Guns of Brixton

[PivotMasterES]

the sex pistols were so cool that they smoked so many cigs they coughed up blood because of it. But the Clash has better songs.

[rostkehlchen]

students...

[gggleasson]

this happens when you let a bunch of fucking hipsters shit on a great song!

[TallPaul721]

can every one just stop enjoying the music and start fighting?

[lizbizzie]

I like this version better then the original.

[malehawk]

As a 50 year-old fun of Clash i must state that your video and Arcade fire's performance not only give credit but actually honor the Clash legacy...

[yusuke0028]

What is this band I wanna listen more their music!

[AnnaBananax2]

@yusuke0028

I don't know if you're serious, but if you are. It's the Arcade Fire. They are amazing. You should check them out!

[CaradocMorDellOboe]

@yusuke0028 THEY'RE THE MOTHERFUCKING ARCADE FIRE THE BEST BAND EVER EXISTED!!!! 

[fr0do111]

Love this version :)

[matitsarichy]

watch the drummer all the waythroo. qwalityy..

[bondsee]

i like jiggy jigg

[johnnydistortiontrio]

excellent!

[chardsonn]

Essa versão é do próprio The Clash?

[independentael]

Great.....

[malehawk]

Lebowski nobody said that its the Clash..we all know is Arcade Fire

[lagamella]

fa cagare

[666gibous666]

bether then cipres hill (coppy)

[PunkAndFun]

Great cover

[UltrasLebowski]

this video is the cover of the clash from the band ARCADE FIRE!!! they aren't THE CLASH!!

[rcittimendes]

Pretty good version!

The Clash is FODA

[tuxtleco29]

excelso

[TheFiatLux]

Interesting

[eddycore84]

fuckin epic!

[GreenmanXIV]

Loved it, killer version Joe would have laughed, and I bet Mick is chuffed. Excellent, thank you for posting..........

[iesus68]

everytime I watch this version I feel fine.

[malehawk]

Μy respects for the upload, the best video on youtube for my own special sensitivities and hope for others's. Brings shivers..thanks m8 :))

[lesleyblood1]

barrier block Yardie will eat you alive...shoot you up with brick dust and take ya cash ....then laugh

[BethnalGreenBRUV]

brixton ain nuffin compared 2 E5, E8, E9

[023201234]

this is Arcade Fire

[joelkad]

Some guy is way too close to Regine @_@

[Chiltronic]

When they kick out your front door How you gonna come? With your hands on your head Or on the trigger of your gun When the law break in How you gonna go? Shot down on the pavement Or waiting in death row You can crush us You can bruise us But you'll have to answer to Oh, Guns of Brixton

[311down4unity]

Greatest lyrics ever written

[Chiltronic]

The Money Feels Good And Your Life You Like It Well But Surely Your Time Will Come As In Heaven, As In Hell You See, He Feels Like Ivan Born Under The Brixton Sun His Game Is Called Survivin' At The End Of The Harder They Come You Know He Means No Mercy They Caught Him With A Gun No Need For The Black Maria Goodbye To The Brixton Sun

[Moebius92]

that moved me.

[tyroneharris]

I have no idea what this is but I like it.

[lnmor9]

this iz shit fuk dis shet sond the floped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fukkin walads ard brixton don talkin fuk m.z

[Apocholypse]

Didn't understand a word???????

[uschelseagirl]

This is the worst cover of this song I have ever seen. This is an amazing song by a legendary band.. this performance is so lame it insults it.

[plattform5163]

This is a great song, thanks for sharing

[pontiuspilot1]

They've done some awful covers.

This and their cover naive melody are really dodgy.

[harrythebastard1]

yeah there is a newe wpunk move ment and we re arming and not putting up with this shit ,join us or die ............................

[erocker2020]

are you gay, ARE YOU GAY!

[Maddhater1]

i think you ment ? not !

[Ksiaze1888]

is ok!!! oi

[hatzi88]

respect

[sio5RCA]

can every one just stop fighting and enjoy the music?

[ronaldinho91]

@sio5RCA Punk is about having some fight in you its all in good fun though!

[lazeballz]

this cover is awesome.

[JoyDivisionSouth]

the pistols the the only 'real' punk band ...

the clash's reggae sound was actually better..

the word punk is annoying now..

blondie was punk...joke

green day..good..but it is 'cartoon punk'..

[gavroche67]

yeah i agree to say that the real punk is no more, but the Sex Pistols weren't the only real punk band when you think to the multitude of punk bands at this time. Anyway, Joy Division stay the greatest band ever for me !

[12barbluesshuffle]

joy division were so incredible, and, for me, the ideal they represented was a punk one, if the music wasnt

[gavroche67]

well i don't really agree, i mean sure there were very influenced by the punk, but they stay out of any categories whatever they are. and the lyrics of Ian are way much deeper and it's not the same violence than the punk if you know what i mean

[brenbullock]

I agree but there is an interesting new punk movement you should check out. Check out Jay Reatard for starters. There's a bunch of good stuff coming out of the Midwest/plains states area.

[mothHgoth]

yeah!!! amaizing!!!

[crikey88]

um your stupid joe strummer didnt even write this song or preform it, it was written and preformed by paul simon who is still alive and has said he likes this cover. fuckin poser.

[brenbullock]

paul simonon.

[stacyblue1980]

paul is from brixton

[howarddd92]

What a shite crowd.

[blossompossum]

It's pretty odd reading the comments and seeing how many (or perhaps how few) people hate this cover. I think they kept the mood of the song completely. The instruments make the song sound more menacing and threatening, and the band's singing (mostly Will; he had the megaphone) seems very imposing along with the lyrics. Given that I love the Arcade Fire and the Clash equally, I can't be biased as to which version I prefer.

[romi63]

Nice tribute to a great song.

Even though the famous Paul Simonon bass line it's been replaced by mandolin , I will always have goose bumps listening to those words.

[RickyWagons]

Terrible version. What's next, the Vienna Boys Choir rendition of "Voodoo Chile"?

[mattius44]

Sorry for this somewhat off-topic comment, but I know that this video clip was taken off the Neon Bible website. Has anyone else seen the video clip on that same site of a young girl screaming a seemingly inspirational speech to a cheering audience in a foreign language? I am just curious if anyone knnows who this young person is, as I would like to see the speech in full.

[7strikes]

Ran out of room on my last comment, but I was going to add that I usually refer to this cover as the "marching band of doom" version... That's why I love it.

[7strikes]

The Clash has been my favourite band since I laid eyes and ears on London Calling. This cover convinced me to see AF last year and it was the best decision I could have made. Ever since that night they've shot up to near the top of my list of favourite bands. The dude below defending "punk" needs to rethink his definition. Of course the original is better, but this is good. They actually made their own version instead of trying to copy it like most bands do. And its menacing.

[staccat0]

As a huge clash fan I'd have to say your dim if this doesnt tickle your fancy. Its a great version.

Last time I checked clash covers suck as a rule. These kids did it proper. I think it suits the spirit of the song.

Being a touring band I'm sure theyve been to Brixton. Even if they havent who gives a shit? Lets just all agree that kids could be listening to much worse. Save your chin stroking for a fucking Dream theatre album.

[1h8munny]

And another thing about emotion-Strummer lived some of his life IN Brixton, many of his friends lived in Brixton on the dole

whereas Arcade Fire are rolling in cash, and i doubt have had much contact with Brixton. Dont get me wrong, i dont mind this version, but I just feel its not in Arcade Fire's nature

[dmux5]

Who do you think has made more to date The Clash which is a pretty mainstream, or The Arcade Fire, which is signed with an independent record label, and gets, probably, and iota of the publicity that The Clash has received?

[edfonmontez]

the clash started punk, were more punk, and will always be more punk than the arcade fire, this cover is shit, its lost all meaning

[Salsashark051]

The Clash actually opened for the Sex Pistols, so time-frame wise, the Sex Pistols were first and "started" punk, which in itself is a false statement.

[cpj93070]

the clash are a lot better than the pistols AND I MEAN A LOT BETTER.

[singlobito]

pistols suks

[parrecords]

Joe strummer was a diplomats son.

[edfonmontez]

if im correct the song was written by paul simonon, who lived in brixton his entire childhood, not strummer

[buster3535]

written *and* performed by simonon. simonon wrote it, took it to strummer who was impressed and encouraged simonon to sing it himself.

the live version on "From Here to Eternity" kicks ass

[jostrum50]

Joe strummer never lived in Brixton in his life.

[popham05]

ok first of all, Arcade Fire is an indie band so of course they aren't going to sound like the Clash's version....

What's wrong with a band trying to do something different for once? That after all is what indie music is all about

[ajuk1]

And the Clash weren't a reggae

[popham05]

Yeah exactly..

but you just cannot compare two different genres of music, even if they played the same song.

because fans of the clash will hate this version, and Arcade Fire fans, like me, will love this version

[PunkAndFun]

They also are reggae...

[dmux5]

What Johnny Cash did to the Nine Inch Nails' song "Hurt", it is the same thing The Arcade Fire have done to the The Clash's song (added emotion to it, and made it sound better).

[1h8munny]

This hasnt got more emotion-its got less. Strummer put his heart and soul into Guns of Brixton. Look at him singing it-he dirtected it straight at the audience. And I'm sure any punk would disagree that it sounds better

[goodkingrory]

Paul Simmonon wrote and did lead vocals on Guns of Brixton. The singing voice sounds absolutely nothing like Joe.

That being said, I've grown up listening to The Clash.. Hell, the only thing I can really remember from my childhood musically is my mom playing their albums, and pretenses aside, I'd say this version is, at the least an admirable attempt.

[Salsashark051]

Paul Simonon wrote and sang Guns of Brixton, not Joe Strummer. Respect.

And yeah, I'll give em a hand for attempting to cover an un-coverable song, but this isn't "Hurt" by any stretch of the imagination.

[rawmbow]

no that doesnt make sense hurt was old redoing new band who sucked

the arcade fire is trying to redo a classic song,

but personally i think this rendition is pretty good.

[Timothydlol]

I think it's absolute shit, really pretentious crap

coming from a pretty neutral clash fan

[theghostsofgiants]

I think it's fucking great, and this is coming from a pretty die hard Clash fan.

[NIlloxsagtSitz]

wonderful!

for me it creates a fantastic atmosphere!

love that version!

[flaubert0]

i think it is quite interesting version.

[jslax27]

Disgrace to The Clash, this is a reggae song turned into some folk crap, and it couldnt sound worse, this is not what Paul Simonon envisioned at all when he wrote this song. Not to mention there is no bass what so ever and thats the main component of the song

[Salsashark051]

Isn't reggae the folk music of Jamaica?

[jslax27]

Regardless this is a completely different genre of music, don't be a smartass

[Salsashark051]

Hah, touche

[pinkled]

what he envisioned? Unless you are Paul Simonon, you do not know that. Rubbish statement. Not a GREAT cover by any means, but interesting.

[pragmaparty]

A Talking Heads tribute band covering The Clash. How bizarre.

[barbotte84]

arcade fire is not a tribute band you dumbass!

[pragmaparty]

My apologies. I didn't know. I just thought because all their songs sound like Talking Heads had done them already I just presumed they were a tribute band.

Who would of thought!

[wolfpartyjoe]

their songs dont even sound like talking heads! just because win butler sings in a deep register does not mean they sound like fucking talking heads!

[pragmaparty]

I agree wholeheartedly with you wolfpartyjoe. Win Butlers voice has nothing to do with it.

Have you listened to Neon Bible? It's a horrendous record. They had exhausted all their influences on their first album(Talking heads for example) and what you're left with is unremarkable. I wanted to like them but...........well... you know my views.

[reoftd]

great!

[seamusstrummer]

All in proper clash tradition. I wonder what Paul thinks. I bet Joe woulda dug it.

[hodaghead]

Dig IT!!!!

[whoiszidane]

ALL SHIT

[conorcar]

how brave of arcade fire to cover the clash

[WhyZedthe250F]

bunch of spanners! the clash dominate this song,

[jamesDsibley]

I actually love this cover. The Arcade Fire turn it into a lumbering, snarling wardog of a song.

Fantastic

[pragmaparty]

A lumbering snarling wardog of a song. Come on now. Really!!!!!!!!

The original way quite tepid I suppose.

Nice one jamesDsibley.

[jamesDsibley]

What? Have difficulty comprehending the fact that someone's using a metaphor on YouTube?

Why don't you try justifying why you disagree with me instead of attacking the fact that I think differently to you.

[pragmaparty]

Oh no not at all. It was a devestating 'metaphor'. Marvellous altogether.You come across as a man with an almost pretenatural understanding of the English language. I'm sure you must be a very accomplished person.

However. You do suggest in your first comment that the original Clash tune is quite tepid in comparison to this lumbering wardog.......

Hold on. Didn't I say that already? Maybe you're thick as shit after all.

[jamesDsibley]

Aww...is someone feeling insecure about their own intelligence? Would someone like a hug?

[pragmaparty]

No thanks sweetheart. I'd be afraid you'd give me a lumbering wardog of a hug.

[namelesstombstone]

Funny how some people complain when a rather unconventional (but otherwise great) cover is done on a well-known song from legend band The Clash.

But I'd like to ask them if they ever complained when Beats International (Fatboy Slim's former project and you know very well he was ex-Housemartins) sampled the groove from Guns of Brixton in their tune Dub Be Good To Me?

Expand your horizons!

:-)

[l1fty]

I think this is actually a pretty good cover, you just have to see it from a neutral view.

[asla92]

this is pure shit

[hielonegro]

Well I think the song from the clash it's unique, but I have to say that the arcade fire have played this song how it has to be... like a requiem to a dead gang.

[exiledbywill]

Great! The chorus gives to the song what it is needed to it!

[dondanteawesome]

im disappointed in this...it lacks the energy of the clash.

its good i suppose, but not GREAT like i had heard it was.

[theghostsofgiants]

Well considering The Clash were a punk band and Arcade Fire are not, of course it lacks the energy of the original, but it has other qualities, such as emotion, that make it work. To me, this version is almost a rallying cry, the kind of thing you'd hear people singing at a protest or something.

[phenumpkin]

my finger is on the trigger of my gun.

[EastCoastHC]

The megaphone is out of place with the rest of the instruments, and they totally eliminated the best elements of the original - the groove from the bass and drums.

[Jonreid1020]

When they kick out your front door

how you gonna come?

With your hands on your head

or on the trigger of your gun?

When the LAW break in

How you gonna go?

Shot down on the pavement

Or waiting on death row?

Prevent this altogether ... Join the NRA

[phenumpkin]

WORD.

[LambrettaofAlbion]

Love how the percussion is so beautifully simple.

[SkeltonKid]

Dammit, I mean "Good artists pay homage, great artists steal."

[SkeltonKid]

Goo dartists pay homage, great artists steal.

[nworg]

They just robbed there ideas from the neofolk scene

[dieterbeelaert3]

NICE THING :D but the clash is still better

[1bobfunk1]

no.

[ork59]

nothing can ever top the clash´s version because they wrote it...the cover can be and is good in its own way but you cant compare ist to the clash because its totally different...however do you know the cover by the german band Die Toten Hosen?

[l1fty]

A great interpretation, but this doesn't top the Clash in my opinion.

[neverneutral]

Nothing tops the Clash. Come on. Awesome cover, but not better. Show some respect for the dead!

[crimsoncitizen]

i think it tops the clash.

[emilola]

i wanna be there :'(

amazing performance!

[andrewmangold]

the arcade fire fans are funny....arcade fire could piss on a log and they would be telling you its the greatest piss on a log ever....but in all honesty they were awesome last night in the brixton academy....great concert.

[briz30]

Better than the clash's version? Slap yourself.

[theonewaytrack]

Wow, this is great. Thanks for sharing!! This might even sound better than the clash's version?

[alexface]

i love this video; i like the way it's shot. & oh yeah i love the band too.

[theghostsofgiants]

Outstanding.

[trogsloth]

Most amazing live footage i've seen in some time