This is one of the most famous songs of the British punk band The Clash. The composition from the Combat Rock album showed impressive results in the charts of several countries and even topped the charts in the band’s homeland.
It has been released as a single several times. She entered the famous ratings of the best works in the history of modern music. Dozens of popular artists have recorded cover versions of Should I Stay or Should I Go. For decades, it has continued to be included in the soundtracks of films and TV shows, as well as used in advertising and on television.
History and meaning of the song Should I Stay or Should I Go
It was written in 1981. Its co-authors are all four musicians of the group who worked on the Combat Rock album: Mick Jones (Mick Jones), Joe Strummer (Joe Strummer), Paul Simonon (Paul Simonon) and Topper Headon (Topper Headon). The main vocals were performed by Mick Jones.
What is Should I Stay or Should I Go about? There are two key theories in The Clash fan circle. According to one of them, the composition is dedicated to the stormy relationship between Mick Jones and American singer Ellen Foley. According to another, the text dealt with the threat of dismissal of the musician from the group.
Mick Jones explained the meaning of Should I Stay or Should I Go in a simpler way:
It wasn’t about anyone in particular, and it didn’t prevent me from leaving The Clash. It was just a good driving song, our attempt at writing a classic… When we were just playing, that was exactly what we liked to play.
1000 UK #1 Hits
Backing vocals in Spanish were sung by Joe Strummer and Joe Ely. The Clash frontman recalled:
Without thinking, I said, “I’ll sing along in Spanish.” We needed an interpreter, so cameraman Eddie Garcia called my mother in Brooklyn Heights, read the words to her over the phone, and she translated them. But Eddie and his mom are from Ecuador, so Joe Eli and I sing backing vocals in Ecuadorian Spanish.
1991
Joe Eli also recalled those events:
In the song, I sing all the verses in Spanish. I even helped translate them. I translated them into Tex-Mex, and Strummer knew some Castilian Spanish because he had lived in Spain as a child. And the Puerto Rican sound engineer added a little spice to the lyrics.
Songfacts.com, 2012
I ran into them [музыкантами The Clash] in New York when they were recording Should I Stay or Should I Go and Strummer said, “Hey, help me with my Spanish.” Me, Strummer and the Puerto Rican engineer sat down and translated the words into the weirdest Spanish imaginable. Then we sang it all.
The Austin Chronicle, 2000
Recording and release
On June 10, 1982, Should I Stay or Should I Go was released as a single from the Combat Rock album. Then she got only to the seventeenth line of the British charts.
Subsequently, the composition was re-released several times, changing the songs on the back. In 1991, after Should I Stay or Should I Go was featured in an ad for Levi’s jeans, it was reintroduced to the public as a single. It topped the UK Singles Chart and also reached the top ten in several other countries.
The track is included in the famous top music rankings, including the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by the Rolling Stones and the 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs compiled by VH1.
Should I Stay or Should I Go
There is no official music video for the track. Listen to the audio published on The Clash channel.
Next is the live video of Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash.
Cover versions
Probably, this song by The Clash was most often performed by other musicians. Let’s listen to Anti-Flag’s version of Should I Stay or Should I Go.
So played Should I Stay or Should I Go UK Ukulele Orchestra.
Next is a rap version of Should I Stay or Should I Go by Ice Cube and Mack 10.
Interesting Facts
- Instead of the line If you want me off your back, there was originally the phrase On you front or on you back, hinting at positions during sex. The producers forced the musicians to change it so that the radio stations would not refuse the song.
- In September 1981, after Mick Jones was fired from The Clash, the band got into an awkward situation at a concert in Paris. The audience demanded Should I Stay or Should I Go, but the musicians could not perform it without the vocalist and the author of the track.
- Mick Jones used samples from the song in compositions recorded during his solo career.
- Should I Stay or Should I Go is featured on the soundtrack of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. She appears in several tense episodes.
- The composition was also included in the soundtrack of the computer game Far Cry 4.
- In 2012, One Direction was accused of plagiarism. Critics claimed that for the track Live While We’re Young they borrowed the guitar riff from The Clash song.
Should I Stay or Should I Go Lyrics
Darling you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here till the end of time
So you got to let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
It’s always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine and next is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision’s bugging me
Esta indecision me molesta1
If you don’t want me, set me free
Si no me quieres, librame
Exactly whom I’m supposed to be
Digame quien tengo ser
Don’t you know which clothes even fit me?
Sabes que ropas me queda?
Come on and let me know
Me tienes que decir
Should I cool it or should I blow?
Me debo ir o quedarme?
Split2
Should I stay or should I go now?
Me entra frio por los ojos
Should I stay or should I go now?
Me entra frio por los ojos
If I go there will be trouble
Si me voy va a haber peligro
And if I stay it will be double
Si me quedo va a ser doble
So you gotta let me know
Me tienes que decir
Should I cool it or should I blow?
Writer/s: JOE STRUMMER, MICK JONES
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Should I Stay Or Should I Go Lyrics
Dear, you have to make it clear
Should I stay or leave?
If you say that you are mine
I’ll be here until the very end.
So you have to make it clear
Should I stay or leave?
It’s always torment, torment, torment
You’re happy when I’m on my knees.
That’s all right, then complete darkness.
If you want to get rid of me
Come on, just let me know
Should I stay or leave?
Should I stay or leave?
Should I stay or leave?
If I leave, there will be problems
And if I stay, there will be twice as many.
Come on, just let me know…
This indecision is getting to me
Esta indecision me molesta.1
If you don’t want me, then let me go.
Si no me quieres, librame
Who do you think I should be?
Digame quien tengo ser
You don’t even know what clothes suit me, do you?
Sabes que ropas me queda?
Come on let me know
Me tienes que decir
Should I calm down or lose my temper?
Me debo ir o quedarme?
Get out!2
Should I stay or leave?
Me entra frio por los ojos
Should I stay or leave?
Me entra frio por los ojos
If I leave, there will be problems
Si me voy va a haber peligro
And if I stay, there will be twice as many.
Si me quedo va a ser doble
You have to make it clear
Me tienes que decir
Should I calm down or lose my temper?
