The Clash - The Dictator (Rebooted)

[@xxRafaelProductions]

Knew there was potential for a good song in "Dictator" that was unfortunately squandered by bad production. This video proves it, as it really brought out the potential of that song

[@santiagodiaz3358]

I'm glad they kept the football stadium chants in this rebooted version, that's one of the good parts of the original album lmo

[@as3cs3]

definitely. I loved all the background stuff on CtC

[@markwilliams7054]

The ‘Oy’ choir sucks

[@technounionrepresentative4274]

people like to complain about the chants but tons of clash songs had chants, it's the drum machine, synth and radio noise that made dictator not feel like a clash song

[@BobConanOwen]

It’s a travesty really - this song would have been up there with “London calling” and “Rock the casbah” if released in this form. Some amazing songs on this album.

[@alleycattle]

That's funny.

[@gladstonepayton7834]

I'd dare say this would have been a classic had it followed this progression.

[@arthurb6882]

It’s definitely not up there with those songs even in this form, not at all, it’s alright

[@dr.aisaitl7439]

I don't think it's that good but it's light years better than Cut The Crap

[@clash7784]

This version surely burns with the fire that The Clash Mk. 2 had live... essential listening.

[@Coraspect]

You are a god among men, good sir. You should send a copy of this to CBS - a proper release like this from the master vocals could only be a win. I think this could rewrite the last tragic chapter of the band.

[@BobConanOwen]

Is that 1 dislike from Bernie Rhodes?!

[@KathleenMontana]

😂

[@thestonedabbot9551]

I knew there was a great song buried in there. Fantastic

[@MrKenichi22]

W-wow! This version sounds... like a song! Much better!

[@craigevans4694]

Much better. This feels like The Clash not whatever that wonky honking crap off the album was. Does it justice and gives it the life it deserves.

[@bluesvengalis]

About 5,000,000 times better than the released version

[@xavierbrenner6219]

This is what we all wanted cut the crap to be!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

This is fantastic! I was commenting on IG a couple of weeks ago (right around when this was uploaded oddly enough) that someone should do a "naked" version of Cut the Crap--removing all Bernie's music, and supplying Joe's great vocals with the music they deserve. These new versions give this final incarnation of the band a far better legacy. Thank you so much for uploading!

[@a.champagne6238]

Since he is co-writer of these songs, Bernie Rhodes would have to sign off on on it in order for it to happen. I'd love for that to happen but I wouldn't hold my breath. Damn shame because I really want to hear this album the way Joe intended it.

[@officialFredDurstfanclub]

Might happen when he dies, you never know

[@andchat6241]

@@a.champagne6238 yes ,that's a good point . Though if Joe's estate agreed could Paul block as a 'permanent member' ?. You would think Bernie would welcome the chance of 'A second hearing ' for the lp (& some royalty payments) as I can't believe he was happy with the released version ...but he always was contrary & would sometimes throw a spanner in the works ....who knows ?

[@realsinisterminister]

@@andchat6241 It was Bernie controlling the terrible sounds etc Bernie was an ideas man but I personally (and Joe has said) it wasnt a 50/50 thing........Bernard had some weird control over Joe.........almost like Malcom with Steve

[@andyhowpog]

This is how, not just this song, but the whole album should have sounded. Thanks for the upload.

[@supertimerip]

Yes I am the dictator the more guns I got the better Yes I am the liquidator I carry the old Beretta You know there once was freedom You know how dangerous that can be The people used to dance and sing And they used to run wild in the streets But now I am the voice Howling from your radio From my armor plated Cadillac You'll hear what I say goes Yes I am the dictator I satisfy the U.S. team I always do my killing in the woods and keep the city gutters clean Cause I need a few more dollars For my fighter pilot to be free To dive bomb on the population If they go running wild in the streets Yes I am that voice, etc Yes I am the crusader I spent twenty years in exile But now I am the invader and I'm never never gonna die Yes I am the dictator my name is on your ballot sheet But until my box has your cross you know the form is incomplete

[@eckiramone3178]

These reboot versions are a major achievement, thank you Sir!

[@dezmod1644]

I was working in a hospital when CTC came out, so I bought the album, blasted that tape, I also got the t shirt, we wore own clothes there, I almost got sent home

[@aria4943]

Now this is an actual song.

[@mikeyicxc]

Phenomenal! You've made CTC the album they needed and one that is a great transition away from Combat Rock and Sandinista. You've done the world a great favor!

[@clintonstokes401]

Fantastic, thank you. Not only is the album now listenable, much of it is actually enjoyable!

[@jasonburtally5477]

Thank you so much, John! I always said CTC was an understimated album because the mix. But now, you just give a very decent justice to it. Well done!

[@noesunyoutuber7680]

Wow, it actually sounds like a fucking song now!

[@kidwaryodproduction]

Even the original it was actually funny album to heard. But your rework making this one more wonderful 🙂👍

[@stephanvenner2939]

It sounds so much better with Guitars and Drums.If Cut the Crap would have been recorded like this it would have been a great Album.

[@alholdway2003]

This is great. Thanks John Heston for all of your own songs and cover songs.

[@ravelgp]

What a fantastic job! Even with all the "problems", I love Cut the crap, but now so much more!

[@SanFran51]

Oh it's so much better..... than the version it got released.

[@musicandfilms9956]

It sounds a bit like the Beatles' Free as a Bird: the vocal is audibly inferior in recording quality to the rest of the track. It's a shame that you didn't have access to the original multitrack, because your instrumentation is great.

[@markcampbell8622]

I love this version!!!!!

[@nickjeffery3432]

CBS/Sony should release these versions 🙌

[@rodrigocastellari4460]

Thats SO FCKING AMAZING!

[@joeychickenskin]

This is great. I was thinking of learning acoustic versions of cut the crap as I remember seeing Clash ii at Brixton Academy and being excited about the new songs.

[@massimo5526]

S T R E P I T O SO ! cosi doveva nascere................!

[@BobConanOwen]

Amazing!!!! I always thought this was such a great song and you have proved me right…..

[@E.C.2]

Good job,friend!

[@louisk8125]

All these cut the crap reboots are amazing, is their any possibility you could do ‘Sex Max Roar’ by the Clash

[@mutantproof]

I could but the B-side version is played by the whole group (like Do It Now). So no need to de-berniate that songs.

[@louisk8125]

@@mutantproof okay thanks

[@JetpackGamer456]

Holy shit it's an actual song now???

[@shawarmaboy4844]

This is so good ! Thank you!

[@senatorjimdracula1603]

Great job!!

[@jeanlucmosnier2026]

Fantastic !!

[@craigstephen8207]

Would love to get this on vinyl or cd

[@officialFredDurstfanclub]

Cut the Crap could’ve been something. It wouldn’t be London Calling tier but if the whole album was like this, it would’ve been at least on par with Combat Rock or Give ‘Em Enough Rope. There’s something there, hidden beneath the ridiculous samples and horrible production.

[@HeyItsAJOmega]

Man, it says a lot that you can still hear bits of the awful drum machines and noise in the vocal recordings even after such hard work to clean it up! What a horrible mess the mixing and production of CTC was. This is an amazing effort to rebuild and redo the tracks from the ground up! Also bittersweet in that, imagine if Joe and the band had this from the beginning, the band esp. the new guys wouldve been so much more excited to actually play on this record and make it as they wanted to, full of that fresh energy they wanted to bring. And without being so alienated by Bernie's BS and everything going down the toilet, maybe Joe is more focused and dialled in with his lyrics and performances for the whole album - lets be real, songs like Dirty Punk and Fingerpoppin' really needed a second draft of the lyrics at the very least! - and imagine how much higher tracks like this and This Is England would've soared with a fully checked-in band and Joe on top form. Alas, so many what-ifs. But an incredible effort to make this reboot project happen means we can at least dream of a world where the last Clash album isn't just an embaressing footnote that even the band refuse to acknowledge and want to pretend never happened.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

What are the copyright implications of this kind of thing, please? The reason I ask is that, with today's technology, could something like this be released as a legitimate album & part of the clash's discography?

[@xtragurl6369]

Good job

[@Zatsu-vw1fs]

You "Saved the Crap". It can be even further refined with current AI technology.

[@yayoefsi]

This is great. But the original is a masterpiece

[@nekroscot]

Is there any possible way to get a FLAC version of this sent to my email? Love what you have done here.

[@bigron8896]

You're a wizard. Actually sounds like music now. This was the worst mix/master of a major album prior to the RHCP Californication. Epic records should pay you for this and re-release it.

[@shaun57661]

Any chance you could do Do It Now?

[@Flowtail]

But utter confusion was why i searched for this song :(

[@mememastering4627]

great job. ctc was better than it sounded.

[@sndr666]

Is there anywhere I can get a download link for these versions? They sound awesome!!

[@matblack2252]

Is this available to buy or download?

[@nankypooh655]

Dirty Punk is a much better song, IMHO

[@Borkic.na.Aparatima........]

It's still not a good album. The music is empty and poor. This song is good.

[@glennvage]

awful...wheres bernies too many halucies cacophany...

[@maynardwayward12]

This is still awful

[@lennon1482]

still terrible

[@arkanoiddude]

Not nearly as bad as the mess that's on the album

[@mememastering4627]

they definitely were a different band than the clash & this captures at least that.

[@e11aguru]

It doesn't sound great, but even mediocre Clash sounds incredible compared to the original.

[@mattiadelre4355]

Yes I am the dictator the more guns I got the better Yes I am the liquidator I carry the old Beretta You know there once was freedom You know how dangerous that can be The people used to dance and sing And they used to run wild in the streets But now I am the voice Howling from your radio From my armor plated Cadillac You'll hear what I say goes Yes I am the dictator I satisfy the U.S. team I always do my killing in the woods and keep the city gutters clean Cause I need a few more dollars For my fighter pilot to be free To dive bomb on the population If they go running wild in the streets Yes I am that voice, etc Yes I am the crusader I spent twenty years in exile But now I am the invader and I'm never never gonna die Yes I am the dictator my name is on your ballot sheet But until my box has your cross you know the form is incomplete And you know, etc