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“Should I Stay or Should I Go” is a song by The Clash, from their album Combat Rock. It was written in 1981 and featured Mick Jones on lead vocals. It became the band’s only number-one single, a decade after it was originally released. In November 2004, it was ranked at 228 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The tune leans towards more of a retro punk rock sound than most of the other tracks on the album. Though many legends have arisen about what the song is about (one of which is Jones’ impending dismissal from the Clash in 1983), it is actually about a rocky personal relationship between Jones and former Meat Loaf backup singer Ellen Foley that would soon implode. The lyrics seem to reflect ups and downs concerning the relationship and the dilemma of sticking with or ending it.
The Spanish backing vocals are courtesy of Joe Strummer:
“ On the spur of the moment I said ‘I’m going to do the backing vocals in Spanish,’…We needed a translator so Eddie Garcia, the tape operator, called his mother in Brooklyn Heights and read her the lyrics over the phone and she translated them. But Eddie and his mum are Ecuadorian, so it’s Ecuadorian Spanish that me and Joe Ely are singing on the backing vocals. ”
—Joe Strummer, 1991
Releases
The single was reissued several times. In 1982, with a different cover as a double A-side with “Straight to Hell” and with “Cool Confusion” as its B-side. In 1983, with “First Night Back in London” on the side two, and in 1991, with “Rush” by Mick Jones’ group Big Audio Dynamite II as its B-side
The tune leans towards more of a retro punk rock sound than most of the other tracks on the album. Though many legends have arisen about what the song is about (one of which is Jones’ impending dismissal from the Clash in 1983), it is actually about a rocky personal relationship between Jones and former Meat Loaf backup singer Ellen Foley that would soon implode. The lyrics seem to reflect ups and downs concerning the relationship and the dilemma of sticking with or ending it.
The Spanish backing vocals are courtesy of Joe Strummer:
“ On the spur of the moment I said ‘I’m going to do the backing vocals in Spanish,’…We needed a translator so Eddie Garcia, the tape operator, called his mother in Brooklyn Heights and read her the lyrics over the phone and she translated them. But Eddie and his mum are Ecuadorian, so it’s Ecuadorian Spanish that me and Joe Ely are singing on the backing vocals. ”
—Joe Strummer, 1991
Releases
The single was reissued several times. In 1982, with a different cover as a double A-side with “Straight to Hell” and with “Cool Confusion” as its B-side. In 1983, with “First Night Back in London” on the side two, and in 1991, with “Rush” by Mick Jones’ group Big Audio Dynamite II as its B-side
Video
Added by 22caroline
live performance, see paul's dancing befor last chorus!
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Shouts
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kirstylaaa wrote:
This song brings back funny memories of when i visited my family in Ireland last year for christmas. My grandma trying to sing this thing on rock band = The funniest thing you'll ever see :)
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Terrasidius wrote:
aWESOME
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lv_simo wrote:
Rat Patrol version is better...es como una fiesta
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maskingtapes wrote:
dont go!!!
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alexia_N wrote:
the worst song on combat rock. and it probably only seems that way because it's so overrated.
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Paula_Boom wrote:
love it!! ^^ we need more british-punk-rock!!!
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Banba777 wrote:
ohhhhhhhh damn goooooooooooooooooooood :))))))) let´s dance
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hurjaymedilo wrote:
was watching eternal sunshine and mark ruffalo was babbling on about the clash and their philosophies..
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ThirdMoon89 wrote:
my favourite band ever!!! this song is amazing..love Mick singing with Joe doing the second voice in spanish..
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spacefaceinfurs wrote:
hah, the spanish backing vocals crack me up every time ^^
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mattyo44 wrote:
classic clash
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draney13 wrote:
love it
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archangelfilms wrote:
this is one of my favorite punk bands of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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miss-juliett wrote:
I love it! *-* ;)
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LQQKIE wrote:
Great song... part of Retro Fridays member group radio
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charliemicio wrote:
don't know why London Calling is played more often, still both are great songs!
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segamaya wrote:
yep its spanish http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Should_I_Stay_or_Should_I_Go
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autumn_rhapsody wrote:
anyone else hear them speaking spanish in the background?
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emilczak wrote:
one of rock anthems imho.
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SleepyVampire66 wrote:
one of my faves ever
The Clash
Should I Stay Or Should I Go
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Recent Activity
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brinaa, WantedI, samairevamp311 and 8 other people loved The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go. 14 minutes ago
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KaRoLa-MLG wrote about Should I Stay Or Should I Go in My music milestones [so far]. 7 hours ago
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