“The world is a sad and beautiful place.” - Joe Strummer [View All]

[JimmyJazz]

I was told to put my picture in the original post: (some people are so bossy)



I can’t believe it’s been two whole years since Joe Strummer died.

The picture above is one that was taken one of the times I had the privilege of meeting him. He was a very nice man. How many bands would actually invite fans (not groupies/not hotties, but fans) backstage after a show just to say thanks for appreciating us?

I was raised in a Republican/Fundie household and I am here at DU because of the influence of the Clash and Joe Strummer. Without him, I would have followed the path of my parents. For that, I am eternally grateful.

I am constantly amazed at how worldly Clash lyrics are. If you are a disbeliever, listen to Straight to Hell and feel the pain of the Vietnam War and the repercussions of having American soldiers father children of Vietnamese women. When Joe sings, the usual anger in his voice is missing and what is left is painful resignation.

Listen to the Call Up and apply those lyrics to what is happening in Iraq today – or Hate and War or I’m So Bored with the USA or any of a dozen other songs that express the anger many on this forum feel.

In Washington Bullets, Joe demonstrated again, his knowledge of world events when he wrote:

"As every cell in Chile will tell
The cries of the tortured men
Remember Allende, and the days before,
Before the army came
Please remember Victor Jara,
In the Santiago Stadium…"

If you don’t know the story of Victor Jara, I suggest a Google search – you will cry.

Joe Strummer lived ahead of his time and died before it. I miss him. :cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry: