Clash, The - Somebody Got Murdered Lyrics

48 people (as of 1/9/2020) have chosen to "dislike" this epic jam? I truly feel sorry for you bastards. Have fun spending the rest of your miserable lives not appreciating good music, you wankers.

Best song from the album

0:27 to 0:40 are so epic

Some body got murdered in my neighborhood today.

Sandanista! Was the first album I bought with my own money. 1982. I was 11 and clueless. I always tell people the college kid behind the counter looked at me like my whole life was about to change.

This song has such a wistful sound to it.Love it.

Never noticed it before... but these lyrics are MORE DEPRESSING than anything by Joy Division or Nirvana!

Mick's considerable genius on display, with ol' Johnny Mellor bringing up the rear guard. Fucking GREAT.

This is my favourite Clash song.

40 years later and this is STILL making me cry

I think Mi k meant a lot more than Joe said.

what a great song

For those who don't know, there's an interesting backstory to this song. In early 1980, Joe Strummer was approached by composer Jack Nitzsche, who was assembling the soundtrack and score for the movie _Cruising,_ directed by William Freidkin and starring Al Pacino in the lead role. Nitzsche asked Joe to provide a heavy rock song for the soundtrack, but Joe was having trouble at first and decided to wait until the next day. When Joe arrived back at his flat in London that evening, he learned that a parking attendant in the area had been stabbed to death in an argument over £5 (about $7 U.S.) While the resulting song here wasn't used in the movie, Joe was inspired by the incident and had much of the lyrics written the next day. Let's break them down:

"Someone lights a cigarette
While riding in a car
Some old guy takes a swig
And passes back the jar
But where they were last night
No-one can remember
Somebody got murdered
Goodbye for keeps forever"
The first verse suggests that two people – a smoker in a car and an old man sharing a drink with someone else – the narrator encounters could be suspects in the attendant's murder but because no one – the police, any witnesses to the murder or the narrator himself – knows where they were at the time of the murder the night before, their potential involvement cannot be confirmed or denied.

"And you're minding your own business
Carrying spare change
You wouldn't cosh a barber
You're hungry all the same
I've been very tempted
To grab it from the till
I've been very hungry
But not enough to kill"
The second verse suggests that most people minding their own business must not have a lot of money on them at all times – including at the time of the murder – and while they wouldn't cosh (rob) their barber, they're likely struggling financially and might be desperate for money. But while they might be desperate enough to attempt a robbery, they're not desperate enough to kill anyone over money.

"Somebody got murdered
His name cannot be found
A small stain on the pavement
They'll scrub it off the ground
As the daily crown disperses
No-one says that much
Somebody got murdered
And it' left me with a touch"
The third verse here says that the name of the killer cannot be found – a lot like Jack the Ripper's true name – and Joe makes clear that he feels like the police cleaned any blood stains up too quickly, assuming the blood was the victim's, but not know if it could actually be the killer's. Meanwhile, as the rest of the crowd goes about their usual daily routine of work or school, they let the news of the murder blow ever their heads while it's left the narrator with a touch likely of worry; he's thinking perhaps there could be a serial killer on the loose. Or that he feels for the victim's family for losing their father/son/brother etc.
All in all, _Somebody Got Murdered_ here demonstrates that songwriting inspiration can just pop up out of nowhere when you least expect it. The murder of a parking attendant inspired Joe Strummer to write one of the best Clash songs ever, even though its inspiration was tragic and scary. As far as I know, the attendant's murderer wasn't identified or caught and that suggests the murderer could still be alive today, looking for more victims.

Thanks my man

MichaelD8393 What a great post! You know, I’m in my mid-sixties; bought this album as soon as it was released, and other than a couple of songs, haven’t listened to it much in years. Something put this song in my head tonight, so I decided to revisit it, and your post just happened to accompany it. Perfect! Seriously, that’s some wallpaper worth reading. Thank you. I’m now committed to learning this song. My son and I are gonna tear this one UP! 😎

I hadn't thought of this song for years, but when Jodie Chesney was murdered last Friday, it came back to me. I'd like to dedicate it to the memory of Jodie Chesney and Youssef Makki, both 17, both with bright futures, both murdered at the weekend and both dead forever.

I toured a couple of times with the clash in supporting role and know that Joe would like what you wrote for the two slain teenagers in this messed up world , here's to their memory and to a way to stop the violence and idiocy caused by inequality and hate

Thanks, Soapy. Let's raise a glass to all three: Jodie, Youssef and Joe. May their names live forever.@soapy3204

This track has every bell & whistle..pure love for this gem.😍

I was blessed enough to live during the 80’s. There were many bands that defined the era; The Clash (in its heyday) was right at the top of the list. In my mind, they epitomized the essence of punk - speaking truth through music, without regard for accepted political/cultural norms. Brutal honesty, channeled brilliantly through music. These lads were/are iconic.

Somebody got murdered innit

love this !

Despite long time from late 1980 this music never stop amazing my ears

The start has been ruined, live it's much better!

It was a time..it was a place... Saw every band in that time..but the clash was that place.. this song still gives me the chills and im fucking 60

The only band that matters

51 covers of Guns of Brixton in 7 minutes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaH4Z3c1ks

Absolutely Brilliant. BEST BAND IN THE WORLD .

Thumbs down? Idiots..classic tune..

one of the best clash songs ever...

fuckin amazing clash song....

A great song inspired by a robbery, during which a parking lot attendant was killed for two pounds.

I remember when I was like 7 I would sing this ALL THE TIME, it kinda freaked out my parents but it's AMAZING!!

Some.Body. Got Muuurdered! Some.Body. is gone FooorEveeeer!

Wow I keep on saying another great one, another great one another great one

THE CLASH CITY ROCKERS!!!! JOE STRUMMER FOR EVER!!!!!

I remember havin clash concerts in my bedroom , everyone goin nuts , ha ha never forget it , monty mikey barry zenga johnny colm ,

best of the best

I was given this on a mixtape by a friend + only listened to it on headphones the whistle at the start used to fascinate me + when I said to him listen to this carefully there's an unusual whistle sound on it he hadn't noticed it.

My fave from Sandinista...Mick was the music man, Joe the man with something to say, Paul was the image and Topper the true musician

@ C...you got that right, what a band they were...i was very lucky to have seen the london calling tour early 80...motor city roller rink, detroit, changed my life very much for the better. i bought a gtr the next day and never looked back. :)

im hungry but not enough to kill

When all is said and done, The Clash remain as giants of 20th century Rock'n Roll.

👍😢

Fuck the Nazis/Trumpers advocating and actually committing murder on 8/12/17

Puta mare que tema tan entrañable me hace escarapelarme! Gracias The Clash!

B.A.D. needs to do this for encores live... its Mick lead vocs.... co-written

done from the heart as were all the CLASH releases ,,, this stands out

B.A.D. starting to take over..

absolutely love mick's voice. it has so much power but it's so soft and delicate.

If I had to burn all my music collection save a few selected tracks, this one would be one of the chosen ones.

In my top 25 favourite songs of all time for sure.

They formed in the late 70's, but gained most of their notoriety in the 80's, the decade they are most strongly associated with.

really?

awesome....clash forever

one of best clash songs ever

cryuff1a yuupp👹

One of the best songs ever. Not just by the Clash.

agreed but i do find myself saying that about most of their songs.

love the Clash

Sounds kind of like something that would come from "Give 'Em Enough Rope"

Police On My Back WAS from that era, but was only released on some obscure EP, so they decided to add it to Sandinista.

Obscure EP ? The only EP they did was The Cost Of Living which was actually a double single -I Fought The Law /Groovy Times/Gates To The West/Capital Radio.

+electricleg it was on some comp with other bands too I believe

I have an EP with songs from London Calling, the cover photo however is the one from Combat Rock,
On CBS.

@ Eric Lamar yeah that's not true at all

These lads, along with Midnight Oil, were the two 80's bands most adept at expressing their sociopolitical views through their music. In my view, THAT captures the essence of true artistry.

Lev Mitchell I neglected to mention the Dead Kennedys.

Don't forget The Clash were a 70s band first and foremost

Chris Jones I disagree, the Clash really were an 80s band. London Calling, although released in 1979, feels like an 80s album. Combat Rock and Sandinista is undeniably 80s. Their self titled debut and Give Em Enough Rope were 70s albums, sure.

How did I get from the Cult to the Clash. No bueno.

Sebastian Barcelone The Clash were better than the Cult

I've been very hungry, but not enough to kill.

This should be Chicago's theme song!

Yuupp ,👹 .😸 .

"As the daily crowd disperses, no one says that much,
Somebody got murdered, and it left me with a touch"

utter masterpiece

yea man 100%

Amazing riff intro.... turn up the volume, close your eyes and for 29 seconds throb to the beat of The Clash...

Can't say it better, and the part at 0:28 always gives me goosebumps

music that educates and entertains, love fhe Clash

+Michael Sato Ghansiam Great description.

I've been very tempted. For real

Great album.....sharing and experimenting. Never dull.

Cracking tune. Brings back some good memories for me.

Memories of 1970s/80s on Shirley estate fill my mind and heart...

Always coming back to SANDINISTA!

definitely x

this song is sadly relevant still...like the students killed in Kenya a couple days ago :(

Lesley Valencia Still relevant! Sad about those kids tho....

I can't be the only one out there who wants this song for their funeral.

@Sammy Koresh lol

@Sammy Koresh This one if I get murdered.  Fields of Athenry if i'm destitute!

what you said

London calling and straight to hell too!

URRGGGHHHH AHHH!!! CLASH IS IT IT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This song just ///aahh I cant! I just im falling out now!! Off my chair! On the floor!!

ミックジョーンズの静かな声で歌うパンクはジョーストラマーより個人的に好きです。

Sandinista......................what a feast of musical supernova creative genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The clash matters that's it!

i've been very hungry, but not enough to kill

Justin Yentis Same! XD

that line is killer

It's the first line I think of whenever I hear the song title

KitKatz - I've been very hungry...

Literally my life story.

I've listened to this song for a very long time and I memorized the lyrics to it but I still have no idea what "cosh a barber" means. If somebody could explain that to me, please do so.

to make it Simple.... Hit with something..

@Danny Spelman Back in those days, the assault weapon of choice was the Millwall Brick, a damp newspaper melee weapon, or even just a cosh(in American English, black-jack). Though colloquially, you are right, in British slang almost every blunt weapon was known as a cosh and it can be used as a verb "coshing"

No dice!!

+de132 Your explanation makes a bit more sense. On Wikipedia it's described more like a steel covered baton. From what I remember, where I grew up, which was not London in the seventies, among my group, we just called a sock full of something heavy a cosh. Even full of eggs. Never used one but heard stories. I just assumed it was the same all over. Either way, it is a rarely used word nowadays. I was slightly inaccurate and now it's to be displayed on the internet until the end of time. :P

a blackjack; bludgeon. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/cosh

Perhaps one of their best all around, deep meaning

This is one of my favorite Clash tune...other favorites of mine include Armagedion time, COMPLETE CONTROL and Rudie Cant fail and Guns of Brixton and HATEFUL

As the daily crowd disperses, no one says that much accept: visit sites. google .com  /2034 /ba    And it'll leave you with a touch

the clash o sexpistols dos bandas opuestas anarquia y conciencia no maneja los sentimientos

Kanta ikaragarrixe. Itzela. Mick Jones beti bezala sentimendu gordinaz abesten

fuck those two people why even search this song to hate ..

^ this goes for every song on youtube.

I be very hungry but not enough to kill.... The Clash.

full disclosure!

The best song The Clash ever made. Period.

Fanfuckintastic.........

Somebody's dead forever

One of the greatest band of the 80's SERIOUS..COME ON THE ONLY BAND THAT EVER REALLY MATTERED.

ideal music for do anithing! clash only GREAT!

Drummer Lee Rigby R.I.P.

GOD BLESS YOU.

One of the great bands of the 80's. I miss the 80's, the times and all the great music that was made back then. I wish I had a time machine.

Joe was right all the way
Don't let the Barking stop the watch clock

Perfect track!

Nobody who says that actually believes it. It's just a nick name they got back then, because they had more to offer than the other contemporary bands.

whoever thinks The Clash sucks are either trolls or very fuckin stupid.. they are less than nothing

morira para siempre!! The Clash, sus letras siempre viviran para la eternidad.

brilliant

Ah que buena canción y que buena es The Clash, es mi banda favorita.

Just love this song - it stands out and has something very honest about it.

that harmony on the refrain is just great

Number !

the clash monstro

verdades brasil