Rhetorical Analysis of the Revolution Rockers

After breaking out into the punk rock scene in the mid-1970s, the English rock band The Clash has produced some of the most politically charged records of all time. Many of their lyrics remain especially relevant today. For instance, the lines: “You have the right not to be killed / Murder is a crime /Unless it was done / By a policeman” [1], from the song “Know Your Rights,” seems hauntingly similar to modern police brutality towards black men and women. Their most highly regarded album, London Calling, features countless similar criticisms of war and weapons of mass destruction through various techniques such as strong imagery and specific musical choices.

In the apocalyptic title track “London Calling,” lyricist Mick Jones and Joe Strummer ultilize a very unique musical style  coupled with strong imagery to promote an anti-war message. Throughout the entirety of this powerful tune, the drums and guitar line up on the downbeat, creating a powerful, ominous style that drives the verses like a dagger into the ear of the listener. This musical choice is not common in rock music, but helps create a dreadful mood that amplifies the rhetorical ability of the song’s lyrics.

On top of the foreboding central riff of this song, Joe Strummer delivers a powerful message about war. By utilizing strong imagery in lines such as “Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls,” “…zombies of death,” and “meltdown expected” [2], Strummer is able to paint a vivid picture of an apocalyptic world in which children hide from nuclear waste and radiation, and where chaos engulfs the entire planet. With such chilling lyrics, the song forces viewers to imagine a world where the “wheat is growing thin” and “engines stop running” as a consequence of mass mobilization of nuclear weapons and energy. Combined with a haunting groove, the song succeeds in convincing listeners to be wary of the nuclear advances that grip national militaries. Although songs are less effective in getting people to take action than other forms of propaganda, the song is able to subtly equate nuclearization with death and horror. Finally, to reinforce their message, an audible S.O.S. morse code can be heard as the song concludes, further solidifying The Clash’s criticism of nuclear weapons and war.

Along with their criticisms of war and various weapons, The Clash heavily criticizes police brutality, crime, and civic violence throughout the hour long London Calling. These further criticisms and their rhetorical power will be further discussed in future posts or essays, but this micro-analysis of the opening track is a strong introduction to the power of rhetoric and it’s prevalence in the music industry.

1. https://genius.com/The-clash-know-your-rights-lyrics

2. https://genius.com/The-clash-london-calling-lyrics

3. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nme.com%2Fnews%2Fmusic%2Flondon-calling-inside-clashs-new-brilliant-exhibition-2574622&psig=AOvVaw1BARK2j8rvLyLQkJCV26Oc&ust=1599182124560000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCPjq0ubny-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

4. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLondon_Calling&psig=AOvVaw3ywkl4I4l1CYIG0G_L0sdI&ust=1599181795354000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCPD8osnmy-sCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD