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“(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais” is a song and single by The Clash, self produced and first released as a 7” single, backed with similarly themed track “The Prisoner”, in June 1978.
The song was later added to the American version of the band’s debut album The Clash sandwiched between the single version of “White Riot” and “London’s Burning”.
Inspiration and composition
The song showed considerable musical and lyrical maturity for the band at the time and is stylistically more in line with their version of Junior Murvin’s “
Police & Thieves” as the powerful guitar intro of “(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais” descends into a slower ska rhythm, and was disorienting to a lot of the fans who had grown used to their earlier work. “We were a big fat riff group,” author Joe Strummer noted in The Clash’s film Westway to the World. “We weren’t supposed to do something like that.”
“(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais” starts by recounting an all-night reggae “showcase” night at the Hammersmith Palais in Shepherd’s Bush, London that was attended by Joe Strummer, Don Letts and roadie Rodent and was headlined by Dillinger, Leroy Smart and Delroy Wilson. Strummer was disappointed and disillusioned that these performances had been more “pop” and “lightweight” similar to Ken Boothe’s brand of reggae with Four Tops-like dance routines, and that the acts had been “performances” rather than the roots rock rebellion that he had been hoping for.
The song was later added to the American version of the band’s debut album The Clash sandwiched between the single version of “White Riot” and “London’s Burning”.
Inspiration and composition
The song showed considerable musical and lyrical maturity for the band at the time and is stylistically more in line with their version of Junior Murvin’s “
Police & Thieves” as the powerful guitar intro of “(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais” descends into a slower ska rhythm, and was disorienting to a lot of the fans who had grown used to their earlier work. “We were a big fat riff group,” author Joe Strummer noted in The Clash’s film Westway to the World. “We weren’t supposed to do something like that.”“(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais” starts by recounting an all-night reggae “showcase” night at the Hammersmith Palais in Shepherd’s Bush, London that was attended by Joe Strummer, Don Letts and roadie Rodent and was headlined by Dillinger, Leroy Smart and Delroy Wilson. Strummer was disappointed and disillusioned that these performances had been more “pop” and “lightweight” similar to Ken Boothe’s brand of reggae with Four Tops-like dance routines, and that the acts had been “performances” rather than the roots rock rebellion that he had been hoping for.
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Shouts
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ParisSunday wrote:
my favorite song!
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above_tree_line wrote:
This song is even more appropiate in today's world! Way ahead of their time... have always loved their music
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HallucigeniaUK wrote:
#36 in clash's chart? it's a travesty!!
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FuckinRamone wrote:
amazing!!!
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Melde1 wrote:
I love this song as much as anything that makes me happy in this life.
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FancyCrackers wrote:
One of my very favorite Clash songs, the name dropping of reggae greats expanded my naive punk preferences, whilst throwing down a very relevant commentary, of british attitudes of the time. Joe Strummer is one of the greatest musical performers of all time
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Fjallman wrote:
Most people who mix reggae with punk just take ska and speed it up and distort the guitars. But The Clash took real dub and added heavy guitars and intelligent lyrics while keeping an impeccable songwriting class. That's why they are so much better than everyone else!
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carbourator wrote:
Has to be one of the best songs ever made [2] Definitely
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lv_simo wrote:
my favorite song of all time...it's pretty much perfect. live version on FHTE is awesome too
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buryblue wrote:
Has to be one of the best songs ever made
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gabethevegan wrote:
When ever i think of the Clash this track comes to mind,when ever i think of/or hear this it's the Clash in all their angry/arrogant/oppositional Glory i remember. God! they make Bands like Oasis appear just what they are Pedestrian grandad rock pretending to be the real thing.Hey Liam and Noel you're fakes man.
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borskistar wrote:
this is one of my favourite songs ever written....long live Joe strummer..........legend!
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futuredirect wrote:
God... My favorite song. EVER.
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Lewisite wrote:
Lucky to see them in 1982!
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imaginaryangie wrote:
My favorite Clash tune from my favorite Clash album! This album is absolutely brilliant. I fell in love with my first listen and still can't get enough. Eternally awesome.
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danc6433 wrote:
The new groups are not concerned With what there is to be learned They got Burton suits, ha you think it's funny Turning rebellion into money
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SameWayOfSaying wrote:
By far their best song, it's sad to see it so far down the charts! I remember playing this over and over when I was 16. To this day I have yet to come accross a song that resonates with me as much as this one...
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Writtenjustice wrote:
Words cannot describe my love for this band.
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slowmoboy wrote:
how is this only at no. 36?????????????????????????????????????????? Strummer's finest moment lyrically and sublime backing vocals by Mick "I'm the all nite drug prowlin' wolf who look so sick in the sun" MAGIC!!!!
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miles_t wrote:
Fantastic track fantastic band, just about the best live act ive ever seen.
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(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
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