The Clash – Tommy Gun (1978)

The Clash - Tommy Gun

The Clash – Tommy Gun (1978)

Tommy Gun was the first single, from the second album Give ‘Em Enough Rope by English punk rock band The Clash. This single was released on the 24 November 1978, with 1–2 Crush on You as the b-side, peaking at number 17 in the UK charts.

It starts with drummer Topper Headon, mimicing the sound of a tommy Gun and the guitars are full of distortion and feedback, what a way to start a record!! For years i had this as the ringtone on my mobile. I still have my badly beaten copy today!! Songwriters: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon.

The Clash – Tommy Gun – Lyrics

Tommy gun, you ain’t happy less you got one
Tommy gun, ain’t gonna shoot the place up just for fun
Maybe he wants to die for the money
Maybe he wants to kill for his country
Whatever he wants, he’s gonna get it

Tommy gun, you better strip it down for a custom run
Tommy gun, waiting in the airport ‘till kingdom come
And we can watch you make it on the nine o’clock news
Standing there in Palestine lighting the fuse
Whatever you want, you’re gonna get it

Tommy gun, Tommy gun

Tommy gun, you’ll be dead when your war is won
Tommy gun, but did you have to gun down everyone?
I can see it’s kill or be killed, a nation of destiny has got to be fulfilled
Whatever you want, you’re gonna get it

Tommy gun, you can be a hero in an age of none
Tommy gun, I’m cutting out your picture from page one
I’m gonna get a jacket just like yours and give my false support to your cause
Whatever you want, you’re gonna get it
Alright

Ok, so that’s agreed, about the price
I make it one two, ten dollar
For ten, reasonable
And boats and tanks and planes, it’s your game
Kings and queens and generals learn your name
And I see all the innocents, the human sacrifice
And if death comes so cheap then the same goes for life