American Slang (song) Meaning? Joe Strummer?

Not overly familiar with The Clash or Joe Strummer, I've heard from a few people that the title track relates to Joe.

Any ideas?

ACA wrote:

Not overly familiar with The Clash or Joe Strummer, I've heard from a few people that the title track relates to Joe.

Any ideas?

Huh? It is well know though that 'I'da Called You Woody, Joe' relates to Joe Strummer.

I'm a huge Clash fan and haven't made any connection between the two. But yes, you may be thinking of "I'da Called You Woody, Joe."

I was seeing a connection with American Slang and Joe Strummer actually.

and they cut me to ribbons and taught me to drive. - he really relates to and feels connected to their music/The Clash was probably part of his soundtrack when he started driving

I got your name tattooed inside of my arm. - he has a Joe Strummer tattoo

I called for my father but my father had died. - Joe Strummer is dead, and he was a hero to Fallon

while you told me fortunes, in American Slang. - though he didn't speak the best english, he still managed to convey his message with kickass music and "American Slang"

I don't know if I'm over analyzing this haha, but I thought of this a couple weeks ago.

A lot of it could be okay except that last line really doesn't fit. Brian has explained quite a few times that the American Slang is the illusion of the American dream...that it doesn't actually work out that way. And I don't see any reason why Strummer would be speaking American Slang when he's British.

I thought the same thing when I first heard it- I gave this huge explanation to my Dad about how this song was about their musical influences and the whole thing was such a complicated bunch of references that would make people think it was about somethign else....

Turns out we're both wrong....

In the last Making of American Slang he explains the chorus, I can't remember exactly what he says, but each line is a different part of American life basically...

the name tattooed line is the romantic love story, and he explains the others too! check it out on youtube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKVvQBsaWaI

Fast forward to 1:57 and you'll get his explanation!

The explanation in that video really helped. The title track might be my new favorite!

It's about...

life basically.

I met Brian Fallon and he said it was about how he grew up. I f you don't believe me, go to my website and read his exact words: http://gaslightanthemfans.blogspot.com/2010/07/american-slang-song-meaning.html

simo wrote:

And I don't see any reason why Strummer would be speaking American Slang when he's British.

Completely agree man. I'm a massive Clash fan, since my Dad played them non-stop when I was younger, and I've never had any Clash or Joe Strummer vibes from this song. Personally I think it's allegorical rather than reality.
Also, Brian's tat isn't of Joe's name, it's a charicature image of him and his guitar right? I could be wrong about this but I think I remember watching the video where Brian talks about his tattoos? Please correct me if I'm wrong!

18milesaminute wrote:

simo wrote:

And I don't see any reason why Strummer would be speaking American Slang when he's British.

Completely agree man. I'm a massive Clash fan, since my Dad played them non-stop when I was younger, and I've never had any Clash or Joe Strummer vibes from this song. Personally I think it's allegorical rather than reality.
Also, Brian's tat isn't of Joe's name, it's a charicature image of him and his guitar right? I could be wrong about this but I think I remember watching the video where Brian talks about his tattoos? Please correct me if I'm wrong!

Yeah your right about the tattoo, it's a charicature image which he saw in a bar, I think I saw the same video

this video? =)

http://www.rocksound.tv/tv/article/the-gaslight-anthem-ii

Bea wrote:

this video? =)

http://www.rocksound.tv/tv/article/the-gaslight-anthem-ii

Yeah dude, that's the one! Knew I'd watched him talk about it

Next time I'm chatting to Mick Jones in Notting Hill Gate, I'll ask him his opinion.

Thanks to anyone who checked out my site.

Wonder if Mick knows about Gaslight. Bet he does.