Monday, May 11, 2015

This Nation's Saving Grace






Nothing to say, even less than nothing; sub-nothing. 

I listened to the album cited above this morning at the gym and it invigorated me, once more, once again.

It's been a few years since I've heard it. There is an odd Mekons-like power to it. Only explainable in historical context, attention to detail that most listeners might resist. 

Apparently, 1985 was the greatest year for obscure albums ever. Fear and Whiskey. Tim. Fables of the Reconstruction. Psychocandy. New Day Rising. Rum, Sodomy & the Lash. Love.


That being, I will always remember it as the year that Joe Strummer betrayed each and every one of us. The album Cut The Crap can be summed up in one accurate and precise estimation: Didn't.










"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.
If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."

It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.

Is there so much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?
You, it's you and me.
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
Say, if I only could, oh...

You,
It's you and me,
It's you and me won't be unhappy.

"C'mon, baby, c'mon darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C'mon, angel, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
Let's exchange the experience, oh..."

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems.

If I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems...

"If I only could, I'd be running up that hill.

If I only could, I'd be running up that hill."


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