Garageland

The Clash

About Garageland

"Garageland" is a song by English punk rock band The Clash featured as the final track for their 1977 debut album The Clash. The song was written by Joe Strummer as a response to music journalist Charles Shaar Murray, who, after a gig in 1976, wrote a review saying that they were "the kind of garage band who should be returned to the garage immediately". It also served as a declaration to their fans – and their new record company, with which they had signed a contract for £100,000 on 25 January 1977, – that they would still remain the same as they were before the signing.  


Year:
1977
3:12
86 
#2

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Back in the garage with my bullshit detector
Carbon monoxide making sure it's effective
People ringing up making offers for my life
I just want to stay in the garage all night

We're a garage band (oh, oh, oh)
We come from garageland (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Meanwhile things are hotting up in the West End, alright
Contracts in the offices, groups in the night
My bumming slumming friends have all got new boots
And someone just asked me if the group would wear suits

We're a garage band (oh, oh, oh)
We come from garageland (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

I don't want to hear about what the rich are doing
I don't want to go to where, where the rich are going
They think they're so clever, they think they're so right
But the truth is only known by guttersnipes

We're a garage band (oh, oh, oh)
We come from garageland (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Twenty-two singers, but one microphone
Back in the garage
Five guitar players, but one guitar
Back in the garage
Complaints, complaints, what an old bag
Back in the garage, back in the garage
Back in the garage

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The Clash

The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals), Paul Simonon (bass guitar, vocals) and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion). Headon left the group in 1982, and internal friction led to Jones's departure the following year. The group continued with new members, but finally disbanded in early 1986. more »

6 fans

Written by: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES, PAUL SIMONON, TOPPER HEADON

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Background
"Garageland" is a song by British punk rock band, The Clash. It was released in 1977 as part of their self-titled debut album.
Inspiration
The song was written by The Clash's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Joe Strummer, and lead guitarist, Mick Jones as a response to Charles Shaar Murray, a music journalist who had criticized the band's abilities.
Lyrics
The song's title, "Garageland," was derived from Murray's review where he referred to The Clash as a "garage band," implying they were amateurish. The lyrics are a defiant and proud declaration of their origins and punk ethos.
Track Listing
"Garageland" was positioned as the last track of the album "The Clash", lending a fitting end to the band's punk rock declaration.
Interesting Fact
Despite the negative review, "Garageland" later became one of The Clash's most iconic songs and is considered a classic in the punk rock genre.
Live Performances
The band performed "Garageland" during their concerts and it was often included in their set lists. It was considered a crowd favorite and its live performances further amplified its popularity.
Critical Reception
Today, Charles Shaar Murray, the critic who sparked the creation of "Garageland," acknowledges it as one of the band's best tracks. In a 2004 interview, he said that he was "extremely proud" to have played a part in its creation.
Legacy
"Garageland" continues to be celebrated as a significant commentary on the state of Britain at the time, with themes of political dissent and social unrest.
Song Structure
"Garageland" adopts a fast-paced, raw and intense sound that is synonymous with the punk genre. It employs a mixture of power chords and a distinctive base line.
Cultural Impact
"Garageland" is considered an anthem of the DIY ethic, inspiring countless subsequent bands to be proud of their garage roots and musical simplicity. The term "Garageland" has since been adopted by the music industry to describe a certain raw and low-fi musical aesthetic.

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