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The Clash — Police and Thieves
Album: The Clash
Avg rating:
7.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 854









Released: 1979
Length: 5:52
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Police and thieves in the streets
Oh yeah!
Scaring the nation with their guns and ammunition
Police and thieves in the street
Oh yeah!
Fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition

From Genesis to Revelation
The next generation will be hear me
From Genesis to Revelation
The next generation will be hear me

And all the crowd comes in day by day
No one stop it in anyway
And all the peacemaker turn war officer
Hear what I say

[Vocal ad lib]

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
From Genesis oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah

Scaring, fighting the nation
Shooting, shooting their guns and ammunition

Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah
Here come, here come, here come
The station is bombed
Get out get out get out you people
If you don't wanna get blown up
Comments (120)add comment
An easy 10, but these go to 11.
When The Clash Police and Thieves is played on My Favorites, the title and album cover that's shown is The Red House Painters.

Which obviously a glitch in the database.
Oh thank you PSD!  Much better than that Future Islands tripe.
 lemmoth wrote:


How dare you denigrate the late great Lester Bangs.

 
bangs

 

almostfamousdetroitsuckstshirt
Thank you, Junior Murvin. May you rest in peace.
Can't stand the primitive bass!
 Proclivities wrote:

"Jeeves, fetch my monocle and my Rick Wakeman 8-track tapes."
 
ROTFLOL!!!  Nice!!!
The only band that matters.  Not my favorite, so it only rates a 9 ;-)   Long live rebel music!

{#Bananajam}     {#Drummer}     {#Dancingbanana_2}
dunno...
 tg3k wrote:

Listening to simplistic crap ain't gonna make it any better. Sorry. Not saying you're wrong for liking it, but the fact that you do like it doesn't mean everyone else should.
 
Sorry, but the fact that you deem this "simplistic" does not make it "crap".  Perhaps you think rock music is supposed to be sophisticated and high-brow, to only be savored with a snifter of Benedictine, but that doesn't mean everyone else should.
Clifton Webb
"Jeeves, fetch my monocle and my Rick Wakeman 8-track tapes."
One of my favorites from a GREAT band!
 scrubbrush wrote:


you're missing an apostrophe and an e.

othewise, i agree. good song, great band

 
Sorry, I share this login with a guy with a humanities degree who can't figure out grammar.

 tg3k wrote:

Listening to simplistic crap ain't gonna make it any better. Sorry. Not saying you're wrong for liking it, but the fact that you do like it doesn't mean everyone else should.
 
The plodding beat of this song gets tiresome. If you could strip out the lyrics from a lot of early Clash songs, karaoke style, you'd be left with a garage band. And their singing ain't nothin' to write home about. 

I get that the Clash wanted a stripped-down sound to move away from the over-produced, flaccid mainstream music of the era. On some  of their songs, that really works. But for me, a lot of the band's early stuff is now a tortured nostalgia trip. 
 neuticle wrote:

You need to listen to them some more..your missing something

 

you're missing an apostrophe and an e.

othewise, i agree. good song, great band

 neuticle wrote:

You need to listen to them some more..your missing something
 
Listening to simplistic crap ain't gonna make it any better. Sorry. Not saying you're wrong for liking it, but the fact that you do like it doesn't mean everyone else should.
 sirdroseph wrote:
The most overrated band in the history of bands. I am not saying they are all that bad, they are ok, but they are not nor have they ever lived up to the title of "the only band that matters!"{#No} Now, Joe Strummer's solo work, that is another story, he was fantastic once he got on his own and found his own voice!{#Notworthy}
 
You need to listen to them some more..your missing something

Nice!
 lemmoth wrote:


How dare you denigrate the late great Lester Bangs.
 
V appropriate track for the state wot Britain is in this week..well southern britain anyway!

 sirdroseph wrote:
The most overrated band in the history of bands. I am not saying they are all that bad, they are ok, but they are not nor have they ever lived up to the title of "the only band that matters!"{#No} Now, Joe Strummer's solo work, that is another story, he was fantastic once he got on his own and found his own voice!{#Notworthy}
 

How dare you denigrate the late great Lester Bangs.
{#Yawn}
De lo mejor en los 70´s, digamos preparando el camino para entrar en los 80´s con todavía un mejor album de los mejores London Calling lanzado el 14 de diciembre de 1979, BIEN!!!!

Además este es el comentario 100!!!

And for does that wonder, here we go in English.

From the besto of the 70´s let say paving the way to enter the 80´s with yet another of the best album ever made London Calling released on 14 of december 1979, Great!!!!!  {#Drummer}

And this is comment 100!!!!
For some reason, this is the only cut off the orig. UK version of this album which has been
deemed worthy of airplay here on RP as well as here in Chi. on our local original "alternative"
radio station (WXRT).  And for that, I'm quite disappointed.  The whole damn thing ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!



A band that never grab my attention. Used to play some of these at area discos, night spots but just never struck me as special. 

This should have a higher rating! Jeez.



 spaceman wrote:
Whoa, spooky... I was just typing some dummy text ("hey ho let's go"), and pronto - The Clash start playing on RP.
Bill must be psychic.
 
Now if the Ramones had started playing then ...

When I type dummy text I usually type the same thing - "hey ho, let's go".

 copymonkey wrote:
How 'bout Janie Jones from this record Bill? I came late to the Clash party but I remember thinking, I can only imagine what people must've thought when they unsuspectingly put the needle on groove #1 and on came "Janie Jones". It probably only took a few seconds for them to realize that popular music would never be the same again.
edit: after I wrote this, I realized—records only HAVE one groove. duh.
 
I think the phrase you were looking for is "first cut." But it's groovy with me either way.

The most overrated band in the history of bands. I am not saying they are all that bad, they are ok, but they are not nor have they ever lived up to the title of "the only band that matters!"{#No} Now, Joe Strummer's solo work, that is another story, he was fantastic once he got on his own and found his own voice!{#Notworthy}
 j7 wrote:

First, I'd like to send sympathy for being a Swede stuck in Texico.
Secondly, this is not the only band that mattered.
This is not stellar Clash.

 
well thanks for setting us straight there j7!.......{#Cowboy}
Hard to sit still here at work with this playing in my headphones.  {#Dancingbanana}{#Music}{#Dancingbanana_2}
How 'bout Janie Jones from this record Bill? I came late to the Clash party but I remember thinking, I can only imagine what people must've thought when they unsuspectingly put the needle on groove #1 and on came "Janie Jones". It probably only took a few seconds for them to realize that popular music would never be the same again.
edit: after I wrote this, I realized—records only HAVE one groove. duh.
 SweTex wrote:
The only band that really matters on the only radio station that really matters.
 
First, I'd like to send sympathy for being a Swede stuck in Texico.
Secondly, this is not the only band that mattered.
This is not stellar Clash.

 iscoot4peace wrote:
How about adding the Junior Murvin original?  It's awesome.
   Yeah...I've heard that recently.  It's great.


How about adding the Junior Murvin original?  It's awesome.
 suebee3 wrote:
Oh, I get it!  Martha Reeves - then Police and Thieves!  Ok, it all makes sense now!
 
You trying to say something there, Sue?


Oh, I get it!  Martha Reeves - then Police and Thieves!  Ok, it all makes sense now!
The only band that really matters on the only radio station that really matters.
I think I prefer the original, but I can jam to this. {#Dancingbanana}
Whoa, spooky... I was just typing some dummy text ("hey ho let's go"), and pronto - The Clash start playing on RP.
Bill must be psychic.
 peter_james_bond wrote:

Yes he does, even if they are written with blue font colour.
 

{#High-five}
This reminds me of my time in jail....me and the boys from E Block would sing this to the pretty boys in the yard.

worked some nice harmonies too.
Probably my favorite version. The Clash were a great band, love to hear them on RP...Thanks!

+1 = 9. That bass line, those drums, that accent.  Pardon me while I go tear a hole in my t-shirt.
A song about radar guns into a song about the police, interesting set!
 peter_james_bond wrote:

Yes he does, even if they are written with blue font colour.
 
ha!

 Mandible wrote:
Does anyone know if Bill reads our comments?
 
Yes he does, even if they are written with blue font colour.
Does anyone know if Bill reads our comments?
 jmsmy wrote:
Hi Bill - play some Sandinista - it's a great album -
 
Only one track on file - Washington  Bullets. Uploading anyone?
Thirty years on I still love this.  I used to have mix tape of all the Clash reggae songs and dubs run together, it was great car tape.
 Limpopoking wrote:
Nah... Sandanista, BOTH discs, by far! Play some Bill... Show 'em!

 
crinky wrote:
Best. Clash. Album. Ever!
  
 
What do you mean BOTH?  There were THREE discs.  I think it probably could/should have been edited down to two or even one disc, but that's just my opinion.  Seems like the price was low enough that you sort of got three for the price of two.

Oh, and I like this song.  Also the Junior Marvin original version.

 SparkyMarky wrote:
Lily, Diazo and the one underneath who I have forgotten - YOU ARE RIGHT!! So, with such imnpeccable taste, go and vote for the Blues ;)
 

Done!
Nah... Sandanista, BOTH discs, by far! Play some Bill... Show 'em!

 
crinky wrote:
Best. Clash. Album. Ever!
 


Lily, Diazo and the one underneath who I have forgotten - YOU ARE RIGHT!! So, with such imnpeccable taste, go and vote for the Blues ;)
Oh yeah!

More of a 10 there could never be.

Why won't this @#$*% thing go to 11?!
KICK ASS!!  {#Dancingbanana_2}
10

 Bocephus wrote:
This song holds up well after all the years...
 

So does a Twinkie but ya wouldn't wanna eat it.
Simple, effortless perfection.
It was 26 years ago this month that I saw the Clash open up for the WHO at Shea Stadium. Long live The Clash.
One of the best bands of the 20th century.
Reminds me very much of Weezer.
Thank you for not playing "Rock the Casbah".  Love this song, hate that one. 
NorthernLad wrote:
OH YEAH!!
scaring the nation with their guns and ammunition!
oh...yea-aheah!!!
OH YEAH!!
Bocephus wrote:
This song holds up well after all the years...
It really does. Not surprising since this was fairly ahead of its time wayyyyyy back then
More Clash, please!
Meh. Never have gotten the Clash... but the people who like the Clash REALLY like them.
Please Bill play the Junior Murvin version too!
Best. Clash. Album. Ever!
Y E A H !
Personally, hideous. Nice bass tho.
Police and thieves in the streets Oh yeah! Scaring the nation with their guns and ammunition Police and thieves in the street Oh yeah! Fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition From Genesis to Revelation The next generation will be hear me From Genesis to Revelation The next generation will be hear me And all the crowd comes in day by day No one stop it in anyway And all the peacemaker turn war officer Hear what I say Vocal ad lib Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah From Genesis oh yeah Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah Scaring, fighting the nation Shooting, shooting their guns and ammunition Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah Police, police, police and thieves oh yeah Here come, here come, here come The station is bombed Get out get out get out you people If you don't wanna get blown up Vocal ad lib
horseplayer wrote:
oh yeah.
Oh Yeah........
Hi Bill - play some Sandinista - it's a great album -
oh yeah.
managed to put the worst song in that record, congrats. That is a kick ass album though
Always loved it when the Clash played some reggae music!
horstman wrote:
I turned my son onto the Clash when he was eleven. Now at 12, he has all their albums, plays them all the time, and even dabbles in the Sex Pistols, the Jam, and others from this period.
Fantastic! For me it was my brother who turned me onto all those bands. I was ten, it was the early eighties, and it was all vinyl. Several of those albums are now an integral part of my blood, genome and nervous system...
I turned my son onto the Clash when he was eleven. Now at 12, he has all their albums, plays them all the time, and even dabbles in the Sex Pistols, the Jam, and others from this period. Couldn't have asked for anything better in that regard.
This song holds up well after all the years...
Reminds me the movie Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels
trowel wrote:
none of the poser punk bands today can hold a candle to The Clash...
Word.
none of the poser punk bands today can hold a candle to The Clash...
The police column of the Telluride newspaper in Colorado is titled Police and Thieves. Think the editor in chief is a Clash fan?
dionysius wrote:
Yeah, Lee Perry produced the original, but it is properly credited to the singer, Junior Murvin. That said, the original is sweet and almost sad compared to how the Clash amped up the anger and frustration in the song. It's a wonderful, classic even, cover of a fantastic reggae tune that might have been forgotten otherwise.
Agreed, and with this song the Clash found a sound, an identity...and, basically, became an honest-to-God rock band. More than a bunch a punks. Not that there's anything wrong with punk, but...
Constantine wrote:
Not as good as the original - the words remain but the song has changed.....
I agree, but not a bad effort all the same, and it is The Clash
oohh... love this song.
Not as good as the original - the words remain but the song has changed.....
great band. Great frontman. RIP.
Wish I could remember more about the show in Toronto. The Roy Thompson hall was all wrong with nothing but seating but...I was there. Now I just have to work on remembering it forever.
good tune
formersnowbug wrote:
From Curtis Mayfield to this. This set is so good my head might explode.
He did it again!
Always loved The Clash. They rule....
What an incredible set. Instant 9.
From Curtis Mayfield to this. This set is so good my head might explode.
Zep wrote:
Thanks, I love this song. The Lee Perry original is reggae and carries its own force, but this version really hits hard.
Yeah, Lee Perry produced the original, but it is properly credited to the singer, Junior Murvin. That said, the original is sweet and almost sad compared to how the Clash amped up the anger and frustration in the song. It's a wonderful, classic even, cover of a fantastic reggae tune that might have been forgotten otherwise.
trekhead wrote:
Yeah...and rehab was much cheaper, too.
Come on, I remember $15.00 an ounce! We were incensed when it rose to $20.00.
Videos ruined me. I used to get my own pictures in my head. Now, no matter what Clash song I hear, I expect to see an armadillo running aroundÂ…Where's My ARMADILLO?!?!?!?!
This song was from The Clash's FIRST album (1977), NOT London Calling! ...i love the version they do of this song.
THIS IS THE BAND THAT SAVED ROCK AND ROLL.
Skeletor wrote:
Uploaded Wed 18 Aug, 2004 09:33.
Thanks, I love this song. The Lee Perry original is reggae and carries its own force, but this version really hits hard.
steeler wrote:
Saw them late in their careers in an amphitheater in the foothills outside Santa Barbara, California. Surreal setting.
Saw 'em at the '79 Monterey Pop Festival, close-up. Starched collars standing upright, just dished it out for us to lap up. Sang "Monterey's Burning", to much hoohah and renewed pogoing. Of course this tune was featured as an encore... They came on right after the Chambers Brothers--and that was weird enough--then there was one more act after the Clash that didn't show up. Just when I'd convinced myself that they were the most worthy headliners anyway, Wavy Gravy himself came out and apologized for Linda Ronstadt, a no-show. He then announced that we could all stay for the evening set, which featured Lee Michaels (playing a kit made up to look like trash cans(!)) and Peter Tosh. As magnificent as the Clash were, Tosh began his show by strolling onstage and taking cigarettes from smokers. He handed out at least 20 spliffs to the front row.
daveesh wrote:
sweet. lucky enough to have seen them live. bedlam. freaking bedlam.
Saw them late in their careers in an amphitheater in the foothills outside Santa Barbara, California. Surreal setting.
sweet. lucky enough to have seen them live. bedlam. freaking bedlam.
crowhog2000 wrote:
The Clash.....jeez I miss the 80's when life was simpler and you could get an ounce of brown for $40....gotta go, have a cell phone call and new e-mail 8-<
Yeah...and rehab was much cheaper, too.
Not one of their best, but it's alright.
UncleChig wrote:
...Then you've got to upload more Clash. We need MORE CLASH !
Damn straight! "The only band that matters"
FilmSurgeon wrote:
Not to say the Clash wouldn't turn in a great performance 20 years on, but sometimes its better to just be happy knowing how great they were from recordings, films and anecdotes. And not tarnish the legend. Know wot I mean?
Check out the film Rude Boy, to accentuate your point.
The Clash.....jeez I miss the 80's when life was simpler and you could get an ounce of brown for $40....gotta go, have a cell phone call and new e-mail 8-<
maceo wrote:
Reunion tour would have been nice.
Maybe not. I had the displeasure of seeing the Sex Pistols for the 1st time on their most recent go round in 2003. They didn't come close to the show I'd envisioned in my head. It was most Rotten. Not to say the Clash wouldn't turn in a great performance 20 years on, but sometimes its better to just be happy knowing how great they were from recordings, films and anecdotes. And not tarnish the legend. Know wot I mean?
I saw Joe sing this at the Troubador mere months before he died. He blew the roof of the building off. What a great show. :(
namesbenny wrote:
Yeah, this is my favorite next to only White Man in Hammersmith Palais. This is a cover of Lee Perry, right?
please upload White Man in Hammersmith! my favorite too (except for Hateful and I'm so bored with the USA, maybe. Oh, and maybe Career Opportunities and...never mind) ;)
UncleChig wrote:
...Then you've got to upload more Clash. We need MORE CLASH !
Yeah, this is my favorite next to only White Man in Hammersmith Palais. This is a cover of Lee Perry, right?
Skeletor wrote:
Uploaded Wed 18 Aug, 2004 09:33.
...Then you've got to upload more Clash. We need MORE CLASH !
This was the most mellow song on the Clash's first album, "The Clash." Much better album than "London Calling."
Reunion tour would have been nice.
yahoo!!! just love the old clash, this album (yes *album*) was very cool too - just that much cooler than elvis!
this, i feel compelled to comment, has been one *-ING FANTASTIC block of music...
Uploaded Wed 18 Aug, 2004 09:33.