SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO:

Clash's Joe Strummer dies (Anthony Barnes, 23 December 2002, Independent uk)

Punk pioneer Joe Strummer of The Clash has died at the age of 50, it was announced today.

The star – who was the band's guitarist, singer and songwriter alongside Mick Jones – died yesterday.

He had been touring with his most recent band The Mescaleros until last month, rounding off a tour in Liverpool.

The Clash were known for injecting left wing politics into punk and their album London Calling was named the best album of the Eighties by Rolling Stone magazine – despite being released in 1979.

His death was announced on his official website.

Public school–educated Strummer, who died at his Somerset home, is thought to have had a heart attack. Police said a post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow.

Now our generation knows how folks felt when Elvis died. The Clash was the great rock band of all time and Train in Vain the archetypal rock single:

Say you stand by your man
Tell me something I don't understand
You said you love me and that's a fact
Then you left me, said you felt trapped

Well some things you can explain away
But my heartache's in me till this day

[Chorus]
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way

All the times
When we were close
I'll remember these things the most
I see all my dreams come tumbling down
I won't be happy without you around

So all alone I keep the wolves at bay
There is only one thing that I can say

[Chorus]

You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me

Did you stand by me
No, not at all

Now I got a job
But it don't pay
I need new clothes
I need somewhere to stay
But without all these things I can do
But without your love I won't make it through

But you don't understand my point of view
I suppose there's nothing I can do

[Chorus]

You must explain why this must be
Did you lie when you spoke to me?

Did you stand by me
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way
Did you stand by me
No, not at all
Did you stand by me
No way

R.I.P., Mr. Strummer. Posted by Orrin Judd at December 23, 2002 11:05 AM