| "Rudie Can't Fail" | |
|---|---|
 Dutch single release | |
| Song by the Clash | |
| from the album London Calling | |
| B-side | "Bankrobber" / "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" |
| Released | 14 December 1979 |
| Recorded | June–July, 1979 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:26 |
| Label | CBS |
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Strummer, Mick Jones |
| Producer(s) | Guy Stevens |
"Rudie Can't Fail" is a song by the English punk rock band the Clash, featured on their 1979 album London Calling . The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, who sing it as a duet.
Like some songs on London Calling, "Rudie Can't Fail" has a strong reggae, rocksteady influence. Donald A. Guarisco of Allmusic described it as "an exuberant horn-driven number that mixes pop and soul elements in to spice up its predominantly reggae sound". [1]
"Rudie Can't Fail" praises the rude boys of Jamaica in the 1960s who challenged their elders' status quo. The song is about a fun-loving young man who is criticised by his elders for not acting as a responsible adult, drinking beer at breakfast, [2] and describe him as being "so crude and feckless", to which he responds "I know that my life make you nervous, but I tell you I can't live in service." [1] The song's title derives from Desmond Dekker's 1967 song "007 (Shanty Town)", and is in homage to Ray Gange, who had portrayed a roadie who quits his job to follow the Clash around in the 1980 film Rude Boy . [3] Rudie Can't Fail was the working title of a planned second movie for which The Clash would provide the soundtrack. [4] Reference is made also to Dr Alimantado and his 1977 song "Born for a Purpose" in the line "Like the doctor who was born for a purpose". [5] The line "You're looking pretty smart in your chicken skin suit", may refer to Alimantado's debut album, Best Dressed Chicken in Town .
