Well, I got a friend who's a man
What man?
The man who keeps me from the lovely
He gives me what I need
What you need? What you got?
I need it all so badly
CHORUS
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
This year I've lost some friends
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
You see, I gotta go out again
Again? My friend
I gotta see that mainman
I killed all my nerves
My nerves? What swerves?
And I can't drive so steady
I've lost my memory
My mind? Behind!
I can't see so clearly
CHORUS
What man?
The man who keeps me from the lovely
He gives me what I need
What you need? What you got?
I need it all so badly
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for and I'm so grateful to be nowhere
Some friends? What friends?
I dunno, I ain't even noticed
Again? My friend
I gotta see that mainman
My nerves? What swerves?
And I can't drive so steady
My mind? Behind!
I can't see so clearly
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
its bout drugs bein an endless road nuff said
One of Strummer's big anti-drug expressions. It's a funny song about a serious thing.
This year I've lost some friends Some friends? What friends? I dunno, I ain't even noticed
Reminds me of people that I've stopped hanging out with because they get carried away with drugs and then think that you're the one being unreasonable. Sung in 1st person, from the perspective of a user; a very confused and naive individual.
I lost a friend last year to drugs and learned this song as a tribute to him (he loved the clash and even got to meet a few of them before he died). This song really speaks to me and your description is quite apt. I stayed away from drugs (cept weed and mushrooms)and I had to drop alot of my friends not because I didn't care about them but because I cared so much I could no longer bare to sit idly by and watch while they slowly killed themselves especially after our friend's untimely death. And their reaction...
I lost a friend last year to drugs and learned this song as a tribute to him (he loved the clash and even got to meet a few of them before he died). This song really speaks to me and your description is quite apt. I stayed away from drugs (cept weed and mushrooms)and I had to drop alot of my friends not because I didn't care about them but because I cared so much I could no longer bare to sit idly by and watch while they slowly killed themselves especially after our friend's untimely death. And their reaction was the same as what you said, they argued it wasn't my place because it was their life (they really didn't understand how their problem affected the people around them) It hurt more than they can understand, sure it sucks to be addicted but the change comes from yourself, what was I to do? I couldn't change them and they wouldn't change for me. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make but Im glad I did. Anyways I just wanted to say I sympathize with you and if your situation was anything like mine I know how much you will appreciate that. I hope your friends or at least some of them came around or will one day :)
p.s I made an account just to reply to your comment
just realized your comment is 7 years old :| well heres hopin you see it :P
just realized your comment is 7 years old :| well heres hopin you see it :P
It looks like whatever he wants, he needs to pay a price. Maybe money, but not likely, possibly a service or something like that?
Yep, that's what I thought too. I think it describes the relation of a drug addict (possibly on heroin or cocaine) with his "main man", who is probably a dealer or just a person who has money and gets the substance for the first person. Still, as the song says, it's "not for free", which I think it has something to do with "services" (that can also stand for "sexual services").
Yep, that's what I thought too. I think it describes the relation of a drug addict (possibly on heroin or cocaine) with his "main man", who is probably a dealer or just a person who has money and gets the substance for the first person. Still, as the song says, it's "not for free", which I think it has something to do with "services" (that can also stand for "sexual services").
I also see the addict has some sort of regret when he says: "It's hateful... And it's paid for... and I'm...
I also see the addict has some sort of regret when he says: "It's hateful... And it's paid for... and I'm so grateful to be nowhere".
One of the greatest Clash songs, for sure.
i luv this song.... but it's not my fave by the clash
Just bought London Calling, and I think this is my favorite song on it. Reminds me of my old friend and his crystal meth period.
I think it's about drug-dealers and drugs and how they ruin people
I agree. I have always thought this song was about dealing drugs. The man is obviously the dealer and he "He gives me what I need" (drugs) "but not for free" (obviously, you have to pay.) And then "I killed all my nerves my nerves? What swerves? And I can't drive so steady" is the drugs screwing him up.
my favourite clash song
this is so depressing. it reminds of all my hopeless addictions and what ive dun to sustain them. but the clash still kick ass
At first I thought it was about people who think that they can get stuff for free because they know people (I got a friend who's the man... He gives it but not for free), but now I see what you mean. Great song, London Calling's better. My opinion.
See you at the punk show