The Clash – "White Riot" (1977), White Riot - Directed By Rubika Shah (2020)


"'White Riot';is a song by English punk rock band the Clash, released as the band's first single in March 1977 and also included on their self-titled debut album. ... There are two versions of the song: the single version (also appearing on the US version of the album released in 1979), was one of the first songs they recorded at CBS Studio 3 on Whitfield Street in Central London, after signing with CBS Records. ... Lyrically, the song is about class economics and race and thus proved controversial; some people thought it was advocating a kind of race war. ... In an interview with the New Musical Express in December 1976, Joe Strummer responded angrily to the suggestion that some people misinterpreted the 'White Riot' lyrics as racist, saying, 'They're not racist! They're not racist at all!'. Strummer pointed out that inner-city black youth were now fighting back against poverty and heavy-handed policing. 'White Riot' was a call to arms to white youth to fight back in the same way and have, in the words of the song, 'a riot of my own'. ..."

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