(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
The Clash
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Midnight to six man For the first time from Jamaica Dillinger and Leroy Smart Delroy Wilson, your cool operator Ken Boothe for UK pop reggae With backing bands sound systems And if they've got anything to say There's many black ears here to listen But it was Four Tops all night with encores from stage right Charging from the bass knives to the treble But onstage they ain't got no roots rock rebel Onstage they ain't got no roots rock rebel Dress back jump back, this is a bluebeat attack 'Cause it won't get you anywhere Fooling with the guns The British Army is waiting out there An' it weighs fifteen hundred tons White youth, black youth Better find another solution Why not phone up Robin Hood And ask him for some wealth distribution Punk rockers in the UK They won't notice anyway They're all too busy fighting For a good place under the lighting The new groups are not concerned With what there is to be learned They got Burton suits, ha, you think it's funny Turning rebellion into money All over people changing their votes Along with their overcoats If Adolf Hitler flew in today They'd send a limousine anyway I'm the all night drug-prowling wolf Who looks so sick in the sun I'm the white man in the Palais Just lookin' for fun I'm only Looking for fun I'm only Looking for fun
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Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
13 facts about this song
Band History"(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" is a song by "The Clash", a British punk rock band, that was held in high esteem for their raw and energetic music and was often associated with political and social commentary.
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Song ReleaseThe song was released as a single in June 1978 by the record label CBS.
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Genre and InfluencesAlthough "The Clash" was mainly a punk rock band, "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" is widely recognized as one of the first songs to integrate elements of punk and reggae music.
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Song InspirationThe inspiration behind the song came from lead vocalist Joe Strummer's disappointment with a reggae concert at London's Hammersmith Palais venue, where he expected the performers to generate political discussion and was disappointed when they did not.
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Track LyricsThe lyrics of the song voice criticism on the increasing commercialization of reggae, lack of revolutionary spirit, and the sell-out of punk and reggae.
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Chart PerformanceThe song peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the band's first Top 40 hit.
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Artwork CoverThe song's cover art depicts three scenes from the 1963 movie "The Harder They Come".
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Recorded Studio"(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" was recorded at Basing Street Studios, London.
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Song LegacyThe song has since been hailed as a classic and is often considered one of "The Clash’s" most important works, due to its revolutionary blend of musical styles and its topical lyrics.
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Live Performances"(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" was a regular feature in The Clash's live performances, often serving as the closing number.
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ReissueThe track was reissued on 30 June 1980 with "The Prisoner" as its B-side.
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Cultural ImpactThis song has had a lasting impact within the punk and reggae milieu and continues to be referenced in culture, including a reference in the 2015 Marvel comic "The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl".
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Notable List PlacementIn 2004, the song was ranked number 430 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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Citation
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"(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 Nov. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/359818/The+Clash/%28White+Man%29+In+Hammersmith+Palais>.
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