well, i'm an arab, and honestly i can't find anything racist about the song, i already read camus' book (in french) and i loved it, anyway i like the song
BRAVO!!!! at last someone with a brain commenting on this FANTASTIC song from The Cure. Robert Smith had to go to court for writing this song and he was his own barrister, and he won the case!!!
"Killing an Arab" is a condensed version of "The Stranger" by Albert Camus.Saw the Cure in 1980 at Newcastle Poly....best live band ever! Great vid, brings back memories.
happy to be here Snorkymac. It's one of my favorite books. I also posted a quote from Smith explaining the song. Racism is a reaction from people whose tiny brains can't comprehend the complexity of human existence.
Oh wow, thanks for sharing lywingoth. The Cure were the first gig I went to back in 1997 - it's so great to see clips of what they were like in the 80's.
well done Jan - super if not the better KAA I've seen, and I saw them live several times in the early 80's UK. photographed and had a chat with joe strummer by chance in Nottingham 1983 - great period for new music
CURE Killing An Arab ~ Lyric: ♪♫ Standing on a beach With a gun in my hand Staring at the sea Staring at the sand Staring down the barrel At the Arab on the ground See his open mouth But hear no sound I'm alive I'm dead I'm the stranger Killing an Arab I can turn and walk away Or I can fire the gun Staring at the sky Staring at the sun Whichever I choose It amounts to the same Absolutely nothing I'm alive I'm dead I'm the stranger Killing an Arab Feel the steel butt jump Smooth in my hand Staring at the sea Staring at the sand Staring at myself Reflected in the eyes of The dead man on the beach The dead man On the beach I'm alive I'm dead I'm the stranger Killing an Arab ♪♫ Songwriter(s): Robert James Smith, Laurence Andrew Tolhurst, Michael Stephen Dempsey Copyright: Fiction Songs Ltd. ;-j th@ is all
Just because you guys are old farts doesn't mean that people 9 or 30+ years later won't come along and discover the song. Don't be a smug a hole, just let people discover great music like you did back decades ago when you thought you were cool.
I remember this song from when i was 16 (I'm 37 now), and its bizarre how relevant it has become-especially if you pay close attention to the words--I'm glad its here.
You are correct that is what this song is about!! anyone else has a doubt you can look it up Especially the ones who want to rant about a song they know nothing about!
I guess it was serendipity that I was getting heavily into the Cure at the same time we were studying Camus' L'Étranger in school. Either way, I have always loved the song for the words, the cool rhythm and the mood set by the atmosphere set by the entire piece of music.
hey, fantastic song =) the cure are legend.. the book "L'Etranger" literally translates to "the stranger" but in english its actually called "The Outsider". brilliant book, too. thanks for posting
We are reading The Stranger in class and I just found out today that this song exists. I looked up the lyrics in class and just burst out laughing. Its just exactly like the book. Only that it sounds too excited. I can not imagine Meursault excited.
Yes, that's the best description. The Cure were really pioneers on that area (Of course a lot goes to Joy Division, Gang of Four, Public Image Ltd.), weren't they?
lol!!! i love this song when it came out.and what you said....uncle BOB said"the times they r a change'n" just think if u change a few letters in the last word of your post!!!
I've seen a few version of this on the site and I think this is one of the better ones... I really love the guitar and bass in this song. It's got a slightly punk edge to it, kind of different to a lot of stuff they've done. Oh and finding out what this songs about before making ignorant comments is always good guys! :)
AS well, I certainly wasn't trying to make anyone look stupid. It just so happens that I like this song, the Cure in general and, through luck and the like, had the chance to read The Stranger (It goes by the title 'The Outsider' here in Canada. Much better name, I think). Anyway, back to your search for poor grammar usage. And don't forget the name calling...always a nice touch.
The stranger is my favorite book. When I heard this song it made me so much more hyped on the cure. So I guess some backlash, but it some people like them more for it.
aye--the Cure & Albert Camu :-) I remember reading Camu many, many years ago & it hit me right then & there like a brick : THIS is where they got the idea for "Killing an Arab"!! It was so obvious!
As the poster of the video stated, it is from Camus's THE STRANGER. The lyric is almost taken verbatim from the narrative of the book, from the point of view of Meursault, the main character. [If you are still offended, know that the main character gets his comeuppance!] The cover artwork for the edition of the book I read is a close-up of a man's face, similar to the "Standing on a Beach" cover artwork from 1986.
Interesting answer countesscristo, although my question wasn't directed to you. ArthurJimbo says he'd rather have anarchy than what we have here in the USA.
well, i'm an arab, and honestly i can't find anything racist about the song, i already read camus' book (in french) and i loved it, anyway i like the song
Context is everything.
It's not a racist song, that's why you can't find anything racist about it...for heaven sakes, RS explained that back in the late 70's ❤
This song still rocks all these years later- end of it. And yes Robert does absolutely kill on the guitar!!!
Ive never heard this before.This is the most amazing version of this song,ever.Thank you so much for sharing it.
BRAVO!!!! at last someone with a brain commenting on this FANTASTIC song from The Cure. Robert Smith had to go to court for writing this song and he was his own barrister, and he won the case!!!
Great song !!!! Great band !!! Great decade !!!!
I dig how old the comments are and I'm loving the guitar work. Peace
The song is based on the book 'The Stranger' by Camus. Read it. It's awesome!! Plus, then you may get the song!
i've read the book, and i've been listening earnestly to the cure since 1984. damn good stuff.
GREATEST VIDEO AND GREATEST LIVE FOOTAGE OF THIS GREAT CURE SONG !
After a life time of loathing the cure... I finally reread "The Stranger"... and got it. This is a great song, and I was a fool.
"Killing an Arab" is a condensed version of "The Stranger" by Albert Camus.Saw the Cure in 1980 at Newcastle Poly....best live band ever! Great vid, brings back memories.
pure poetry! early Cure...i LoVe it!!!!!! thanks for the upload
happy to be here Snorkymac. It's one of my favorite books. I also posted a quote from Smith explaining the song.
Racism is a reaction from people whose tiny brains can't comprehend the complexity of human existence.
Oh wow, thanks for sharing lywingoth. The Cure were the first gig I went to back in 1997 - it's so great to see clips of what they were like in the 80's.
We just finished reading The Stranger last week and listened to this great song in class today
well done Jan - super if not the better KAA I've seen, and I saw them live several times in the early 80's UK. photographed and had a chat with joe strummer by chance in Nottingham 1983 - great period for new music
Omg! How have I never seen this!?! Pure gold!!!
CURE
Killing An Arab ~ Lyric:
♪♫
Standing on a beach
With a gun in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring down the barrel
At the Arab on the ground
See his open mouth
But hear no sound
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an Arab
I can turn and walk away
Or I can fire the gun
Staring at the sky
Staring at the sun
Whichever I choose
It amounts to the same
Absolutely nothing
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an Arab
Feel the steel butt jump
Smooth in my hand
Staring at the sea
Staring at the sand
Staring at myself
Reflected in the eyes of
The dead man on the beach
The dead man
On the beach
I'm alive
I'm dead
I'm the stranger
Killing an Arab
♪♫
Songwriter(s): Robert James Smith, Laurence Andrew Tolhurst, Michael Stephen Dempsey
Copyright: Fiction Songs Ltd.
;-j th@ is all
Fuck you Fuck you Fuck you Fuck امريكا
@@Dg-zr2nd why?
Good statement from the uploader! I wish more people here would act like you.
Great video and song, one of my favorite songs.
mi god, robert smith looks like a kid there!!! thanks for posting, this is one of their best early song.
Thanks! Good quality videos of early-The Cure are rare. Great guitar solo.
Thank you very much for putting this great song and performance up! Had never seen it before.
I love the opening, the middle and the end of this song.
Love this song, love the band, awesome to see it here!
I love the guitar playing in this great song.
simply the best song they made
YA GODDAMN RIGHT
If you want to FEEL music from within your soul, than The Cure is for you
I love their early work! it can be so hard to find their early stuff - thank you
lmao I've never heard this song but when I saw the title I automatically had a feeling it would be The Stranger.
awesome. never seen this vid before and I Love the cure. thanks!
AAAAAHHH! I LOVE THE CURE!!! AAAAAAHHH! Yeah, really good job digging this up. Kudos to you, ol' chap. You rock. Seriously.
Talk about music! Is only a nice song! I like The Cure, Great Music!! I remember my "dark ages" great time!! Thanks for video.
I really wish we didn't need to keep explaining this fucking song.
pipperoooo Anyway...will be absurd to explain it or not.
Just because you guys are old farts doesn't mean that people 9 or 30+ years later won't come along and discover the song.
Don't be a smug a hole, just let people discover great music like you did back decades ago when you thought you were cool.
Jujujju espectacular loco una masa bro súper gracias man...
This song is just perfect for the book, I loved "L'Etranger"!
man this song is awesome
super morceau de musique et c est sur super livre aussi
wow, amazing this is a great song.......I would have loved to have been there to see it live!
I love this song so much.😊😇🥰😍🤗
This is what youtube is all about! Thanks for this amazing footage.
I remember this song from when i was 16 (I'm 37 now), and its bizarre how relevant it has become-especially if you pay close attention to the words--I'm glad its here.
You are correct that is what this song is about!! anyone else has a doubt you can look it up Especially the ones who want to rant about a song they know nothing about!
great live version. really getting into the cure again.
I guess it was serendipity that I was getting heavily into the Cure at the same time we were studying Camus' L'Étranger in school. Either way, I have always loved the song for the words, the cool rhythm and the mood set by the atmosphere set by the entire piece of music.
I remember this song in 1979. They just don't write them like they used to!
LONG LIVE THE CURE!
Mto Boa... keria ter presenciado esse show!
neat! robert sounds so cool live!!
Oh wow you managed to get a tea reference in there, well done! That's right we all drink tea...
so young; so beautiful: exquisite existential angst.
hey, fantastic song =) the cure are legend.. the book "L'Etranger" literally translates to "the stranger" but in english its actually called "The Outsider". brilliant book, too. thanks for posting
un excelente tema, grandeeeeeeee,
the cure.........
Im going to see the Cure in march again, I'm so excited.
Fantastic. Thanks for that.
We are reading The Stranger in class and I just found out today that this song exists. I looked up the lyrics in class and just burst out laughing. Its just exactly like the book. Only that it sounds too excited. I can not imagine Meursault excited.
i loveeeee this song! mr. smith looked so different back then.
My fav book beggining!!! awesome.
thanks for the info man! i want to read it now. damn the people who make quick judgments! :)
wow....nice rare video....love it!
Yes, that's the best description. The Cure were really pioneers on that area (Of course a lot goes to Joy Division, Gang of Four, Public Image Ltd.), weren't they?
I will see them next friday at the MSG here in NYC. The Cure Rocks.....!! And I rock with The Cure.....!! lol
cure and camus = irresistible combination!
lol!!! i love this song when it came out.and what you said....uncle BOB said"the times they r a change'n" just think if u change a few letters in the last word of your post!!!
This is just so damn good!
i love this song it sounds so beautiful and cool!!!!
this is gold, The Cure rock!!
this song is what made me a Cure fan!
my all time favourite the cure...
New Wave, my friend.
you can find it as "the stranger" also. It's a classic reflection on existentialism.
Albert Camus liked this
Super rare Fender Jazzmaster 60's model. Sounds sick.
He freaking rocks ,I didnt know he could play like that.
The Best version they did
Also I should add this particular music video you watched was done in 1979. Hard to believe huh? Holds up after all these years.
Awesome solo!
I've seen a few version of this on the site and I think this is one of the better ones... I really love the guitar and bass in this song. It's got a slightly punk edge to it, kind of different to a lot of stuff they've done. Oh and finding out what this songs about before making ignorant comments is always good guys! :)
AS well, I certainly wasn't trying to make anyone look stupid. It just so happens that I like this song, the Cure in general and, through luck and the like, had the chance to read The Stranger (It goes by the title 'The Outsider' here in Canada. Much better name, I think). Anyway, back to your search for poor grammar usage. And don't forget the name calling...always a nice touch.
cool song, he really knows how to play the guitar!!!
this song is super cool, cure is awesome
so much energy!
The stranger is my favorite book. When I heard this song it made me so much more hyped on the cure. So I guess some backlash, but it some people like them more for it.
I love the book and the song!!
luv the book!
and the song! :D
that book is great.
They adapted the song very well n_n
This is my favourite Cure song.
aye--the Cure & Albert Camu :-) I remember reading Camu many, many years ago & it hit me right then & there like a brick : THIS is where they got the idea for "Killing an Arab"!! It was so obvious!
actually better than the album version... AMAZING!
greeeeaaat song love it!!!!!
great song, I love it.
This sounds soo much better here than it does on the album.
The guitar riff on this song is amazing.
Favorite Cure song
As the poster of the video stated, it is from Camus's THE STRANGER. The lyric is almost taken verbatim from the narrative of the book, from the point of view of Meursault, the main character. [If you are still offended, know that the main character gets his comeuppance!] The cover artwork for the edition of the book I read is a close-up of a man's face, similar to the "Standing on a Beach" cover artwork from 1986.
Interesting answer countesscristo, although my question wasn't directed to you. ArthurJimbo says he'd rather have anarchy than what we have here in the USA.
I got into so much trouble when I was a kid because I listened to this song - my mother had a fit
dude, i fucking love them,
its them, the accents and the style of theyr music that is killer.
The best band ever the cure !!!
Thanks!!
i love this song
Amazing!ROBERT IS A GENIUS!
the song is about book from Albert Camus, The Stranger