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The Ulster Defence Association is a paramilitary and vigilante group which operated 1971 until 2007 (and remains active, but has renounced violence). Ostensibly formed in Northern Ireland to retaliate against attacks on Protestants, it began a campaign of terrorist attacks, mostly directed towards innocent Catholic civilians
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The People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola is a formerly Marxist-Leninist party which fought first for independence from Portugal, and then against rival parties in the subsequent decolonization conflict – an endless series of military conflicts which lasted from 1961 until 2002
The party subsequently declared itself to be socially democratic, and retains power in Angola (where it is accused of various electoral and human rights abuses)
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What is this?
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What is this?
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The Clash were in no way “working class” or poor. Joe Strummer’s father was a diplomat, and most of the band went to middle class selective grammar schools.
Interestingly, The Clash’s manager, Bernie Rhodes bought a large house in Notting Hill, giving rise to a parody of “White Riot” thus:
White mansion, I want a mansion
White mansion a mansion of my own.
White riot, a riot of my own
White riot, I wanna riot
White riot, a riot of my own The Clash – White Riot
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The Notting Hill Carnival, organised by London’s Afro-Caribbean population, has taken place every summer since 1964. In the 1970s it was plagued by violence, allegedly due to persecution by the police.
The song is an empathetic answer to the “riot” at Notting Hill by the young white men who were The Clash.
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A reference to the poem/song by the late Gil Scott-Heron. This song appeared on the soundtrack of the 1999 film The Hurricane and was originally going to feature Gil Scott-Heron singing the hook, but a demo version that featured Yasiin singing the hook ended up being the final product that we hear today.
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man, with a gun over there (Yeah, that's right, hah haha)
Tellin me, I got to beware
It's time we stop, children what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin, down
(Aiyo, I don't think they heard you, Stevie
Kick it to em again one more time)
It's time we stop, children what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin, down Public Enemy (Ft. Stephen Stills) – He Got Game (Album Version)
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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The Irish Republican Army was a revolutionary militant organization which waged a guerrilla campaign throughout the 1910s to achieve Irish independence. Following the 1921 Anglo-Irish treaty, the organization split, with those in favour of the treaty (the Irish National Army) defeating their rivals.
Nonetheless, the anti-treaty members of IRA waged a terrorist campaign, which was revived with fervour later in the century, during the 60s-90s in what became known as the Troubles
The IRA’s goal wasn’t anarchy in any sense of the word, but the full ownership of the island of Ireland by the Republic of Ireland (or “Irish Republic): they decided the best way to do this was through violence against civilians and politicians, suggesting that Rotten really just wants violence, rather than any political revolution.
Rather than “suggesting that Rotten really just wants violence,” Rotten seems opposed to the actions of the IRA. The first three regimes listed in this verse are noted for their crimes against civilians, which shouldn’t happen in the UK.
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John Lydon is a second-generation Irish Londoner. Back when he was Johnny Rotten, the UDA was targeting Irish Catholics while the IRA was attacking London (and other English cities). By putting the two groups side-by-side, even rhyming them so their names seem barely distinct, he hints that they’re as bad as each other and he himself could easily be a target of both.
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While saying this he has a voice crack
16
He’s saying it shouldn’t matter what country you’re born in or what God you worship. Everyone should have equivalent rights and nobody should be poor or deprived of their liberty in the name of God, country, or even anarchy but realistically we know that people tend to form groups and camps and follow the wealthiest and best educated leaders that share their beliefs. Of course we know it’s all B.S. but they can’t immigrate or they need the money so they have no choice but to obey.