Behind The Song Episode 46: The Clash "Rock The Casbah"

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  • Опубліковано 4 вер 2024
  • In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda Lane details the lyrics of "Rock The Casbah" by The Clash. It's a song about rising up from oppression, but it started out as a love song. Janda also talks about the reasons why The Clash became known as "the only band that matters" and shares the story of that time she met the late Joe Strummer.
    Music: Christian Lane
    Video Director: Michael Collier
    About Janda:
    Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she now calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam. She is a transplant from Los Angeles, where she was a video director at Fender, Executive Producer at Yahoo Music, playlist curator for ITunes, worked in rock management with artists like the Foo Fighters and Beck, was on the radio at KCRW, and she was a DJ at online radio pioneer site Soundbreak. She has not worked a day in her life.
    Follow Janda on Facebook and Instagram @jandalaneradio and on Twitter @jandalane.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 111

  • @EliPorterMahn
    @EliPorterMahn 8 місяців тому +12

    Joe Strummer kept the band from being corrupted by mainstream expectations imo, every band needs a leader

  • @DrTazMage
    @DrTazMage 2 роки тому +23

    "Should I stay or should I go" hit the charts in the US. and peaked at number 13 on Billboards Top Tracks

  • @eamonnbohan
    @eamonnbohan Рік тому +18

    Topper Headon joined the Clash in 1977, not 1979. He first played live with them in France on 26 April 1977. I saw him playing in May 77 on the White Riot tour. The 1st record he made with them was Complete Control b/w City of the Dead released in October 1977.

    • @the_lonely_smoker
      @the_lonely_smoker Рік тому +2

      theres a few things wrong

    • @Shannon_Gaines
      @Shannon_Gaines 10 місяців тому +1

      That’s awesome. Reading the comments it seems like as the above says more than a bit of this vid is wrong

    • @KnockOut242
      @KnockOut242 5 місяців тому

      I’m guessing you’re a mid-50’s baby?

  • @outboundflight4455
    @outboundflight4455 3 роки тому +22

    5:31 Meaning of the Song and its Lyrics

  • @djpookie2000
    @djpookie2000 3 роки тому +15

    Fun listen about one of my favorite songs ever. I love the drums.

  • @julianmarquezrodriguez1762
    @julianmarquezrodriguez1762 3 роки тому +17

    Amazing band and song analysis! Loved strummer’s playlist story 🙌🏼

    • @behindthesongpodcast
      @behindthesongpodcast  3 роки тому +2

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! That encounter with Strummer remains one of the rock highlights of my life. Strummer forever! Thank you! -Janda

  • @user-id7zy7gy9h
    @user-id7zy7gy9h 6 місяців тому +1

    Love love this song. I remember taking the cassette to Italy so my cousins could hear it 🎉

  • @zapapelttari8226
    @zapapelttari8226 7 місяців тому +3

    Very interesting, thank you. My understanding the cover of Combat Rock was shot in Thailand. Anyway, great song.

  • @hansschjlberg172
    @hansschjlberg172 Рік тому +4

    One issue only: the cover photo of Combat Rock was not shot in the US, but in Asia. I think it was in Thailand.

    • @borbetomagus
      @borbetomagus Рік тому +3

      Pennie Smith shot the cover photo for "Combat Rock" in March 1982 outside Bangkok in Thailand on a deserted railway line east of the Makkasan train station. Pennie Smith also shot the photo used for the cover of "London Calling" which was taken at the Palladium in New York City on September 20, 1979. The music video for "Rock the Casbah" was filmed in Austin, Texas by director Don Letts on June 8-9, 1982.

  • @gerrymeyer813
    @gerrymeyer813 4 роки тому +16

    The Clash were awesome

  • @RASTANAUT
    @RASTANAUT 2 роки тому +13

    As soon as I heard it on a Sopranos clip, I had to watch the whole series! It's one of those songs I can hear at least once every year of my life til I depart. It just has a certain mystique that helps it endure over time.

    • @behindthesongpodcast
      @behindthesongpodcast  2 роки тому +3

      I couldn’t agree more!

    • @seaacow6347
      @seaacow6347 2 роки тому

      Haha, the clip where Tony chases Phil about his money. I watched that ep last week, I’m about a dozen episodes from finishing the series and love it, but at also a bit sad that there will be no more episodes. Great song nonetheless.

    • @lycheeedits5780
      @lycheeedits5780 8 місяців тому

      exact scenario I'm in now, It's been a near daily listen for a year now haha

  • @j.rebekah8605
    @j.rebekah8605 Рік тому +3

    I'm not sure if its my favorite song of all time, but it's in the running.
    Learning it on the piano this week.
    Cool channel, thanks!

  • @sonboogie
    @sonboogie 5 місяців тому +1

    Appreciate the song even more now.

  • @SavvyMuhon
    @SavvyMuhon Рік тому +5

    There’s something so satisfying about the way she says, “Rock the Casbah”

    • @Drumnedwin7
      @Drumnedwin7 6 місяців тому +1

      For it’s the “Sharif don’t like it” part lol

    • @user-wf5lo9hk7b
      @user-wf5lo9hk7b 4 місяці тому

      I was just gonna say all of this😂😂😂 that part

  • @kellyj.azania4371
    @kellyj.azania4371 3 роки тому +8

    Woo, girl! Thank you for explaining and breaking it all down!
    I remember where I was when I first heard this! It was my first day as a 12th-grader. As I walked into the school cafeteria for breakfast, my best friend, Paula ran up to me all excited. She couldn't WAIT to catch me up on the local neighborhood news (I'd spent the summer on my grandmother's farm). Back then, our school would play the radio over the p.a.--- "Rock The Casbah" came on. Mind blown! I'm like, "What is this?!". Paula's response, "Girrrl, that's THE CLASH! We gotta catch you up!"
    Those were the days.

  • @johnolmos8670
    @johnolmos8670 Рік тому +1

    Song was extremely ahead of its time. Very awesome way to rebel against the middle East’s embargo on western music

  • @tomharry9465
    @tomharry9465 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for this. I have a greater appreciation of this song after this and a YT short I saw. I'd still like to hear how it would have turned out had it remained a love song.

  • @SunCity95
    @SunCity95 Рік тому +2

    Very interesting 👍🏼 liked how you dissected the lyrics. Came across your video by chance. Glad I did.

  • @theclashcalling_
    @theclashcalling_ Рік тому +3

    The band's first gig was indeed with the Sex Pistols but was in fact on July 4th at Sheffield's Black Swan pub. AKA 'The Mucky Duck' (!)

  • @bigfish6442
    @bigfish6442 3 місяці тому

    Over the top analogy Janda...Beeaauuttiiffuull...Thanks🤘🤘🤘

  • @user-wf5lo9hk7b
    @user-wf5lo9hk7b 4 місяці тому

    I honestly never liked this song or should I stay or should I go? I just didn’t and now that you’ve explained all of this including what the band was going through at that time and each meaning with historical fact I have a new respect for this song and for the members, thank you so much.

  • @pentegarn1
    @pentegarn1 8 місяців тому +1

    Well "Sharif don't like it" makes total sense now. And still has meaning on the streets right now.

  • @ivanfranco2363
    @ivanfranco2363 2 роки тому +5

    You did your homework, lady! Loved the lyric explanation! It was a big eye opener!!!

  • @KnockOut242
    @KnockOut242 5 місяців тому

    I’ve always loved this song but never knew any of the backstory to it. I am a sixties baby and grew up listening to The Clash.

  • @KingRanchW
    @KingRanchW Рік тому +5

    always heard it the sheriff don't like it 😂 i will continue to sing it that way

    • @SavvyMuhon
      @SavvyMuhon Рік тому +1

      Same with me always saying, “Rock the cash box” as a kid lol. I always just imagined the Clash were robbing a dive bar or something

    • @nomiddlenamenmn427
      @nomiddlenamenmn427 Рік тому

      I believe the sheriff still doesn’t like it 😂

  • @marioduran7913
    @marioduran7913 7 місяців тому +1

    I love you!!

  • @vthyaga
    @vthyaga 2 роки тому +1

    Excellent work, BTS!

  • @stoneygamer2094
    @stoneygamer2094 7 місяців тому +1

    I love ur channel can you do don henley the end of the innocence

  • @johanhemblom446
    @johanhemblom446 Рік тому +1

    Wow! Amazing sum up!

  • @zappababe8577
    @zappababe8577 Рік тому +2

    Sad that the drummer didn't get to be in the video, when it was his song and he was so talented. Don't do heroin kids, stick to weed and you'll be okay.

  • @juevosrantsyoutube
    @juevosrantsyoutube Рік тому +1

    great video thanks for making this

  • @cream7947
    @cream7947 Рік тому +1

    This is DOPE ❤

  • @ianmcbride412
    @ianmcbride412 Рік тому +5

    Met Strummer the last time he played Dublin with the mescaleros, and kept each other company till dawn, a pure gentlemen with hollow legs,
    Felt he was wrong dumping both Topper n Mick, 🧷😎🎵

  • @tbone2859
    @tbone2859 6 місяців тому +1

    I always thought it was “ drop your bombs using the Memorex” Damn, 42 years getting this banger wrong😂

  • @tacticaltuna
    @tacticaltuna 6 місяців тому

    Way more interesting than i expected

  • @phoenixbleu1730
    @phoenixbleu1730 Рік тому +14

    This video is extremely underrated. This is musical, cultural and political history all wrapped up in one amazing song!
    Sherif don't like it!

  • @TheMajestic-band1
    @TheMajestic-band1 8 місяців тому

    Topper Headon said in a recent interview that it was Norman Watt-Roy played bass on "Rock the Casbah"

  • @phishin23451
    @phishin23451 Місяць тому

    I can’t tell if you like or dislike them

  • @cestwhat1317
    @cestwhat1317 2 роки тому +5

    Amazing analysis!

  • @purpledancerbmw5279
    @purpledancerbmw5279 Місяць тому

    Nikki and Kamala need to join forces and Rock the Casbah! Let's go ladies!!!!☮️

  • @tageschance5501
    @tageschance5501 2 місяці тому +1

    🤩👍🏽❤️‍🔥🙌🏾😍

  • @marctopel7982
    @marctopel7982 4 роки тому +10

    Umm, you got the lyrics wrong. It should be "Sharlene don't like it, rock the cashbox"

    • @behindthesongpodcast
      @behindthesongpodcast  4 роки тому +2

      I think you meant “the sheep don’t like it.” 🎶

    • @jameshalbert181
      @jameshalbert181 3 роки тому +2

      My ex wife is named Sharlene this has real meaning to me she's a total materialist

    • @lethargicstove2024
      @lethargicstove2024 2 роки тому +6

      Think you meant “Shawty don’t right click, rock the cat box “

    • @charlenerevell7543
      @charlenerevell7543 2 роки тому +3

      Lol. This song came on the radio today while we were traveling & my daughter thought it was my name....Charlene. I read the lyrics & listened to the explanation. This song is still a hit in 2021!!! 💯

    • @charlenerevell7543
      @charlenerevell7543 2 роки тому +1

      @@lethargicstove2024 Lol. Lol

  • @chewacan
    @chewacan Рік тому +3

    Too cool! Great job.

  • @heathcornbeef
    @heathcornbeef Рік тому

    Kia ora hello hay my favorite band ever my ex wife and i named our oldest son 16 years old now Strummer Clash Palace ✌️👍

  • @publicalias8172
    @publicalias8172 4 роки тому +6

    I guess Gerry liked the clash

  • @FerdinandDGr8
    @FerdinandDGr8 Рік тому +1

    Awesome 👌 class A s**t

  • @cswann8
    @cswann8 Рік тому +1

    Hmm...I'm early. I guess I can lay down the drum, piano and bass tracks myself. Legend!
    Also how in hell does this have less than 200 likes after 2+ years?

    • @inspectre27
      @inspectre27 Рік тому

      Because there's about a million errors in it?

  • @feelkollins
    @feelkollins Рік тому

    The cover was shot by Pennie Smith in Thailand not Austin, fwiw

  • @inspectre27
    @inspectre27 Рік тому +1

    OK, I know the person above (who makes a lot of mistakes in this video) and some of the internet lyrics pages both say that the line is "electric camel drum", but don't you think that it could possibly (and more feasibly) be "electric kettle drum"? Electric camel drum is nonsense, but electric kettle drum is a play on words using the terms "electric kettle" (which every good English household must have) and "kettle drums" (also known as timpani), creating a sort of portmanteau phrase. So don't you think it makes more sense for the phrase to use "kettle" rather than "camel"? Any response, Behind the Song?

    • @brettblyth1857
      @brettblyth1857 8 місяців тому +1

      A traditional Arabian method of playing the drums by a camel carrying a man with double drums which he is beating with sticks.

  • @roybennett9284
    @roybennett9284 2 роки тому +2

    Joe strummer..sadly missed...heart attack early 50s...get checked early guys with your medico.

  • @purpledancerbmw5279
    @purpledancerbmw5279 Місяць тому

    Nikki and Kamala need to join forces and Rock The Casbah! Fix this country!!

  • @DeanMartinson-ci3lk
    @DeanMartinson-ci3lk Рік тому +3

    the oil down the dessert way has been shaken to the top.

  • @peterschwarz7158
    @peterschwarz7158 2 роки тому

    Is this Megan Mullally?

  • @jameshalbert181
    @jameshalbert181 3 роки тому +4

    Mentally tardated is what I always heard

  • @greggstrasser5791
    @greggstrasser5791 2 роки тому +1

    11:37
    Let's just gloss over it not being kosher.

  • @crushsatan
    @crushsatan Рік тому +1

    The Iranians probably wouldn't be so uptight about Western music if we hadn't overthrown their government.

  • @escapefelicity2913
    @escapefelicity2913 Рік тому +1

    You get A+ in elocution

  • @riff2072
    @riff2072 Рік тому

    Words written on a napkin. Most valued....

  • @gerrymeyer813
    @gerrymeyer813 4 роки тому +5

    The Clash were awesome

  • @gerrymeyer813
    @gerrymeyer813 4 роки тому +4

    The Clash were awesome

  • @gerrymeyer813
    @gerrymeyer813 4 роки тому +4

    The Clash were awesome

  • @gerrymeyer813
    @gerrymeyer813 4 роки тому +4

    The Clash were awesome

    • @zappababe8577
      @zappababe8577 Рік тому +1

      I think you were trying to tell people The Clash were awesome, but I'm not quite sure.

    • @brettblyth1857
      @brettblyth1857 8 місяців тому

      I'm afraid "awesome" is not an accurate English discription for a British band, it's an adjective that grates on the ear, so please refrain.