This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
In 1977 I hope I go to heaven
'Cause I been too long on the dole
And I can't work at all
Danger stranger
You better paint your face
No Elvis, Beatles, or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
In 1977
Knives in West 11
Ain't so lucky to be rich
Sten guns in Knightsbridge
Danger stranger
You better paint your face
No Elvis, Beatles, or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
In 1977
You're on the never never
You think it can't go on forever
But the papers say it's better
I don't care 'cause I'm not all there
No Elvis, Beatles, or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
Sod the Jubilee
In 1978
In 1979
Stayed in bed
In 1980
In 1981
The toilet don't work
In 1982
In 1983
Here come the police
In 1984
'Cause I been too long on the dole
And I can't work at all
Danger stranger
You better paint your face
No Elvis, Beatles, or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
In 1977
Knives in West 11
Ain't so lucky to be rich
Sten guns in Knightsbridge
Danger stranger
You better paint your face
No Elvis, Beatles, or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
In 1977
You're on the never never
You think it can't go on forever
But the papers say it's better
I don't care 'cause I'm not all there
No Elvis, Beatles, or The Rolling Stones
In 1977
Sod the Jubilee
In 1978
In 1979
Stayed in bed
In 1980
In 1981
The toilet don't work
In 1982
In 1983
Here come the police
In 1984
Lyrics submitted by SexieSadie
1977 Lyrics as written by Mick Jones Joe Strummer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The title seems to refer to the song titles of The Stooges' songs 1969 and 1970. Also, the term ''danger stranger'' goes back to Iggy & The Stooges' Gimme Danger.
The song doesn't seem to be about The Beatles, The Stones or Elvis. Elvis wasn't dead yet, and The Stones were still rockin'. The problem was that the youth couldnt't relate to the music they made at that point. Elvis and the Stones were decadent superstars in those years.
It's often overlooked that Strummer had previously been playing a lot of covers in his retro pub band the 101ers. "No Elvis, Beatles or the Rolling Stones" may be partly a reference to him now starting again with something new and original. That and punk posturing!
Times are changing
Nice Orwell reference at the end.
strummer was hugely influenced by orwell if orwell had been born 50 yrs later and had picked up a gtr instead of a pen he would have written
somtehing about englandinteresting how elvis is mentioned, since elvis died in 77.
I think it was more referring to his lack of activity recording, not a fan of his so just guesswork on this but think at the time he's not have recorded for a few years and would have been spending most of his time working in Vegas.
the song's not about celebrating the death of Elvis, but the irrelevance of every rock act that came before the Clash and the punk wave of 77. Considering the stylistic expansiveness of the band's future discography, these lyrics weren't 100% earnest; as such they stand almost completely alone among Clash songs.
written in 77 but still relavent today the feeling that all hope is lost and u hate your life and whats around u love the clash!!!!!!
Actually, this song was written and first performed in 1976, which, as you may note, was before Elvis death. <br /> <br /> The lyrics aren't so much about dismissing all previous rock acts, as acknowledging that fact that none of them held any relevance to young people at the time. The punk generation simply couldn't relate to them or their songs.
Great song, for sure about how get over the old and go in with the new punk wave. And yeah, still fits today, least to me.
A statement about the convoluted world of the UK in the 70s. More Orwellian than anything else. Beatles, Stones & Elvis were rendered useless by the less than ideal subsistence of the U.K. youth and terrible economy. The song is an alarm to wake up and retake control of your own life. Better paint your face means that color doesn't matter - that all youth are in the same boat. That no neighborhoods - no matter how exclusive (Knightsbrige) would be immune from violence.
One of the best songs from their early days.
Always liked the “1984” ending to reference Orwell. Also interesting that the song’s sudden ending at 1984 -sorta- predicts the end of the band’s career