It was the song that inspired millions of young punks everywhere to begin questioning the establishment: should they stay or should they go? On the surface, it could be the rhymes of a troubled relationship or a distressed Bohemian, but the true meaning is far more sinister. The lead singer of the Clash is, quite simply, fed up with being a prostitute.
Strummer is a hapless hooker desperately in love with one of his customers, who prefers to keep a little distance ("Always tease tease tease, you're happy when I'm on my knees") but nevertheless has provided Strummer with a romantic ultimatum: he could keep working the streets or run away with him. Strummer, disillusioned by the inconsistency of the tricks he turns, with one day being fine and the next being black, (contrary to common knowledge) does not want to go back.
However, the decision is not that easy to make, and this is clearly bugging him. He confronts his pimp and states that "If you don't want me set me free," following the threat with the burden of proof for the alleged not-wanting, incuding an ignorance of the size of the clothes that Strummer wears. At last, an incensed Joe cans the bullshit and asks bluntly "Should I cool it or should I blow?"
Joe Strummer's conundrum is not one that most of us can relate to, but a devilish one to observe indeed. Lodged within it is the Catch-22 that if he goes there will be trouble (possibly related to getting hunted down by his pimp, or simply a long-term romantic disinterest with his current flame) but if he stays there will be double (further entrapment in the life of a prostitute, accompanied with depression and dissatisfaction with self).
To date, no one has let him know whether he should stay or should he go, because in reality, it's a question that only we ourselves can answer.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment