If Music Could Talk

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:47pm

Aeneas wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:04pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

08 Jul 2008, 2:44pm

I don't have The Clash songbook anymore I lent it to a mate years ago but never got it back , I just remembered the song being about the Dutch Fuzz with the line about Cloggs.

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

I thought that also for years but when you listen closer to to the track it sounds more like a "g" sound than an "m" so I'm sticking with "clogging" but the song works either way. So it's win/win. Joe's diction is far from easy to decipher at times.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside to feel the stuff outta meeeeee
someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining at me
so I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
yeah here they come clogging up the stairs
alright sonny just tell us where?
don't ask me mate, do what officer? ... that's murder. (mass murder).

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:09am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:47pm

Aeneas wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:04pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

08 Jul 2008, 2:44pm

I don't have The Clash songbook anymore I lent it to a mate years ago but never got it back , I just remembered the song being about the Dutch Fuzz with the line about Cloggs.

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

I thought that also for years but when you listen closer to to the track it sounds more like a "g" sound than an "m" so I'm sticking with "clogging" but the song works either way. So it's win/win. Joe's diction is far from easy to decipher at times.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside to feel the stuff outta meeeeee
someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining at me
so I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
yeah here they come clogging up the stairs
alright sonny just tell us where?
don't ask me mate, do what officer? ... that's murder. (mass murder).

I doubt anyone associated with The Clash, or any of their genuine fans
ever wore clogs.

JennyB wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 11:11am

I wore clogs when I was a kid.

JennyB wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 11:11am

I wore clogs when I was a kid.

deny wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 11:42am

JennyB wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 11:11am

I wore clogs when I was a kid.

My football team were known as cloggers

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:30am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:09am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:47pm

Aeneas wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:04pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

08 Jul 2008, 2:44pm

I don't have The Clash songbook anymore I lent it to a mate years ago but never got it back , I just remembered the song being about the Dutch Fuzz with the line about Cloggs.

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

I thought that also for years but when you listen closer to to the track it sounds more like a "g" sound than an "m" so I'm sticking with "clogging" but the song works either way. So it's win/win. Joe's diction is far from easy to decipher at times.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside to feel the stuff outta meeeeee
someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining at me
so I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
yeah here they come clogging up the stairs
alright sonny just tell us where?
don't ask me mate, do what officer? ... that's murder. (mass murder).

I doubt anyone associated with The Clash, or any of their genuine fans
ever wore clogs.

Who suggested that The Clash or their "genuine fans" wore clogs? I'm well aware it's The Clash and not New Model Army. Besides the lyric is refering to the old bill.

If you read the thread we're going with "charging".

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

So neither of us were correct.

and as previously posted I believe thesse to be the correct lyric, not that I'm a genuine fan or anything.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside comes to a stop right at meeeeeeeee! (backing track screeeeech)
Someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining and neat
So I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
Yeah here they come charging up the stairs
Alright sonny just tell us where?
Don't ask me mon, do what officer? ... mass murder

From the live version from The Lyceum '78 Joe sings "Dragging up the stairs". I was at that gig so Marky is a rude boy in Rude Boy.

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:26pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:30am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:09am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:47pm

Aeneas wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:04pm

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

I thought that also for years but when you listen closer to to the track it sounds more like a "g" sound than an "m" so I'm sticking with "clogging" but the song works either way. So it's win/win. Joe's diction is far from easy to decipher at times.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside to feel the stuff outta meeeeee
someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining at me
so I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
yeah here they come clogging up the stairs
alright sonny just tell us where?
don't ask me mate, do what officer? ... that's murder. (mass murder).

I doubt anyone associated with The Clash, or any of their genuine fans
ever wore clogs.

Who suggested that The Clash or their "genuine fans" wore clogs? I'm well aware it's The Clash and not New Model Army. Besides the lyric is refering to the old bill.

If you read the thread we're going with "charging".

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

So neither of us were correct.

and as previously posted I believe thesse to be the correct lyric, not that I'm a genuine fan or anything.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside comes to a stop right at meeeeeeeee! (backing track screeeeech)
Someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining and neat
So I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
Yeah here they come charging up the stairs
Alright sonny just tell us where?
Don't ask me mon, do what officer? ... mass murder

From the live version from The Lyceum '78 Joe sings "Dragging up the stairs". I was at that gig so Marky is a rude boy in Rude Boy.

Try doing a google of "clumping up the stairs" to see random examples of usage.
First one I see listed is actually in a book called "Road kill on Main Street"
which is in direct reference to a policeman climb/stomping up stairs
in pursuit of a 'perp' ".

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 12:14am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:26pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:30am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:09am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

28 Aug 2017, 2:47pm

I thought that also for years but when you listen closer to to the track it sounds more like a "g" sound than an "m" so I'm sticking with "clogging" but the song works either way. So it's win/win. Joe's diction is far from easy to decipher at times.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside to feel the stuff outta meeeeee
someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining at me
so I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
yeah here they come clogging up the stairs
alright sonny just tell us where?
don't ask me mate, do what officer? ... that's murder. (mass murder).

I doubt anyone associated with The Clash, or any of their genuine fans
ever wore clogs.

Who suggested that The Clash or their "genuine fans" wore clogs? I'm well aware it's The Clash and not New Model Army. Besides the lyric is refering to the old bill.

If you read the thread we're going with "charging".

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

So neither of us were correct.

and as previously posted I believe thesse to be the correct lyric, not that I'm a genuine fan or anything.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside comes to a stop right at meeeeeeeee! (backing track screeeeech)
Someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining and neat
So I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
Yeah here they come charging up the stairs
Alright sonny just tell us where?
Don't ask me mon, do what officer? ... mass murder

From the live version from The Lyceum '78 Joe sings "Dragging up the stairs". I was at that gig so Marky is a rude boy in Rude Boy.

Try doing a google of "clumping up the stairs" to see random examples of usage.
First one I see listed is actually in a book called "Road kill on Main Street"
which is in direct reference to a policeman climb/stomping up stairs
in pursuit of a 'perp' ".

I could read loads of stuff mate on google. I mean no disrespect to you but it is "charging" on the album track. Joe sings dragging on some live takes. I'm fully aware of the expression "stomping" meaning to tread heavily however it's not what Joe says. I have mixed the track to hear the vocal clearer and slowed the track down and it's 100% "charging". But hey it's not really a big deal.

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:48am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 12:14am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:26pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:30am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:09am

I doubt anyone associated with The Clash, or any of their genuine fans
ever wore clogs.

Who suggested that The Clash or their "genuine fans" wore clogs? I'm well aware it's The Clash and not New Model Army. Besides the lyric is refering to the old bill.

If you read the thread we're going with "charging".

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

So neither of us were correct.

and as previously posted I believe thesse to be the correct lyric, not that I'm a genuine fan or anything.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside comes to a stop right at meeeeeeeee! (backing track screeeeech)
Someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining and neat
So I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
Yeah here they come charging up the stairs
Alright sonny just tell us where?
Don't ask me mon, do what officer? ... mass murder

From the live version from The Lyceum '78 Joe sings "Dragging up the stairs". I was at that gig so Marky is a rude boy in Rude Boy.

Try doing a google of "clumping up the stairs" to see random examples of usage.
First one I see listed is actually in a book called "Road kill on Main Street"
which is in direct reference to a policeman climb/stomping up stairs
in pursuit of a 'perp' ".

I could read loads of stuff mate on google. I mean no disrespect to you but it is "charging" on the album track. Joe sings dragging on some live takes. I'm fully aware of the expression "stomping" meaning to tread heavily however it's not what Joe says. I have mixed the track to hear the vocal clearer and slowed the track down and it's 100% "charging". But hey it's not really a big deal.

The real question is:
what happens when the police pump this guy, after all his
"do what, officer's", and find out who is the kingpin drug dealer
in the city.
Do they go to his warehouse and arrest him, or
work out a schedule of bribe payments from the drug kingpin.
We need Joe back to lay down lyrics on that scenario,
40 years later.

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 10:41am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:48am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 12:14am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:26pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:30am

Who suggested that The Clash or their "genuine fans" wore clogs? I'm well aware it's The Clash and not New Model Army. Besides the lyric is refering to the old bill.

If you read the thread we're going with "charging".

It is "clumping/clomping" up the stairs.
"clump -- "walk with a heavy tread" -- dictionary.

So neither of us were correct.

and as previously posted I believe thesse to be the correct lyric, not that I'm a genuine fan or anything.

I was lying in my room, it was raining drugs all afternoon
I hear this car pull up outside comes to a stop right at meeeeeeeee! (backing track screeeeech)
Someone's in a hurry n' someone better worry
'cause these four guys all had on their feet a pair of black shoes shining and neat
So I thinks move, black shoes lord no that's bad news
Yeah here they come charging up the stairs
Alright sonny just tell us where?
Don't ask me mon, do what officer? ... mass murder

From the live version from The Lyceum '78 Joe sings "Dragging up the stairs". I was at that gig so Marky is a rude boy in Rude Boy.

Try doing a google of "clumping up the stairs" to see random examples of usage.
First one I see listed is actually in a book called "Road kill on Main Street"
which is in direct reference to a policeman climb/stomping up stairs
in pursuit of a 'perp' ".

I could read loads of stuff mate on google. I mean no disrespect to you but it is "charging" on the album track. Joe sings dragging on some live takes. I'm fully aware of the expression "stomping" meaning to tread heavily however it's not what Joe says. I have mixed the track to hear the vocal clearer and slowed the track down and it's 100% "charging". But hey it's not really a big deal.

The real question is:
what happens when the police pump this guy, after all his
"do what, officer's", and find out who is the kingpin drug dealer
in the city.
Do they go to his warehouse and arrest him, or
work out a schedule of bribe payments from the drug kingpin.
We need Joe back to lay down lyrics on that scenario,
40 years later.

Ha! if only. I doubt if the police would even bother with a small time bust like Joe in this song. These days with limited man power but greater intel they would go after the dealers.

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:44pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 10:41am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:48am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 12:14am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:26pm

Try doing a google of "clumping up the stairs" to see random examples of usage.
First one I see listed is actually in a book called "Road kill on Main Street"
which is in direct reference to a policeman climb/stomping up stairs
in pursuit of a 'perp' ".

I could read loads of stuff mate on google. I mean no disrespect to you but it is "charging" on the album track. Joe sings dragging on some live takes. I'm fully aware of the expression "stomping" meaning to tread heavily however it's not what Joe says. I have mixed the track to hear the vocal clearer and slowed the track down and it's 100% "charging". But hey it's not really a big deal.

The real question is:
what happens when the police pump this guy, after all his
"do what, officer's", and find out who is the kingpin drug dealer
in the city.
Do they go to his warehouse and arrest him, or
work out a schedule of bribe payments from the drug kingpin.
We need Joe back to lay down lyrics on that scenario,
40 years later.

Ha! if only. I doubt if the police would even bother with a small time bust like Joe in this song. These days with limited man power but greater intel they would go after the dealers.

From all that I have heard, Joe Strummer did not use drugs and
wrote this simply to dramatize the event.
Police have plenty of manpower -- as a group they think they have better job security
allowing drugs to remain on the street.
No street crime, no job.
Drug use generates a lot of other types of crime.
NYC alone has 34,000 cops consuming enormous tax money.

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:44pm

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 10:41am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:48am

Marky Dread wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 12:14am

Aeneas wrote: ↑

13 Sep 2017, 9:26pm

Try doing a google of "clumping up the stairs" to see random examples of usage.
First one I see listed is actually in a book called "Road kill on Main Street"
which is in direct reference to a policeman climb/stomping up stairs
in pursuit of a 'perp' ".

I could read loads of stuff mate on google. I mean no disrespect to you but it is "charging" on the album track. Joe sings dragging on some live takes. I'm fully aware of the expression "stomping" meaning to tread heavily however it's not what Joe says. I have mixed the track to hear the vocal clearer and slowed the track down and it's 100% "charging". But hey it's not really a big deal.

The real question is:
what happens when the police pump this guy, after all his
"do what, officer's", and find out who is the kingpin drug dealer
in the city.
Do they go to his warehouse and arrest him, or
work out a schedule of bribe payments from the drug kingpin.
We need Joe back to lay down lyrics on that scenario,
40 years later.

Ha! if only. I doubt if the police would even bother with a small time bust like Joe in this song. These days with limited man power but greater intel they would go after the dealers.

From all that I have heard, Joe Strummer did not use drugs and
wrote this simply to dramatize the event.
Police have plenty of manpower -- as a group they think they have better job security
allowing drugs to remain on the street.
No street crime, no job.
Drug use generates a lot of other types of crime.
NYC alone has 34,000 cops consuming enormous tax money.

Aeneas wrote: ↑

14 Sep 2017, 2:44pm

From all that I have heard, Joe Strummer did not use drugs and
wrote this simply to dramatize the event.