London's Burning Lyrics

Lyric discussion by sx 

Cover art for London's Burning lyrics by Clash, The

999 is the British version of 911. I think the correct lyric is: London's burning with boredom now London's burning, dial ni-ni-999

London's "burning" means the city is all lit up by traffic (headlights and streetlights) and televisions. People are driving around or watching television but there is no real purpose in their lives ("I can't think of a better way to spend the night"). This is viewed as a cultural emergengy (dial ni-ni-999).

Song Meaning