My Top Ten Clash Songs: (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais (#4)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86949)
United States
October 8, 2016 8:01pm CST
I just posted a discussion about one of my favorite "girl" songs, a 1934 Delmore Brothers song. For my next trick, I won't need a volunteer (unlike the Warren Zevon song), but I'll switch gears completely to the legendary punk band the Clash. Here's the next song in my countdown of my ten favorite songs by the Clash.
#4: (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
I guess the reason I love this song so much is I really identify with the theme. The song is about Joe Strummer's dissatisfaction with a "reggae" show he went to that turned out to be pop acts watering down reggae to make it mainstream or commercial. Gee, how many times have I said that about country music?
He didn't stop with the reggae, going on to blast the pop acts who jumped on the punk bandwagon as acts "too busy fighting for a good place under the lighting" and "turning rebellion into money." And, he also blasted politicians who'd "send a limousine" to pick up Hitler.
Angry young men make fabulous song.
(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
Written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones
From The Clash, 1978
Only lookin' for fun:
A bunch of clips from Westway to the World set to "White Man (In Hammersmith Palais)"
4 people like this
5 responses
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
9 Oct 16
Always a treat! I love how Joe could blast three or four topics in one song.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Oct 16
That's fabulous live footage. And why doesn't Joe tell us what he really thinks lol.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (53005)
• Mojave, California
9 Oct 16
That is a neat one in all aspects in my opinion.
1 person likes this
