The Clash observations thread.

[Low Down Low]

Is Long Time Jerk about Pearl Harbour? Sure i've read somewhere that Paul supposedly wrote it for or about his ex, though it reads much more like a joe song to me anyway.

They are Joe's lyrics aren't they?

I understand it's mainly a Paul song. I've read it somewhere before. The official credit goes to Strummer/Simonon/Jones.

Paul's tune but Joe's lyrics?

Gonna scrape the trouble off my boots!

I've always wondered why they issued a shorter version than the B-side on "Super Black Market Clash".

Only my guess but i think paul had a few thoughts or ideas scribbled out and joe pretty much put the shape on them. It reads at least 80% joe to me anyway.

[Marky Dread]

Is Long Time Jerk about Pearl Harbour? Sure i've read somewhere that Paul supposedly wrote it for or about his ex, though it reads much more like a joe song to me anyway.

They are Joe's lyrics aren't they?

I understand it's mainly a Paul song. I've read it somewhere before. The official credit goes to Strummer/Simonon/Jones.

Paul's tune but Joe's lyrics?

Gonna scrape the trouble off my boots!

I've always wondered why they issued a shorter version than the B-side on "Super Black Market Clash".

Only my guess but i think paul had a few thoughts or ideas scribbled out and joe pretty much put the shape on them. It reads at least 80% joe to me anyway.

Yeah I think they feel more Joe than Paul. The demo just has Joe singing a scat vocal.

[Heston]

Is Long Time Jerk about Pearl Harbour? Sure i've read somewhere that Paul supposedly wrote it for or about his ex, though it reads much more like a joe song to me anyway.

They are Joe's lyrics aren't they?

I understand it's mainly a Paul song. I've read it somewhere before. The official credit goes to Strummer/Simonon/Jones.

Paul's tune but Joe's lyrics?

Gonna scrape the trouble off my boots!

I've always wondered why they issued a shorter version than the B-side on "Super Black Market Clash".

I read they were Paul's lyrics but Joe may have been hanging over his shoulder, he's credited after all. This is where one of those in-depth Beatles books would be handy, breaking shit down.

[Marky Dread]

Is Long Time Jerk about Pearl Harbour? Sure i've read somewhere that Paul supposedly wrote it for or about his ex, though it reads much more like a joe song to me anyway.

They are Joe's lyrics aren't they?

I understand it's mainly a Paul song. I've read it somewhere before. The official credit goes to Strummer/Simonon/Jones.

Paul's tune but Joe's lyrics?

Gonna scrape the trouble off my boots!

I've always wondered why they issued a shorter version than the B-side on "Super Black Market Clash".

I read they were Paul's lyrics but Joe may have been hanging over his shoulder, he's credited after all. This is where one of those in-depth Beatles books would be handy, breaking shit down.

That would indeed be a great book to have.

[Heston]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

[Marky Dread]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Reading through some of Joe's lyrics you get a sense of a certain way of writing even down to certain words that make you feel "hey, that's so Joe".

[Heston]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Reading through some of Joe's lyrics you get a sense of a certain way of writing even down to certain words that make you feel "hey, that's so Joe".

I know what you mean. But maybe Paul was getting influenced by Joe? Who knows? I think something like Rebel Waltz can only be a Joe lyric but Long Time Jerk is in the realms of possibility for Paul.

[Marky Dread]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Reading through some of Joe's lyrics you get a sense of a certain way of writing even down to certain words that make you feel "hey, that's so Joe".

I know what you mean. But maybe Paul was getting influenced by Joe? Who knows? I think something like Rebel Waltz can only be a Joe lyric but Long Time Jerk is in the realms of possibility for Paul.

Oh definitely possible. The tune feels very rockabilly/cajun which both Paul and Joe were big on at the time. So I think maybe a joint effort could be a solid guess.

[Guest1]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Reading through some of Joe's lyrics you get a sense of a certain way of writing even down to certain words that make you feel "hey, that's so Joe".

I know what you mean. But maybe Paul was getting influenced by Joe? Who knows? I think something like Rebel Waltz can only be a Joe lyric but Long Time Jerk is in the realms of possibility for Paul.

Oh definitely possible. The tune feels very rockabilly/cajun which both Paul and Joe were big on at the time. So I think maybe a joint effort could be a solid guess.

Do you think topper contributed more than given credit for? I mean like for melodies, chords that sort of stuff. I mean he was more musically accomplished/well rounded than Paul in many ways.

[Marky Dread]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Reading through some of Joe's lyrics you get a sense of a certain way of writing even down to certain words that make you feel "hey, that's so Joe".

I know what you mean. But maybe Paul was getting influenced by Joe? Who knows? I think something like Rebel Waltz can only be a Joe lyric but Long Time Jerk is in the realms of possibility for Paul.

Oh definitely possible. The tune feels very rockabilly/cajun which both Paul and Joe were big on at the time. So I think maybe a joint effort could be a solid guess.

Do you think topper contributed more than given credit for? I mean like for melodies, chords that sort of stuff. I mean he was more musically accomplished/well rounded than Paul in many ways.

Other than "Casbah" I doubt it. Mick and Joe covered enough ground.

[Guest1]

Reading through some of Joe's lyrics you get a sense of a certain way of writing even down to certain words that make you feel "hey, that's so Joe".

I know what you mean. But maybe Paul was getting influenced by Joe? Who knows? I think something like Rebel Waltz can only be a Joe lyric but Long Time Jerk is in the realms of possibility for Paul.

Oh definitely possible. The tune feels very rockabilly/cajun which both Paul and Joe were big on at the time. So I think maybe a joint effort could be a solid guess.

Do you think topper contributed more than given credit for? I mean like for melodies, chords that sort of stuff. I mean he was more musically accomplished/well rounded than Paul in many ways.

Other than "Casbah" I doubt it. Mick and Joe covered enough ground.

I agree but That’s just such a fully realized tune that I’m amazed. So much wasted potential that the four of them couldn’t have stayed together. Not a new sentiment I know.

[Jimmy Jazz]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Interesting. I might have missed it but where are you finding the writing credits broken down like that? I thought everything was just credited to "The Clash" after LC.

[Heston]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Interesting. I might have missed it but where are you finding the writing credits broken down like that? I thought everything was just credited to "The Clash" after LC.

Check this thread mate, all is explained...

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12478&hilit=credits

[Jimmy Jazz]

Looking back at those post-LC songwriting credits, Paul is on a helluva lot of songs. Who knows what he contributed, it has never really been explained in interviews. But knowing that Rebel Waltz is a Strummer/Simonon song makes me curious about its inception.

Interesting. I might have missed it but where are you finding the writing credits broken down like that? I thought everything was just credited to "The Clash" after LC.

Check this thread mate, all is explained...

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=12478&hilit=credits

Thanks, great find

[Marky Dread]

I know what you mean. But maybe Paul was getting influenced by Joe? Who knows? I think something like Rebel Waltz can only be a Joe lyric but Long Time Jerk is in the realms of possibility for Paul.

Oh definitely possible. The tune feels very rockabilly/cajun which both Paul and Joe were big on at the time. So I think maybe a joint effort could be a solid guess.

Do you think topper contributed more than given credit for? I mean like for melodies, chords that sort of stuff. I mean he was more musically accomplished/well rounded than Paul in many ways.

Other than "Casbah" I doubt it. Mick and Joe covered enough ground.

I agree but That’s just such a fully realized tune that I’m amazed. So much wasted potential that the four of them couldn’t have stayed together. Not a new sentiment I know.

I would point you to his so called solo material after he left The Clash. Nothing matches "Casbah".