 inch, which contains the same "Radio Clash", "This is Radio Clash", Outside Broadcast," and "Radio Five"<br /> Here are the particulars:<br /> <br /> "Wait, wait<br /> Don't switch off the death<br /> Yes, we have the latest score<br /> (????) Islanders: 101 and Home Yard: 44"<br /> Should read:<br /> "Wait, wait<br /> Don't switch over to death<br /> Yes, we have the latest score<br /> Rebel Islanders: 101 and Home Yard: 44"<br /> <br /> "Like buckets of venom in (????)<br /> They've got a master plan<br /> Human wars over there<br /> And we'll come and knock 'em down"<br /> Should read:<br /> "Like buckets of venom in Khaki<br /> They've got a master plan<br /> You build walls over there<br /> And we'll come and knock 'em down" (seriously, the other version makes absolutely no sense)<br /> "This is Radio Clash<br /> Stealing information<br /> By his will as a (???)<br /> Use careful confirmation"<br /> this time, just replacing the ???:<br /> "By his will as a pestilence"<br /> <br /> Listen to the sample, you will hear that I am correct<br /> <br /> youtu.be/szlWof8MIeM
This is Radio Clash And we count your thoughts ==> should be anger turns to thoughts When lightning splits the sky in half Sharper than a sword
that was in the video, and I agree