Behind The Song Episode 46: The Clash "Rock The Casbah"

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda Lane details the lyrics of "Rock The Casbah" by The Clash. It's a song about rising up from oppression, but it started out as a love song. Janda also talks about the reasons why The Clash became known as "the only band that matters" and shares the story of that time she met the late Joe Strummer.
Music: Christian Lane
Video Director: Michael Collier
About Janda:
Behind The Song podcast host and creator Janda Lane is a radio DJ at WDRV-FM in Chicago, the city she now calls home with her husband and podcast partner, Christian Lane, and their two cats, Ollie and Liam. She is a transplant from Los Angeles, where she was a video director at Fender, Executive Producer at Yahoo Music, playlist curator for ITunes, worked in rock management with artists like the Foo Fighters and Beck, was on the radio at KCRW, and she was a DJ at online radio pioneer site Soundbreak. She has not worked a day in her life.
Follow Janda on Facebook and Instagram @jandalaneradio and on Twitter @jandalane.

[@EliPorterMahn]

Joe Strummer kept the band from being corrupted by mainstream expectations imo, every band needs a leader

[@DrTazMage]

"Should I stay or should I go" hit the charts in the US. and peaked at number 13 on Billboards Top Tracks

[@gogoyubari366]

I don't care for that song.

[@markchapman4466]

Thank you - someone needed to say it 🤣

[@outboundflight4455]

5:31 Meaning of the Song and its Lyrics

[@eamonnbohan]

Topper Headon joined the Clash in 1977, not 1979. He first played live with them in France on 26 April 1977. I saw him playing in May 77 on the White Riot tour. The 1st record he made with them was Complete Control b/w City of the Dead released in October 1977.

[@the_lonely_smoker]

theres a few things wrong

[@Shannon_Gaines]

That’s awesome. Reading the comments it seems like as the above says more than a bit of this vid is wrong

[@KnockOut242]

I’m guessing you’re a mid-50’s baby?

[@julianmarquezrodriguez1762]

Amazing band and song analysis! Loved strummer’s playlist story 🙌🏼

[@behindthesongpodcast]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! That encounter with Strummer remains one of the rock highlights of my life. Strummer forever! Thank you! -Janda

[@djpookie2000]

Fun listen about one of my favorite songs ever. I love the drums.

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Thanks James! It's one of our favorites too. What a band!

[@babagandu]

The piano

[@j.rebekah8605]

I'm not sure if its my favorite song of all time, but it's in the running. Learning it on the piano this week. Cool channel, thanks!

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@SunCity95]

Very interesting 👍🏼 liked how you dissected the lyrics. Came across your video by chance. Glad I did.

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Awesome, thank you!

[@user-id7zy7gy9h]

Love love this song. I remember taking the cassette to Italy so my cousins could hear it 🎉

[@bigfish6442]

Over the top analogy Janda...Beeaauuttiiffuull...Thanks🤘🤘🤘

[@zapapelttari8226]

Very interesting, thank you. My understanding the cover of Combat Rock was shot in Thailand. Anyway, great song.

[@tomharry9465]

Thanks for this. I have a greater appreciation of this song after this and a YT short I saw. I'd still like to hear how it would have turned out had it remained a love song.

[@juevosrantsyoutube]

great video thanks for making this

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RASTANAUT]

As soon as I heard it on a Sopranos clip, I had to watch the whole series! It's one of those songs I can hear at least once every year of my life til I depart. It just has a certain mystique that helps it endure over time.

[@behindthesongpodcast]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@seaacow6347]

Haha, the clip where Tony chases Phil about his money. I watched that ep last week, I’m about a dozen episodes from finishing the series and love it, but at also a bit sad that there will be no more episodes. Great song nonetheless.

[@lycheeedits5780]

exact scenario I'm in now, It's been a near daily listen for a year now haha

[@sonboogie]

Appreciate the song even more now.

[@kellyj.azania4371]

Woo, girl! Thank you for explaining and breaking it all down! I remember where I was when I first heard this! It was my first day as a 12th-grader. As I walked into the school cafeteria for breakfast, my best friend, Paula ran up to me all excited. She couldn't WAIT to catch me up on the local neighborhood news (I'd spent the summer on my grandmother's farm). Back then, our school would play the radio over the p.a.--- "Rock The Casbah" came on. Mind blown! I'm like, "What is this?!". Paula's response, "Girrrl, that's THE CLASH! We gotta catch you up!" Those were the days.

[@behindthesongpodcast]

I love this story so much!! Thanks Kelly!

[@kellyj.azania4371]

@@behindthesongpodcast 😉✊

[@behindthesongpodcast]

@@kellyj.azania4371 ✊😁

[@hansschjlberg172]

One issue only: the cover photo of Combat Rock was not shot in the US, but in Asia. I think it was in Thailand.

[@borbetomagus]

Pennie Smith shot the cover photo for "Combat Rock" in March 1982 outside Bangkok in Thailand on a deserted railway line east of the Makkasan train station. Pennie Smith also shot the photo used for the cover of "London Calling" which was taken at the Palladium in New York City on September 20, 1979. The music video for "Rock the Casbah" was filmed in Austin, Texas by director Don Letts on June 8-9, 1982.

[@johanhemblom446]

Wow! Amazing sum up!

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Thank you!

[@vthyaga]

Excellent work, BTS!

[@theclashcalling_]

The band's first gig was indeed with the Sex Pistols but was in fact on July 4th at Sheffield's Black Swan pub. AKA 'The Mucky Duck' (!)

[@cream7947]

This is DOPE ❤

[@gerrymeyer813]

The Clash were awesome

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Gerry Meyer Yes they were!

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Yes they were!

[@KnockOut242]

I’ve always loved this song but never knew any of the backstory to it. I am a sixties baby and grew up listening to The Clash.

[@johnolmos8670]

Song was extremely ahead of its time. Very awesome way to rebel against the middle East’s embargo on western music

[@user-wf5lo9hk7b]

I honestly never liked this song or should I stay or should I go? I just didn’t and now that you’ve explained all of this including what the band was going through at that time and each meaning with historical fact I have a new respect for this song and for the members, thank you so much.

[@tacticaltuna]

Way more interesting than i expected

[@ivanfranco2363]

You did your homework, lady! Loved the lyric explanation! It was a big eye opener!!!

[@SavvyMuhon]

There’s something so satisfying about the way she says, “Rock the Casbah”

[@Drumnedwin7]

For it’s the “Sharif don’t like it” part lol

[@user-wf5lo9hk7b]

I was just gonna say all of this😂😂😂 that part

[@pentegarn1]

Well "Sharif don't like it" makes total sense now. And still has meaning on the streets right now.

[@KingRanchW]

always heard it the sheriff don't like it 😂 i will continue to sing it that way

[@SavvyMuhon]

Same with me always saying, “Rock the cash box” as a kid lol. I always just imagined the Clash were robbing a dive bar or something

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

I believe the sheriff still doesn’t like it 😂

[@stoneygamer2094]

I love ur channel can you do don henley the end of the innocence

[@TheMajestic-band1]

Topper Headon said in a recent interview that it was Norman Watt-Roy played bass on "Rock the Casbah"

[@ianmcbride412]

Met Strummer the last time he played Dublin with the mescaleros, and kept each other company till dawn, a pure gentlemen with hollow legs, Felt he was wrong dumping both Topper n Mick, 🧷😎🎵

[@tbone2859]

I always thought it was “ drop your bombs using the Memorex” Damn, 42 years getting this banger wrong😂

[@zappababe8577]

Sad that the drummer didn't get to be in the video, when it was his song and he was so talented. Don't do heroin kids, stick to weed and you'll be okay.

[@chewacan]

Too cool! Great job.

[@behindthesongpodcast]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@cestwhat1317]

Amazing analysis!

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Thank you!

[@tageschance5501]

🤩👍🏽❤️‍🔥🙌🏾😍

[@marioduran7913]

I love you!!

[@marctopel7982]

Umm, you got the lyrics wrong. It should be "Sharlene don't like it, rock the cashbox"

[@behindthesongpodcast]

I think you meant “the sheep don’t like it.” 🎶

[@jameshalbert181]

My ex wife is named Sharlene this has real meaning to me she's a total materialist

[@lethargicstove2024]

Think you meant “Shawty don’t right click, rock the cat box “

[@charlenerevell7543]

Lol. This song came on the radio today while we were traveling & my daughter thought it was my name....Charlene. I read the lyrics & listened to the explanation. This song is still a hit in 2021!!! 💯

[@charlenerevell7543]

@@lethargicstove2024 Lol. Lol

[@publicalias8172]

I guess Gerry liked the clash

[@behindthesongpodcast]

David James Evidently!

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello hay my favorite band ever my ex wife and i named our oldest son 16 years old now Strummer Clash Palace ✌️👍

[@FerdinandDGr8]

Awesome 👌 class A s**t

[@cswann8]

Hmm...I'm early. I guess I can lay down the drum, piano and bass tracks myself. Legend! Also how in hell does this have less than 200 likes after 2+ years?

[@inspectre27]

Because there's about a million errors in it?

[@feelkollins]

The cover was shot by Pennie Smith in Thailand not Austin, fwiw

[@phoenixbleu1730]

This video is extremely underrated. This is musical, cultural and political history all wrapped up in one amazing song! Sherif don't like it!

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Thank you!

[@DeanMartinson-ci3lk]

sherif does like it.

[@jameshalbert181]

Mentally tardated is what I always heard

[@behindthesongpodcast]

Ha! I heard it as mentally bodacious.

[@peterschwarz7158]

Is this Megan Mullally?

[@greggstrasser5791]

11:37 Let's just gloss over it not being kosher.

[@roybennett9284]

Joe strummer..sadly missed...heart attack early 50s...get checked early guys with your medico.

[@inspectre27]

OK, I know the person above (who makes a lot of mistakes in this video) and some of the internet lyrics pages both say that the line is "electric camel drum", but don't you think that it could possibly (and more feasibly) be "electric kettle drum"? Electric camel drum is nonsense, but electric kettle drum is a play on words using the terms "electric kettle" (which every good English household must have) and "kettle drums" (also known as timpani), creating a sort of portmanteau phrase. So don't you think it makes more sense for the phrase to use "kettle" rather than "camel"? Any response, Behind the Song?

[@brettblyth1857]

A traditional Arabian method of playing the drums by a camel carrying a man with double drums which he is beating with sticks.

[@DeanMartinson-ci3lk]

the oil down the dessert way has been shaken to the top.

[@crushsatan]

The Iranians probably wouldn't be so uptight about Western music if we hadn't overthrown their government.

[@algerianjonsnow4911]

Exactly.

[@escapefelicity2913]

You get A+ in elocution

[@riff2072]

Words written on a napkin. Most valued....

[@gerrymeyer813]

The Clash were awesome

[@gerrymeyer813]

The Clash were awesome

[@gerrymeyer813]

The Clash were awesome

[@gerrymeyer813]

The Clash were awesome

[@zappababe8577]

I think you were trying to tell people The Clash were awesome, but I'm not quite sure.

[@brettblyth1857]

I'm afraid "awesome" is not an accurate English discription for a British band, it's an adjective that grates on the ear, so please refrain.