1979 song by the Clash
| "Rudie Can't Fail" | |
|---|---|
 Dutch single release | |
| Song by the Clash | |
| from the album London Calling | |
| B-side | "Bankrobber" / "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" |
| Released | 14 December 1979 |
| Recorded | June–July, 1979 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:26 |
| Label | CBS |
| Songwriter(s) | Joe Strummer, Mick Jones |
| Producer(s) | Guy Stevens |
"Rudie Can't Fail" is a song by the English punk rock band the Clash, featured on their 1979 album London Calling. The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, who sing it as a duet.
Composition
Like some songs on London Calling, "Rudie Can't Fail" has a strong reggae, rocksteady influence. Donald A. Guarisco of Allmusic described it as "an exuberant horn-driven number that mixes pop and soul elements in to spice up its predominantly reggae sound".
Lyrics
"Rudie Can't Fail" praises the rude boys of Jamaica in the 1960s who challenged their elders' status quo. The song is about a fun-loving young man who is criticised by his elders for not acting as a responsible adult, drinking beer at breakfast, and describe him as being "so crude and feckless", to which he responds "I know that my life make you nervous, but I tell you I can't live in service." The song's title derives from Desmond Dekker's 1967 song "007 (Shanty Town)", and is in homage to Ray Gange, who had portrayed a roadie who quits his job to follow the Clash around in the 1980 film Rude Boy. Rudie Can't Fail was the working title of a planned second movie for which The Clash would provide the soundtrack. Reference is made also to Dr Alimantado and his 1977 song "Born for a Purpose" in the line "Like the doctor who was born for a purpose". The line "You're looking pretty smart in your chicken skin suit", may refer to Alimantado's debut album, Best Dressed Chicken in Town.
See also
- Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe, a diner in California named after the song
References
- "The Clash's 20 greatest songs of all time - Far Out Magazine". faroutmagazine. Jack Whatlet. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Rudie Can't Fail at Allmusic
- Perone, James E. (2012). The Album: A Guide to Pop Music's Most Provocative, Influential, and Important Creations. ABC-CLIO. p. 162. ISBN 9780313379062. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- Gray, Marcus (2004). The Clash: Return Of The Last Gang In Town. Hal Leonard. pp. 253, 307. ISBN 9781617749179. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Hal Leonard. p. 134. ISBN 9780879306076. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
- Moskowitz, David Vlado (2006). Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall. Greenwood. p. 296. ISBN 9780313331589. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
