If it's true that a rich man leads a sad life
N' that's what they from day to day
Then what do all the poor do with their lives?
Have nothing to say on judgment day?

I've been beat up, I've been thrown
Out but I'm not down, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, I'm not down

On my own I faced a gang of jeering in strange streets
When my nerves were pumping and I
Fought my fear in, I did not run
I was not done

And I have lived that kind of day
When one of your sorrows will go away
It goes down and down and hit the floor
Down and down and down some more
Depression
But I now there'll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers rising up
Floor by floor, I'm not giving up

So you rock around and think that
You're the toughest
In the world, the whole wide world
But you're streets away from where
It gets the roughest
You ain't been there



Lyrics submitted by aebassist

Track duration: 03:06

"I'm Not Down" as written by Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I'm Not Down song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I don't think that any more input is needed on the meaning of the song, but I just wanted to point out that in this song you can really hear the influence that The Kinks had on The Clash.

    The opening guitar chords, and vocal stylings sound very much like something that the Kinks would have put out during their England-centric period.
    Flag gonzagylot00on February 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I don't think that any more input is needed on the meaning of the song, but I just wanted to point out that in this song you can really hear the influence that The Kinks had on The Clash.

    The opening guitar chords, and vocal stylings sound very much like something that the Kinks would have put out during their England-centric period.
    Flag gonzagylot00on February 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I believe that this song is about no one being inferior based on class because we're all human. Also how there are many,in the upper class, that believe there better. Joe contradicts this by stating how he's poor but he's happy and happiness is what every person strives to achieve.
    Flag nogodon February 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Fact: The most under-rated Clash song. Best on London Calling (besides the title track.)
    Flag FRYEGUYon October 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:♥ it's about how a person can go through alot and not let that keep them down
    Flag Lovetoyouon July 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:An amazing song!!! Energy is the word!!!!! :D
    Flag Gimaon July 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So you rock around and think that
    You're the toughest
    In the world, the whole wide world
    But you're streets away from where
    It gets the roughest
    You ain't been there

    I think this is a reference to the bands at that time, its really self explanatory, and the whole song, to me is about not giving up.
    Flag Drum_Headon January 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:awesome message!
    Flag rufiohaspanon November 28, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it's simply about not giving up, and believing in yourself. don't let anything drag you down or crush your spirits.

    a great song.
    Flag sgt.peppperon December 21, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song means so much to me. i never knew one simple song could be so empowering when life is at its most crushing.
    Flag BlackLungFeveron October 15, 2005   Link

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