"Know Your Rights" | ||||
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Single by The Clash | ||||
from the album Combat Rock | ||||
B-side | "First Night Back in London" | |||
Released | 1982 | |||
Genre | Rockabilly [1] | |||
Length | 3:41 | |||
Label | CBS | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | The Clash | |||
The Clash singles chronology | ||||
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"Know Your Rights" is a song by the Clash. It was released in 1982 as the first single from the album Combat Rock , three weeks prior to the release of the album.
The song begins with the words "This is a public service announcement... with guitar!" The structure of the song revolves around the rights held by the poor and disenfranchised, in which the speaker of the song, presumably a villainous civil servant (whose identity is assumed in the song by vocalist Joe Strummer), names the three actual rights. At the end, the notion that more rights should be granted is rebuffed by the speaker.
The three are:
"Know Your Rights" has been performed live many times by Pearl Jam, most notably during their Riot Act Tour in 2003, and it also has been recorded on their live albums 7/11/03 – Mansfield, Massachusetts , 7/9/03 – New York, New York , and 3/3/03 – Tokyo, Japan . [2]
Chart | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles (OCC) [3] | 43 |
The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976 who were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they also contributed to the post-punk and new wave movements that emerged in the wake of punk and employed elements of a variety of genres including reggae, dub, funk, ska, and rockabilly. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky "Topper" Headon.
John Graham Mellor, known professionally as Joe Strummer, was a British singer-songwriter and musician. He was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and co-lead vocalist of punk rock band the Clash, formed in 1976. The Clash's second studio album Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978) reached No. 2 on the UK charts. Soon after, they achieved success in the US, starting with London Calling (1979) and peaking with Combat Rock (1982), which reached No. 7 on the US charts and was certified 2× platinum there. The Clash's explosive political lyrics, musical experimentation, and rebellious attitude had a far-reaching influence on rock music in general, especially alternative rock. Their music incorporated reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, and rockabilly.
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