The Clash: “Tommy Gun” (1978)
“If death comes so cheap, then the same goes for life.”
Kronomyth 2.1: Submachine gun etiquette.
I have to admit, Tommy Gun is a great anti-war song. It wouldn’t make my top ten from The Clash, but this is The Clash we’re talking about: a band so amazing that they could stick a song like 1-2, Crush on You on the B side without a second thought. Joe Strummer’s lyrics are fantastic on “Tommy Gun.” It’s a shame he’s not around anymore. I’d give my eye teeth to hear what he had to say about Trump and Gaza and income inequality. Oh, but wait! The world had tyrants and wars and oligarchs even in the 70s. The names have changed but the shame remains. Conservative America is still trying to homogenize the human race. Palestine is still fighting for peace. Donald Trump is still rich and behaving badly. Turns out revolutionary rhetoric makes for better lyrics than law. Which is why I prefer “1-2, Crush on You.” You just have to convince one person for love to exist, but you’d have to convince the whole world to achieve justice.
Original 7-inch single version
A1. Tommy Gun (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones) (3:17)
B1. 1-2, Crush on You (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones) (2:58)
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch single on November 24, 1978 in the UK (CBS, S CBS-6788) and the Netherlands (CBS, CBS 6788) and on January 8, 1979 in Australia (CBS, BA 222487) with regional picture sleeve. Reached #19 on the UK charts.
I agree that Tommy Gun is an anti-war song, and the line “If death comes so cheap, then the same goes for life” is especially striking.
My own interpretation of that lyric is actually the opposite of yours, but I still think it’s brilliant how the band makes its anti-war stance clear — it’s a reminder of their genius.
I also have my own take on this song and on 1–2 Crush on You, the track on the B-side.
Whenever you have the chance, it might be interesting to compare it with your perspective.