White Riot Lyrics
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.
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.
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.
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.
it says people are too frightened to fight after the education they've received?
anyway...
Nonetheless, it's an awesome song.
rawrr
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.
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.
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...
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