The Clash – I believe I received this album in a my 5 of the past. I don’t recall ever hearing this song, but its the Clash so it kicks ass. I have been more into Joe Strummers solo stuff. But you can never go wrong with the Clash.
Marvin Gaye – Simply love this song. Never thought of it as a war song but more of a struggle with racism. Still sad to think how relevant this song is still today. Nothing has changed.
The Clash – Spanish Bombs
Can’t go wrong with a track from London Calling. I am very guilty of just bopping along to this track without really knowing too much (anything?) about the conflicts it references. The songfacts site helped me a bit (didn’t vet the info.): https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-clash/spanish-bombs
Great sound & singing.
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On?
Like Ian, I didn’t really think of this as a song about war – even though some of the lyrics that I have remembered clearly state it. “… war is not the answer…”. Maybe “picket lines and picket signs” (and the sound/style of it?) made me think of other things (environment/ecological). Beautiful track. “We gotta find a way to bring some loving here today.” *Heavy sigh*
“What’s Going On” / Marvin Gaye. A classic all-purpose protest song. (I was recently tipped that the title is not a question but a statement of descriptive intent). Released in 1971, embracing the counterculture (“Who are they to judge us simply because our hair is long?”), it was quite a step for tempermentally conservative Motown. Musically majestic, with jazzy flavor and epic strings. Gaye’s great lead overshadows the playful backing vocals. If you’ve never heard the whole album, give a listen; it’s quite a trip.
Spanish Bombs- When I hear a song like this from The Clash, I am always surprised at how much craft and savvy they have. Yes, it has the punkish attitude and references war/conflict. But behind that is that subtle yet memorable little guitar riff and the cool altered chords underneath. Great, raggedy harmonies, funky Spanish references (andalucia) and even a foreshadowing of their clumsy use of Spanish which was to come in Should I Stay or Should I Go many years later.
What’s Goin’ On- Iconic. Silky smooth. Clear, simple, compelling lyrics. After not really listening to this in a long time, I forgot how much background sound there is. I actually found it a little distracting. Sad that when I hear him say, “Father, father” I can’t help think about him being shot and killed by his fther.
“Spanish Bombs” by The Clash: energetic rocker. Straddles that line between almost a mainstream sound with catchy verses and choruses and that more subversive punk rock bad boy edginess. Excellent Tune.
“Spanish Bombs” by The Clash – An excellent tune! London Calling is one of those albums that *should* be in every music lover’s collection. It’s polished, yet punk enough in its angst to let the listeners know that Joe Strummer and the crew are still pissed off. Harmonizing is catchy, and Paul Simonon kills it on the bass.
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye – That voice, that groove, that message. It still resonates today which is sad. What’s Going On was released during an era when Motown Records was at the height of its game. Turning out classic after classic. The strings combined with the bongos give What’s Going On a feel that transcends funk, or any other genre labels.
The Clash – I believe I received this album in a my 5 of the past. I don’t recall ever hearing this song, but its the Clash so it kicks ass. I have been more into Joe Strummers solo stuff. But you can never go wrong with the Clash.
Marvin Gaye – Simply love this song. Never thought of it as a war song but more of a struggle with racism. Still sad to think how relevant this song is still today. Nothing has changed.
The Clash – Spanish Bombs
Can’t go wrong with a track from London Calling. I am very guilty of just bopping along to this track without really knowing too much (anything?) about the conflicts it references. The songfacts site helped me a bit (didn’t vet the info.): https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-clash/spanish-bombs
Great sound & singing.
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On?
Like Ian, I didn’t really think of this as a song about war – even though some of the lyrics that I have remembered clearly state it. “… war is not the answer…”. Maybe “picket lines and picket signs” (and the sound/style of it?) made me think of other things (environment/ecological). Beautiful track. “We gotta find a way to bring some loving here today.” *Heavy sigh*
“What’s Going On” / Marvin Gaye. A classic all-purpose protest song. (I was recently tipped that the title is not a question but a statement of descriptive intent). Released in 1971, embracing the counterculture (“Who are they to judge us simply because our hair is long?”), it was quite a step for tempermentally conservative Motown. Musically majestic, with jazzy flavor and epic strings. Gaye’s great lead overshadows the playful backing vocals. If you’ve never heard the whole album, give a listen; it’s quite a trip.
I will henceforth attempt not to add the ‘?’.
Spanish Bombs- When I hear a song like this from The Clash, I am always surprised at how much craft and savvy they have. Yes, it has the punkish attitude and references war/conflict. But behind that is that subtle yet memorable little guitar riff and the cool altered chords underneath. Great, raggedy harmonies, funky Spanish references (andalucia) and even a foreshadowing of their clumsy use of Spanish which was to come in Should I Stay or Should I Go many years later.
What’s Goin’ On- Iconic. Silky smooth. Clear, simple, compelling lyrics. After not really listening to this in a long time, I forgot how much background sound there is. I actually found it a little distracting. Sad that when I hear him say, “Father, father” I can’t help think about him being shot and killed by his fther.
“Spanish Bombs” by The Clash: energetic rocker. Straddles that line between almost a mainstream sound with catchy verses and choruses and that more subversive punk rock bad boy edginess. Excellent Tune.
“Spanish Bombs” by The Clash – An excellent tune! London Calling is one of those albums that *should* be in every music lover’s collection. It’s polished, yet punk enough in its angst to let the listeners know that Joe Strummer and the crew are still pissed off. Harmonizing is catchy, and Paul Simonon kills it on the bass.
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye – That voice, that groove, that message. It still resonates today which is sad. What’s Going On was released during an era when Motown Records was at the height of its game. Turning out classic after classic. The strings combined with the bongos give What’s Going On a feel that transcends funk, or any other genre labels.