Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
It's Lucy in the sky and all kinds of apple pie
She giggle[s] at the screen 'cause it looks so green
There's carpets on the pavement
And feathers in her eye
But sooner or later, her new friends will realize
That Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
She can't even look you in the eye
(Well) Well it seemed like a dream; too good to be true
Stash it in the bank while the tablets grow high
In their Millions
And everybody's high (Hi, man...)
But there's someone looking down
From that mountain side
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
[And it's] Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh yeah, alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh!
And then there came the night of the greatest ever raid
They arrested every drug that had ever been made
They took eighty-two laws
Through eighty-two doors
And they didn't halt the pull
Till the cells were all full
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
They put him in a cell, they said 'you wait here'
You got the time to count all of your hair
You got fifteen years
That's a mighty long time
You could have been a physicist
But now your name is on the mailbag list
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still...
Alive
Oh oh, alive
You're still
I said you're still
She giggle[s] at the screen 'cause it looks so green
There's carpets on the pavement
And feathers in her eye
But sooner or later, her new friends will realize
That Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
She can't even look you in the eye
(Well) Well it seemed like a dream; too good to be true
Stash it in the bank while the tablets grow high
In their Millions
And everybody's high (Hi, man...)
But there's someone looking down
From that mountain side
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
[And it's] Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh yeah, alive
Oh oh, alive
Oh!
And then there came the night of the greatest ever raid
They arrested every drug that had ever been made
They took eighty-two laws
Through eighty-two doors
And they didn't halt the pull
Till the cells were all full
'Cause Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
They put him in a cell, they said 'you wait here'
You got the time to count all of your hair
You got fifteen years
That's a mighty long time
You could have been a physicist
But now your name is on the mailbag list
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Julie's been working for the Drug Squad
Gumbo!
Ten years for you
Nineteen for you
And you can get out in twenty-five
That is if you're still...
Alive
Oh oh, alive
You're still
I said you're still
Lyrics submitted by aebassist, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad Lyrics as written by Mick Jones Joe Strummer
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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.
The Clash were making a point about how wasteful it is to put people in jail for a non-violent crime like drugs for 15 years or more. Some of the people convicted could be out contributing to society ('coulda been a physicist') but they're loicked up in prison for 'a mighty long time'. To put it mildly, they thought the laws were too harsh and that the government was wasting resources. I'm fairly certain I read that in the liner notes of a compilation CD.
I get the sense from lines like 'till the cells were all full' and the 82 business that they were also saying that the government was trying to make itself look effiecient and useful by 'cleaning up' the drug problem whereas a group like the Clash with such a strident political agenda would have thought the government should be working on changing the distribution of wealth, as well as fighting racism, instead. That much is speculation on my part, though.
From a standpoint of having not read any explanation by the Clash themselves for what this song is about, I'd say that it was both anti-government and anti-drugs. Rather then pointing out the actual physical or emotional damages that drugs can do to you, the song focused on how just having fun can later make you pay dearly, whether that punishment is just or not. I think it looks at both sides of the arguement - sure, the laws are too tough, but it's your fault too. I'm probably wrong, but maybe it'll get someone else thinking.
By the way, is it Mick who says 'Hi, there?' Good grief, he sounds like chick!
Awesome song. I think Strummer said it was inspired by a true story of a cop who went undercover to bust some addicts, and how the cop had to do drugs to gain their trust.
I think that the first line "Its Lucy in the Sky..." is a Beatles reference, from the song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Which also spells out LSD. Just thought I'd point that out. :D
I just want to point out the last line they have here should be "Drumroll", not "gumbo". Someone didn't listen to the song obviously.
I don't blame them. Joe always sound like he had a cold.
no one else likes this song? i think it's great good music, lyrics especially "AND EVERYBODY'S HIGH (HI, MAN...)"
i think julies undercover and she gets high cuz she has to or sumthing and then evry guy she worked for get put away for like 10, 15, 19 or 25 years or sumthing
Yeah it was multiple cops they its called Julies been working for the drug squad because the bust that inspired it was called operation Julie it was really powerful acid so the cops ended up getting really high.
o my gosh! none of you know! it was based on an actual drug bust that put just about 84 people in jail. julie was the name of the girl who sold out the operation.
its about operation julie, an investigation of two lsd rings in the mid 70s that broke up one of the largest lsd manufacturing operations in the world.