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White Riot Lyrics

White riot - I want a riot
White riot - a riot of my own
White riot - I want a riot
White riot - a riot of my own

Black people got a lot a problems
But they don't mind throwing a brick
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick

And everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
And nobody wants
To go to jail!

All the power's in the hands
Of people rich enough to buy it
While we walk the street
Too chicken to even try it

Everybody's doing
Just what they're told to
Nobody wants
To go to jail!

Are you taking over
Or are you taking orders?
Are you going backwards
Or are you going forwards?
Song Info
Copyright
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer
Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Duration
1:56
Producer
Micky Foote
Release date
Mar 18, 1977
Sentiment
Positive
Submitted by
aebassist On Jan 04, 2002
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46 Meanings

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Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

I read on article on this song, and basically the song is about Strummer's participation in a riot at the Notting Hill carnival in 1976. The blacks were rioting at police oppression and Strummer was rebelling against authority. He realised during the carnage that he was wrong to join in "their" battle.

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

The Sex Pistols thought that clash was racists just because of the words "WHITE riot" But the song isn't any racist song, it's just about that they were the only white men in a riot! So if anyone of you are that dumb that you think clash are racists you should think again!

I don't think the Pistols ever said this. John Lydon criticised the Clash for doing a reggae cover because he thought this was patronising to Jamaican reggae artists(a whole other debate!), but there wasn't an issue over this song. I think one student union banned the Clash from playing because they thought White riot was racist, but most people understood the point of the song.

Not Valid
Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

The Clash are simply commenting on how only black people are willing to fight the cops and resist tyrranny.

Only when you have nothing to lose, can you give yourself completely.

White people had a lot to lose by fighting back.

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

it says people are too frightened to fight after the education they've received?

anyway...

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

Nonetheless, it's an awesome song.

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

rawrr

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

The song urged young white men to take political action, just as their black counterparts were doing.

Nothing racist, just telling 'em to get of their arses.

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

I think Joe was trying to say (this is england 76 remmebr) White have to Riot Also to cause change And they did while under the Iron Lady. She was a rough rider.

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

People thin the clash was racist? This song, along with White Man in Hammersmith Palais, are anti-racist. The Clash was very anti raceism and played in many concerts raising attention to it...

Cover art for White Riot lyrics by Clash, The

I had the US/Canada released album/cd not the import.

It included the great lines:

Are you taking orders or are you taking over? Are you going backward or are you going forward?

Strummer really knew how to hit the political themes and stir up rebellion