The Crooked Beat - The Clash

[rollcat886]

This is one of about 13 songs that I wish weren't on the album.

[therememate]

fantastic listining to reggae from the clash , wath a band their sounds will always live

[sandrinekl74]

Absolutely love this song! I purchased Sandinista 2nd hand vinyl age 14 in 1988... That album means a lot to me ;) Been a die hard fan ever since..

[sexdrugsnsk8boarding]

shut the fuck up and listen to this perfect song.

[machbaby]

Paul has has a great "I don't give a fuck what I sound like" rock (reggae) voice.

[theclash181]

interesting reggae sound with punk, rock and rap mixed in somewhere there

[EssiacHempLaetrile]

Cannabis (Cannabinoids) cures ... Cancer!

[habaneroo]

@EssiacHempLaetrile - yeah, thats why Bob Marley is still alive ! 

[EssiacHempLaetrile]

@habaneroo CORRECT :)

"We combined CBD & THC in culture dishes, aggressive Brain Cancer cells. Found a Synergistic improvement in the ability to THC not only to inhibit the growth but cause programmed cell death. We found specific Molecular Mechanisms that might explain why combining the 2 compounds makes a more efficient treatment. Data suggests compounds to be active you must use a high concentration (Rick Simpson's Cancer Cure ALL Hemp Oil) you WON'T be able by smoking it."

Dr. McAllister

[dmacnic]

What a fucked up beat. lol

You have to love these guys. They took chances, didn't fit to any mold, and recorded what they wanted to record.

Long live the Clash!



[paulsinclair1000]

why argue -just listen !!!

[ayrblu]

The best band i have ever heard...music lost at the demise of The Clash,

[strummer114]

bit o speed nice now and then been at it since 1986 still clashed up

[gamer4life444]

Ahem... shouldn't we be talking about Paul Simonon here?

[EssiacHempLaetrile]

Google ... "THC Cures Cancer"

[AnnaDot]

All I gotta say is

Paul Simonon.

Dammmnnnn!

[dvargashell]

these guys invited you to expand yer mind. i feel real remorse that they are no longer making noise. protest has lost credibility without these monsters.

[PunkAndFun]

Worst Clash song in my opinion-except maybe for some dub version

[MiffsMedia]

Are. You. Fucking. Kidding?

No member of the Clash is better than the other. They're all masterminds. That's why they're such a good band because they all chemically balanced each other out. You take one of them out and it will dissolve. In this case, they took two of them out. And where did they go from there?

Case and point made.

I love this band.

[RockinBlues4]

awesome song from Paul, The Clash forever!

[easylyrics2]

LYRICS for this song || EasyLyrics . org/?artist=Clash%2C+The&title­=The+Crooked+Beat

[DuBoseEric]

they shoulda let paul sing more....he was real good especially in guns of brixton but joe and mick are great of course esp. joe strummer .....RIP Joe

[Spraycando]

@lilsteve818181. You've got no beat in your heart. Seems to me like you need some musical education.

[lilsteve818181]

wot the fuck is this ment too be a tune

[doobiescoo1]

I'm sad for you.......

[fabsternyc]

for those who actually get it, yes, for retards like you there is always Lady Gaga.......

[eksteelman]

why argue - clash !

[capucouette]

Try the Ruts "war"

[keji1]

dont you mean jah war ?

[boliverful1]

What's amazing is right before the recording of their 1st album, Paul Simonon had the notes taped to the fretboard of his bass, so he would know where to go. His love of reggae and dub music helped make Sandinista the incredible record that it is...that's dedication...

[TonyBtheEG]

Nice.

[1966pvw]

Clash and drugs...

JS took speed but stopped (his words)

TH - heroin (well documented)

MJ/PS - no evidence...

But as for rap itself.... quote/unquote - White Lines (dare I say, proto-rap) was anti-drugs... unfortunately, the rest was not to be history...

[AppoCC119]

Actually I think at the very least Mick's usage of both marijuana and LSD is "documented".

Not that I really care, seeing as I don't get the impression that drugs were a really big inspirational source for The Clash.

[jamesyctfc]

@AppoCC119 Are you joking, listen to Combat Rock

[matedog2]

@AppoCC119 Mick also did a lot of coke in at least 78. Johnny Green's book detailed that. And yeah, pot was pretty well utilized throughout the entire group.

[theclash181]

@AppoCC119 i appreciate your effort to put clash songs on youtube

[gyudbal]

@AppoCC119 More on black music.

[rorymc99]

@1966pvw topper also took cocaine. says in pink clash book.

[aero105]

@1966pvw

TH took coke too and smoked weed, am sure the whole band smoked weed, and paul simonon had some speed hidden in his pants when he went to jail and shared it with joe :D ive got that great big pink clash book.

[KalahariSurf]

@1966pvw JS was well known for making a "spliff bunkerr" when in a recording studio and by many accounts both MJ and JS really loved grass. MJ would often disrupt tour schedules in order to go and score grass.

[njlacrosse9]

@1966pvw they all smoked weed and psychadelics. also in their early years they did speed

[TheDundalk68]

lots a dope the four a them..

Joe Paul and Mick all speed in 76-77..

[Rudimcd63]

@1966pvw JS was anti drugs even tho not a preacher after the loss of his bruv 2 heroin

[bakersakter]

@Rudimcd63 bruv?  his brother od'd on asprin

[monkeycrystals]

@Rudimcd63 no he wasnt, his brother killed himself after he got into the right wing when joe was younger and he took speed, acid, dope at least. anyway this is simmos song so why not listen to it insted of talking about joe (RIP

[deepseabattles]

@1966pvw You may recall that ol' Mickey was caught snuffing white lines with Kate Moss some years back, and I've read stories suggesting that it was his drug of choice during The Clash's run as well.

[cythera431]

@1966pvw this is just stupid...who cares?

[jonnyjetex]

some where on this brill 3 album set are the lyrics, play the music man!

[titian777]

oh boy..why when ever there's a good song the comments sound like bill orieley meets the mcglaughlin group..

[1966pvw]

'cos e'body has something to say & we never know when the reply comes - so we answer our questions... FOXyNews style...

[raidercampoen]

the clash?? who . the pistols < who?? punk forever

[tctcetb]

I played this song to a bunch of "generartion Y ers" at my place of work, they said it was the worst song they ever heard,so i told them to f--k off.

[keji1]

obviously them guys at your work dont know what music is all about ... youngsters were they ? listening to shit like these rappers you get at a penny a dozen :-)

[moedelonge]

you cant say rappers are shit they're the only artists today who make any honest social commentary and the clash were fans of rap and hip hop.

Go listen to some public enemy or 2pac or talib kweli then if you dont like it fair enough, can call rappers shit but i doubt you've ever bought a rap album so you can't really call rappers shit.

[keji1]

most rappers today gloryfy guns, rape, drugs etc, etc. Sorry but i would`nt touch rap with a barge pole

[AppoCC119]

First, most rappers don't. That's just a negative stereotype.

Second, in what way exactly does that make them different from loads and loads rock bands throughout the decades?

[keji1]

lisrtening to my mates rap music i got the impression that`s what they were doing, also it`s a well known fact in the news that it`s what they do, i dont mean the rappers of the 60`s and 70`s but todays rappers

[keji1]

one other thing, i dont need to listen to 2pac or p/enemy to see if i like rap .... i have heard rap many times, i had a mate who was into rap and i used to put up with his rap music playing all the time ... i still say its shit .. thugs in disguise thats what rappers are today. By the way, what rappers did The Clash like ? not the shit rappers of today i can tell you .. they liked the original rap from the 60`s ... Jamaican rap music and rap from the 70`s ... got it ?

[tomlynch42]

I saw Kurtis Blow, one of the foremost NYC rappers, open for the Clash on the Combat Rock tour just him and his DJ in Detroit. And they knocked the crowd out! Kurtis Blow joined the Clash on stage durring the Clash's set and rapped the Magnificent 7, while Joe duck walked ala Chuck Berry [that's very funny from Joe "Chuck Berry Is Dead" Strummer] around the stage. That was way cool. There's some hip hop vocalists that are aw-ight too many bad one's clutterin up the scene. Dig for those roots.

[AppoCC119]

You do realise that "thugs in disguise" is what most people who didn't understand punk dubbed The Clash back in '77 right?

Perhaps you should take an honest listen to the best examples of rap, not the worst ones, before you start badmouthing it.

Sure there is lots and lots of really bad rap, but there is definitely some good too.

Besides, there is loads of really bad punk rock as well, should I stop listening to The Clash just because of that?

[keji1]

why would you stop listening to the clash ? they were nowhere near bad. i get your point about good and bad, yes bad rap and good rap but i`m saying about the majority here, the majority of rap is shit ... yes i know there is good rap and i`m ok with that but personally i dont like rap anyway .. in saying that there are some rap songs i do like ie: sugarhill gang - rappers delight, The Clash has also done some interesting rap tunes

[AppoCC119]

So because you personally don't like rap, that gives you the right to insult and degenerate anyone who do listen to rap?

By that logic, I have the right to call anyone who does not listen to say, King Crimson, a totally retarded idiot. just because I personally happen to like King Crimson.

[keji1]

you`ve lost the plot now m8. I didnt insult anyone who listens to rap ... i said the rap artists are gloryfying drugs, guns, etc, etc. you can listen to anything you like, i can listen to anything i like ... but it dont mean that i agree with what you listen to ... again i will say ! I did not insult or degenerate anyone.... I also said there are some good rap songs out there that i like ... They just happen to be old rap songs, the rap of today is shit tbh

[moedelonge]

(it says this was a reply to my comment. If its not sorry for boring you lol)

Right first thing, there's bad and good rappers like you said. You probably listened to bad rappers, what if tht m8 u talked about listend to cut th crap by th clash? It wudn't b a fair representaion of tht music.

[keji1]

No it wouldnt be a fair rep, but you miss the point, i am saying rappers gloryfy drugs guns etc: i didnt say the music was shit ... and i am talking about rappers of today not yesteryear

[moedelonge]

Wait, aren't the clash a rock band. You know rock, the music genre which has repeatedly glorified drug abuse to the masses. But as for rap itself, I don't think (from what I've heard anyway) it glorifies drugs or guns because the rappers are telling us how crappy their lives are/were due to being involved with drugs/guns. To me the only thing it glorifies (which is bad) is sexism, but apart from that i think many music genres glorify drugs (reggae,rock even some blues) and guns (rock.)

[keji1]

wtf, When has The Clash gloryfied drugs, never. Just because they are a rock band it dont mean the got to gloryfy drugs, in fact, they sacked topper the drummer because of his drug taking, The Clash wasnt even drug users where most rock stars were/are, and dont tell me rappers dont gloryfy drugs or guns because they do ... you only need to see 1 or 2 videos of rappers and you will see drugs or guns in the videos and yes also sexism ... they are a bunch of assholes to be honest.

[AppoCC119]

No The Clash have never openly glorified drugs, but neither have a majority of rappers, yet you don't mind accusing all of rappers for drug-glorification even while only some of them engage in it.

Hypocrisy?

And rappers wouldn't never have been able to get away with glorifying drugs, guns, sexism and all other things if rock hadn't paved the way.

Personally, I find Aerosmith and the like much more offensive than say 50 Cent.

[keji1]

No, i dont agree ... the majority of rappers do the minoriyty dont. Like i said i like some rap but you watch these rap channels on sky, and all you see is sexism, but i will say you dont get the guns and knives these days but thats only because it would`nt be allowed ... look at these street gangs in the big cities blacks with knives and guns and playing rap music. Thats what rap music has brought to the streets. punk never done that so how am i an hypocrite and i dont see how rock did either

[AppoCC119]

Christ. There is so much faulty with your last comment I don't know where to begin. Lets start with these "rap channels". Well, when I put on say VH1 all I see is rock that glorifies sexism, drugs and violence. Those that make me believe that all of rock is like that? Obviously not.

Second, have you ever heard of greasers, rockers, mods, and a thousand other rock-oriented and no less violent than rap gangs that have existed since the creation of rock?

[keji1]

What rock bands glorify drugs ? i know one, The Babyshambles. i fucking hate them. you know as i do there are loads of rock stars that are on drugs but that dont mean they glorify drugs and yes they have sex but sexism, how do rock stars glorify sexism or violence . Yes i have heard of greasers, rockers, mods, etc,etc, but i`m talking of today`s crap. Anyway , they were never half as bad as the rappers of today . rap on sky has xxx videos on late at night where they simulate rape, disgusting

[MissStonerose]

When rap isn't sickmakingly crass or unnervingly pornographic, it's hysterically funny! That little thick kid that was on buzzcocks for instance. I LOVE to see these big fat ugly "gangsters" strutting round with their shades on, dripping with gold, with all these sexy "hoes" rubbing their arses up and down them! It CREASES me! Should be on comedy channel. It like a MOBO version of Van Halen or Bon Jovi. Remember when Emu got that Snoop Dog bloke? Magic! I peed myself laughing!

[keji1]

well said :-)

[tiagofigueiro]

There's good hip-hop as well... Try The Fugees, De La Soul or Wu-Tang Clan, you can't say it's *bad*. Though no hip-hop can compare to good old Clash :)

[MissStonerose]

Good God I don't. Aerosmith and others of that ilk were tongue in cheek "pop" stars. 50 cent is a biggotted arse. That whole scene takes itself far too seriously, but I have to thank God for it because it makes me laugh so much! No what I'm sayin ;-)

[6Immortal6Fears6]

@AppoCC119 how is aerosmith more offensive then 50 cent he promotes violence

[AppoCC119]

@6Immortal6Fears6 I'm sorry, it's been a long time since these initial comments and my views have certainly changed quite a bit. I do not in fact find Aerosmith offensive at all, I accept their sexism and whatnot as part of their shtick, and as long as they don't put their "message" over their music I don't mind what their message is. That goes for all music. And I don't find 50 Cent offensive either, just rather laughable and ultimately forgettable (who'll remember him in 20 years I ask?).

[6Immortal6Fears6]

@AppoCC119 its all just music right? the artists with the provocative ideas are all just for show , entertainment and their "image". some fans just take it to heart just a little bit to much.

[rorymc99]

@keji1 exactly right. you're exactly right.

@AppoCC199 you are wrong. ''on say VH1 all I see is rock that glorifies sexism, drugs and violence'' you have missed the point. that is heavy metal, metal not rock. maybe hard rock but not rock.

THE CLASH HAVE NEVER GLORIFIED DRUGS BECAUSE THEY SACKED NICKY 'TOPPER' HEADON FOR HAVING A COCAINE AND HEROIN ADDICTION.

[keji1]

thank you rory, :)

[keji1]

Yes i agree its not only rappers but i`m only saying it about rappers because thats the subject i used as an example

[moedelonge]

Secondly, your facts are a bit off. Rap started in mid 70's definitely not 60's lol and it only really got any recognition until the late 70's. There were minor jamaican rappers at the time but none put records out which sold more then 500 copies so i doubt they listened to that lol. I heard a story that they were influenced by grandmaster flash and other new york rappers (which would make sense since that was the only place with a real rap scene at the time.)

[keji1]

It dont look like you got my comment about this ... rap was around in the 60`s m8 ... look it up on the net jamaican rap ... usa rap was around in the early 80` not the 70`s I think you are a bit off not me.

[1966pvw]

"Coac-Cola advertising with cocaine..."

it's the only drug lyric I can think of (not including weed)

[Takac1979]

Sandinista came from being my least favorite Clash album to one of my favorite albums of all time. It took only about 15-20 years ... Such a masterpiece!

[smellyjonnie]

it's great to play this with it on cd on a stereo in the back round and off set the stereo about 2 ms and have the back beat be the bass and some of the drum hits

their best album hands down

[coolconfuzer]

this songs fun 2 play on bass but impossible to sing and play at the same time

[AppoCC119]

Don't think Paul ever did.

I know that at least for Guns of Brixton he would take Joe's rhytm guitar duties with Joe playing bass.

[coolconfuzer]

yeah im like 99% they didn't even play this song live hes got a new song with that new band hes with that has a song thats similiar..but i honestly i pefer this song then Brixton cuz this song isnt played out

[ughaghugh]

it's the kind of tune that get's you hooked and then all of a sudden you look up and realize you have been listening to it for hours. Awesome, thanks for posting :)

[keji1]

@ughaghugh

[OriginalG516]

Paul cannot sing, but it still is perfect. crooked voice for the crooked beat

[AppoCC119]

Meh, Joe doesn´t really have a better voice.

But who cares?

[ughaghugh]

All of their voices were great, neither one of them was "better" than the other, they were just different. Joes' voice is sort of candid, whereas to Micks' is totally different, more cool and aloof. Character. You're not necesarily used to listen to the kind of low pitched voice that Paul has, so it's not everyones' cup of tea. Personally I think his voice is speciall, I like it because it has style, you know? It stinks that he only sings on very few songs

[AppoCC119]

True that.

No proof behind this, but I suspect Paul has always had a bit of a...confidence issue, so to say.

Not when it comes to stage presence or anything like that, but when it comes to his own work and what the other, perhaps more musically adept bandmembers will think of it. But thankfully for Paul, Joe and Mick weren't no Lennon/McCartney or Jagger/Richards, but supported him.

Indeed I've read that Paul didn't even wanna record Guns of Brixton 'till Joe talked him into it.

[ughaghugh]

damn...you know a lot (slightly envious)

[keji1]

i read that somewhere as well

[coolconfuzer]

his voice goes great with the song its all fucked up just like the song

[Rwingr9]

smoking lots of ganj in jamaica w/ mikey dread this is what you get, great cut their best album

[CrimsonPhantom88]

Huh. No offense to Paul Simonon, but I'm not too keen on his vocals, apart from Guns of Brixton. Or maybe this beat is just too crooked for me.

[AppoCC119]

Nah, he don´t come close to Mick or Joe, but I still love him in Guns of Brixton, Red Angel Dragnet and here.

And hey, he sure hell beats Topper.

Coolest bassist ever.

[coolconfuzer]

its just to crooked he sings like this because the song is supposed to be messed up. all the riffs in the backround are backwerds.

hes a better backing vocals performer and he doesnt like to sing often at all