Safe European Home

I considered calling this blog Safe European Home, after a song by one of the best bands of all time, The Clash. As the world implodes on itself, be it through credit crunches, war or reality television I’m sitting here in my Safe European Home in quaint, ol' Amsterdam.

On second thoughts, as the title for a whole blog it was kinda shit and obscure. Nonetheless I found this ragtag tapped-together piece of footage from The Clash documentary Westway to the World. It’s been re-cut from the original way film maker Don Letts edited it, but I do like the content.

The song is about Joe and Mick’s trip to Jamaica to explore the sounds of reggae and how on arrival the Brits didn’t feel welcome in Kingston. Thus on return they were happy to be in their Safe European Home.

The song itself is not the best Clash song ever -– that would be “Train in Vain (Stand By Me)” – but it still fucking well rocks.

The clip also shows their growing interest in hiphop culture and Topper’s drug use which would end up the drummer’s Clash career.

Pop quiz: What British group sampled the kid’s rap on their 2004 album?

You can watch Westway to the World in its entirety on youtube.