The Clash – Corner Soul

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  General Comment:This song (Corner Soul) is most likely about the Rivers Of Blood speech by Enoch Powell, a conservative MP in the UK in the 1960's... Basically, he was saying that the black (and other minority, to a lesser extent) British subculture - what Strummer generally refers to as "music"* - cannot co-exist with English, white culture and the entire multi-ethnic situation will implode and result in a catastrophic, biblical-style 'river of blood' in the streets of Birmingham specifically and the UK more generally. Obviously, Strummer is at odds with this opinion and doubts the logic, or at least thinks it's interesting, expressed in the question "Is the music calling for the river of blood?" You can read more about the speech and its effects and interpretations at wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/….
  
  *Music in the black British culture has also been explored by, among others, Paul Gilroy who called the LP the second most important influence the creation of (and distinction from pre-existing black cultures) black British culture. At least, I'm pretty sure it was Gilroy.

  Flag brokendoglegon December 05, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:one of those Clash songs that have such a compassionate vibe to them... of course it's "total war", not "total was". taking into account the recurrent Vietnam theme in Joe's lyrics, this could be about a war-weary soldier telling a Vietnamese boy named Sammy to run to the shacks of his village, warning that soldiers are coming soon to burn down the village.
  it never fails to leave me stunned.

  Flag Heinrichon June 07, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Such a great song. One of my favorite lesser known Clash songs. It has such a soothing sound to it. Don't really understand what it is about, though, "Never need a gun says Tai Chi" most likely refers to Tai chi chuan, a Chinese martial art.

  Flag pretzzron July 10, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:Yeah I once fell asleep with sandanista! going and awoke up at three in the morning to this song I was drenched in sweat and convinced I was in a tent. It was during the chorus and I was pretty sure some people had machete and where out to get me with them, I also thought the music was like their battle song. It took me about a minuit or two to realise I could pause the the music and that I was in my bed. It wasw utterly terrifying.

  Flag Cpt-Sensibleon February 04, 2006   Link

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    That sounds like an awesome experience! I'm probably equally obsessed with The Clash and the study of dreams. I'm making a note to myself: fall asleep to Sandinista! or other lengthy, meaningful album.

    Flag Levonneon April 03, 2012  
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  General Comment:don't know what it means, but its a great song anyway.

  Flag schlieffenon May 23, 2004   Link

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