THE CLASH – Legendary Debut Single ‘WHITE RIOT’ Released 40 Years Ago…
When timeless in sound and vision…
‘White Riot’ by THE CLASH
Forty years ago – on 18 March 1977 – the legendary THE CLASH released their debut single WHITE RIOT. A clamorous, angry and timeless punk anthem. This dynamite outburst was inspired by heavy riots in late August 1976 in London’s Notting Hill Gate
area involving Jamaican residents and the police after continuous tensions due to racist policing. Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon were present that day and participated in the fights as they sympathized with the black locals’ cause. With ‘White Riot‘ the late, great Strummer wanted to encourage also white people who felt abused and oppressed by
the government to come out and protest. This furious 7″ started a long, turbulent and successful journey for the last gang in town that mattered. C’mon, let’s scream at the top
of our lungs…
White riot – I want to riot
White riot – a riot of my own
White riot – I want to riot
White riot – a riot of my own
Black people gotta lot a problems
But they don’t mind throwing a brick
White people go to school
Where they teach you how to be thick
An’ everybody’s doing
Just what they’re told to
An’ 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?
