From the seven songs available I chose The Clash - I'm Not Down, as I managed to interpret this song in my own way than say the other six songs. From my past experience with Secret 7, I don't want to spend too long mulling over the song selection. I'd rather go with a raw instinct than forcing an interpretation of the songs.
When listening to 'The Clash - I'm Not Down' a number of times, I started to gather ideas that the song resonates the feeling of defiance. The lyrics and general rhythm and flow of the song give me this sense but also the background behind the song. The lyrics below:
If it's true that a rich man leads a sad life
N' that's what they from day to day
Then what do all the poor do with their lives?
Have nothing to say on judgment day?
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, I'm not down
On my own I faced a gang of jeering in strange streets
When my nerves were pumping and I
Fought my fear in, I did not run
I was not done
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, I'm not down
And I have lived that kind of day
When one of your sorrows will go away
It goes down and down and hit the floor
Down and down and down some more
Depression
But I now there'll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers rising up
Floor by floor, I'm not giving up
So you rock around and think that
You're the toughest
In the world, the whole wide world
But you're streets away from where
It gets the roughest
You ain't been there
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, I'm not down
I've been shown up, but I've grown up
And I'm not down, I'm not down
I'm not down, I'm not down
I'm not down, I'm not down
I'm not down, I'm not down
I'm not down, I'm not down
Whether it be the track title of 'I'm Not Down' or lyrics such as 'I've been beat up, I've been thrown out But I'm not down, I'm not down', this song is up and down at times but is up beat and drowns out the depressing factor. Simply I think its about not giving up, and believing in yourself. And not letting anything drag you down or crush your spirits.
The song is the 17th track on the highly acclaimed album 'London Calling' and the lead vocals are sung by Mick Jones, who wrote the song as a response and defiance to difficult times he had faced, like the assault described in verse 2. The first time it was played live, at Notre Dame Hall in July 1979, Stummer introduced it by saying, “I hope no one is contemplating suicide!” If so I don't believe this song is too depressing, as I stated above. Yes it has an air of misery but its overthrown with defiance.
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