Dictator

Album: Cut the Crap (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a character sketch about US-funded Central American despots, calling back to the song "Washington Bullets" on 1980 album Sandinista! Included in the lyrics is a subtle reference to the Sergio Leone movie For a Few Dollars More ("Cos I need a few more dollars, For my fighter pilot to be free").
  • "Dictator" made it into the post-Mick Jones Clash lineup's live set for most of 1984, where it was played faster and harder in a more Heavy Metal arrangement, suggesting that the original studio recording was marred by the over-reliance on poor-quality synths and drum machines during the making of Cut the Crap.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.