The Strokes

Released: November 1, 2004

Songwriter: Joe Strummer Mick Jones

Producer: The Strokes

What are we gonna do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, "Is this man a Jew?"
'Cause they're working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying, "We earn more than you"

When we're working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue eyed man
To be you believers

The judge said five to ten but I say double that again
I'm not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown

Kick over the wall, cause governments to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Do you know that you can use it?

The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothing, so boy get runnin'
It's the best years of your life they want to steal

You grow up and you calm down
You're working for the clampdown
You start wearing blue and brown
And working for the clampdown

So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
Make your first kill now

In these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately, one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
Working for the clampdown

The Strokes burst onto the scene at a time when rock fans were desperate for an alternative to the rap-rock that was dominating the airwaves. That the band lived up to expectations after being hailed ‘saviors of guitar rock’ solely based on the strength of a three song EP is a testament to the quality of their flawless debut, July 2001’s Is This It.

Ultimately, they are a band that truly relies on the strength of the entire lead singer Julian Casablancas, lead guitarist Nick Valensi, drummer Fabrizio Moretti, guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. However, much of The Strokes' output has been influenced by the domineering vision of Casablancas' songwriting.

Before he took a small step back on their third album, January 2006’s First Impressions of Earth, and then isolated himself to record March 2011’s Angles, Casablancas was involved in almost every step of The Strokes' recording process. He wrote all of the lyrics and the music on their first two albums and was constantly involved in the mixing of the records.

more tracks from the album

The End Has No End - Single

From the album

The End Has No End - Single (2004)

The Strokes popular songs

ClampdownThe Strokes

The Strokes

The End Has No End - Single