THAT SONG: TWO SONGS IN REVERANCE OF ROCK & ROLL HEROES
“STRUMMERVILLE” by STIFF LITTLE FINGERS
“LI’L BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS” by THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH
On a recent morning run, I was listening to a playlist of the Stiff Little Fingers, the best band ever to come from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and one of the best punk bands ever to come from anywhere, really. Their song “Strummerville” from the album Guitar and Drum came on. That song makes me smile right away, then it makes me a little sad, and then I usually just switch from listening to Stiff Little Fingers and move to The Clash. Truly though, it’s a great song, and if anyone ever deserved to have a song written about how inspirational he was, it’s Joe Strummer. If you aren’t familiar with the song, I believe you will like it just because it’s a great song. But if you happen to be a fan of The Clash - and especially of Joe Strummer, as I am - you’re going to love it. The lyrics are provided below in their entirety because I couldn’t just choose one verse.
The song was written by Jake Burns (guitar & vocals), who I got to see play live way back in the day in 1981 and again in 2015. Jake Burns and company are a great live band. They played “Strummerville” as part of their set when I saw them in 2015 (the song didn’t exist in ’81). In an emotional introduction of the song, you could tell Jake has a true affinity and gratitude for Joe Strummer. And while Jake is not Joe Strummer, I could definitely see someone writing a song about him someday as well. Toward the end of the song, although not in the lyrics below, you’ll hear Jake yelling, “Clash, Clash, Clash City Rockers…”
STRUMMERVILLE
(Jake Burns)
You lit a flame in my heart
And it is burning still
And every time I hear you shout
It still gives me a thrill
I can see you up there
With your right leg pumping
Goodbye inspiration
Voice of a generation
Goodbye Inspiration
I won't be playing Strummerville again
You wore your heart on your sleeve
With honesty and pride
You gave me hope, made me believe
That what I did was right
You brought out a passion
That had long been missing
Yeah you brought out a passion
That you never stopped giving
[Chorus x2]
And if music seems mundane
It's cos the companies get their own way
And all the young bands seem to say
Please turn our rebellion into money
So thanks for giving me my creed
I'll try to stay onside
Y'or helping me to dare to dream
After all this time
Cos I still see you up there
On a stage and playing
Yeah I still see you up there
I still agree with what you’re saying
[Chorus x2]
“Strummerville” by Stiff Little Fingers
Next up is a song from the 1982 self-titled debut album by The Lords of the New Church. Having been a huge fan of the Dead Boys and Stiv Bator in particular, as well as Brian James, guitarist from The Damned; this was a band that I was destined to love. And love them I do. The song I want to bring to your attention is called “Li’l Boys Play with Dolls.” This song pays tribute to The New York Dolls by managing to work the title of nearly every New York Dolls song into the lyrics (nearly every song from the two original records). It’s pretty impressive really. The lyrics are below, so you can see for yourself. The idea sounds kind of contrived, but in reality - other than the track “Russian Roulette”- this is one of the strongest tracks on the record. Like Joe Strummer, the New York Dolls were an inspiration to so many of the bands I grew up listening to. The Dolls were true pioneers of the music that I care about.
LI’L BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS
(Bator/James)
Well come on. Now we were stranded in the jungle looking for some
Rock And Roll. Like Vietnamise babies on a food patrol. Well
Babylon's kids were just out lookin' for a kiss. When mystery girls
took the stage give 'em a great big kiss. Well hey jet
boys where ya goin'? Wat'cha doin'? What is da mattah wit 'cho?
Well a lonely planet boy shared a dream with Frankenstein. With
Ricky corvette and a puss-in-boots to keep the time. Then come
London pills, Billy splits the scene. And a bad detective got
nigged right from the queen. Well hey trash boys wat'cha wearin'?
Wit people starin'? What is da mattah wit'cho? Well they
'smacked' the world like a human being subway train. Personality
crisis brought a whole down again. Chatterbox don't you
start me talking 'bout no dirty arm. Hey bad girls it's too
late to repair the harm. Well hey boys where ya goin'? Wat'cha
doin'? What is da mattah wit'cho?
Well when Li'l Boys Play With Dolls they gonna show them all.
But when li'l boys played with dolls they really showed them all.
L'il boys playin', Li'l Boys Play With Dolls. Don't mess with cupid.
Shatter the dreams of all. Why do li'l boys stop being li'l boys
who play with dolls? Hey wat'sa mattah wit'cho? Private world..
Wat'cha gonna do? You best believe I'm in love too, L-U-V
LUV....too much. Too soon.
“Li’l Boys Play with Dolls” by The Lords of the New Church
I hope you find these two songs to be both great and inspirational—at least inspirational enough to remind you to go listen to The Clash and The New York Dolls. There must be tons of songs out there that fit this mold. Jason Ringenberg (from Jason & the Scorchers) has a great song called “God Bless the Ramones.” What others are there that pay tribute to the greatest bands of all time?