The Guns of Brixton - the Clash

This song, from 1979, was about the social and economic resentment in the UK (particularly the Brixton area of South London, where Clash bassist Paul Simonon, who wrote and sang the song, grew up). Brixton erupted in riots in the 80s. The raw reggae nature of the song reflects a stripped-down urban existence. I really like the rough, shambling rhythm track, with its "doink doink" effects. It's a song about a makeshift existence in a hostile and crumbling world. The poetics of discontent and survival...