Joe Strummer said the song was about his fears of the rise of the far right in England, as at the time the Clash were popular, the National Front were becoming worryingly strong... I always interpreted the "nobody understands it could happen again" bit as referring to the rise of a right-wing dictatorship in European countries (eg Nazi Germany) - and the refrence to hiding radios under the stairs and the "new party army" seem to back this up. Great song though, the tune is perfect and creates an air of an ominous militant build-up.
Joe Strummer said the song was about his fears of the rise of the far right in England, as at the time the Clash were popular, the National Front were becoming worryingly strong... I always interpreted the "nobody understands it could happen again" bit as referring to the rise of a right-wing dictatorship in European countries (eg Nazi Germany) - and the refrence to hiding radios under the stairs and the "new party army" seem to back this up. Great song though, the tune is perfect and creates an air of an ominous militant build-up.