This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
I come from a long way away
And I know a fine thing when I see it
See it
For the same reason no one ever pointed a telescope at the sun
Talking about the Red Angels of N-Y City
Who shot the shot?
Who got shot tonight?
Who shot the shot?
Who got shot tonight?
Not even five enforcement agencies can save their own
Never mind the people
Tonight it's raining on the Angels of the City (who got shot tonight?)
Did anyone prophesize these people?
Only Travis
Come in, Travis
"All the animals come out at night
Queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal (who got shot tonight?)
Some day a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets"
(Who got shot tonight?) the city knows
"Thank god for the rain to wash the trash off the sidewalk
Listen you screwheads, here is a man who would not take it anymore
A man who stood up against the scum, the filth
Now I see clearly"
Personally I know the alley
Where Jack feeds on the birds of night
Not even bubbies bicycling (two-by-two) can stop the blood and feathers flying
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who got shot tonight?)
Wearing overalls and for once and for all
What is the dream?
I'll tell it
To live like they do in the movies?
San Juan, you listening?
Yeah, I bet you are
Hands up for Hollywood (hooray!), I hear you
Snappy on the air, hang in there, wall to wall
You saved the world, what else, you saved the girl
Chmpagne on ice, no stranger to Alcatraz to boot
Or strip it down, chop it a little
Being reasonable
Just freedom to move, to live
For women to take a walk in the park at midnight (who got shot tonight?)
Hey, but this is serious, she can't even get back home (who got shot tonight?)
Who shot the shot that popped the cop that chopped the cop and made him drop?
"One of these days, I'm gonna get myself organizized"
And I know a fine thing when I see it
See it
For the same reason no one ever pointed a telescope at the sun
Talking about the Red Angels of N-Y City
Who shot the shot?
Who got shot tonight?
Who shot the shot?
Who got shot tonight?
Not even five enforcement agencies can save their own
Never mind the people
Tonight it's raining on the Angels of the City (who got shot tonight?)
Did anyone prophesize these people?
Only Travis
Come in, Travis
"All the animals come out at night
Queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal (who got shot tonight?)
Some day a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets"
(Who got shot tonight?) the city knows
"Thank god for the rain to wash the trash off the sidewalk
Listen you screwheads, here is a man who would not take it anymore
A man who stood up against the scum, the filth
Now I see clearly"
Personally I know the alley
Where Jack feeds on the birds of night
Not even bubbies bicycling (two-by-two) can stop the blood and feathers flying
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who got shot tonight?)
(Who got shot tonight?)
Wearing overalls and for once and for all
What is the dream?
I'll tell it
To live like they do in the movies?
San Juan, you listening?
Yeah, I bet you are
Hands up for Hollywood (hooray!), I hear you
Snappy on the air, hang in there, wall to wall
You saved the world, what else, you saved the girl
Chmpagne on ice, no stranger to Alcatraz to boot
Or strip it down, chop it a little
Being reasonable
Just freedom to move, to live
For women to take a walk in the park at midnight (who got shot tonight?)
Hey, but this is serious, she can't even get back home (who got shot tonight?)
Who shot the shot that popped the cop that chopped the cop and made him drop?
"One of these days, I'm gonna get myself organizized"
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Holiday
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
A friend told me the exact same thing about Taxi Driver. Then I actually saw the movie and that's not really how it concludes. Regarding the song, besides sounding like it's about Taxi Driver it also seems to reference the Guardian Angels which is a citizen's crime watch group started in NY who can be identified by their red barrets and jackets.
@Veecha The Guardian Angels wore red i believe. So, this make sense to me as well.
Another point...
"Personally I know the alley Where Jack feeds on the birds of night"
seems to pertain to Jack the Ripper as "birds of night" could mean ladies of the night aka prostitutes, the Ripper's victim of choice, which ties in again to the theme of 'Taxi Driver'
Although it has quotes from Taxi Driver, the song is not about the movie.
"According to author Marcus Gray, the song Red Angel Dragnet was inspired by the January 1982 shooting death of Frank Melvin, a New York member of the Guardian Angels." - from wikipedia.
This song is about the general attitude of street crime in the late 70's and early 80's. It uses topics such as Taxi Driver and the death of Frank Melvin as talking points. Like most songs by The Clash it isn't cut and dry. It is designed to make you think about more than one side to "the crime problem".
This entire album is pretty much about the battle between the people and the authority and this song is no exception. It isn't made to get you to believe there is a right answer, but to think about how to find an answer. Police brutality and vigilante justice are both shitty solutions and this song is all about that.
this is about an old movie called taxi driver the guys name is travis bickle he comes back to new york after being in the vietnam war hes disgusted at the amount of crime scum and prostitution he goes nuts and kills everybody
short andd sweet straigh to point no fluffing around bout deeper meaning or chord progressions aceospades91 u have left an awesome comment congrats (it not my fault it 6:36 in the morning i should probably be asleep night everyone).
This song seems to go in a lot of different directions. The main point I get from it is how paranoid politicians and police, who may themselves be doing a horrible job of controlling crime, feel threatened and will suddenly focus their attention on "vigilante" groups as they perceived the Guardian Angels to be.
Travis from "Taxi Driver" was a bit nuts, but felt he had high morals. Driving his cab each night he sinks further as he watches the "scum and filth" take over the streets. Anyway, he ends up packing enough heat to make Rambo proud, killing a would-b thief, attempting to assassinate a politician, rescues 13 year old Jodie Foster from her life of prostitution by killing her pimp and various other enablers.
Good show. Good song. Good point
Inspired yes, but that doesn't mean that it's entirely about that single event.
Yeah, the Clash did a sh+tload of gigs at Bond's Casino in NYC in the early 80s. This song is inspired, in part, by the Red Angels. They were a group of dudes (mostly) who were of Latino descent (mostly) who, in the absence of NY city's finest, rode the subway system and looked after ladies (mostly) who were harassed by f+ckwits. A bit like Travis with Jodie Foster's character in Taxi Driver (i.e., apart from the Latino and the subway bit) ....