They cried the tears, they shed the fears
Up and down the land
They stole guitars or used guitars
So the tape would understand
Without even the slightest hope of a thousand sales
Just as if there was a Hitsville in UK
Know the boy was all alone, till the Hitsville UK

They say true talent will always emerge in time
When lightening hits small wonder
It's fast rough factory trade
No expense accounts, or lunch discounts
Or hypeing up the charts
The band went in 'n' knocked 'em dead in two minutes and fifty-nine

No slimey deals, with smarmy eels, in Hitsville UK
Let's shake 'n' say we'll operate in Hitsville UK
The mutants, creeps and muscle men
Are shaking like a leaf
It blows a hole in the radio
When it hasn't sounded good all week
A mike 'n' boom, in your living room - in Hitsville UK
No consumer trials, or A.O.R. in Hitsville UK
Now the boys and girls are not alone
Now the Hitsvilles hit UK


Lyrics submitted by aebassist, edited by Mellow_Harsher, jpaulo

Hitsville UK Lyrics as written by Mick Jones Joe Strummer

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Hitsville U.K. song meanings
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    General Comment

    MHH62, the bassline and funky guitar riff sound very similar to some hit song by the Supremes... 2 years later, The Jam would have a hit (of course...) with a very close song, "A Town Called Malice". Anyway, it's an homage to 60's Motown sound (which studios in Detroit were dubbed "Hitsville, USA". Those who say they don't like this song should really listen to these delightful sounds ! About the lyrics, I think it's a tribute to the abounding music activity of late 70's UK (with this music label name-dropping), and a tribute to the do-it-yourself spirit : "They stole guitars or used guitars

    • So the tape would understand, Without even the slightest hope of a 1000 sales"
    The Dog That Ate...on March 26, 2008   Link

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