Rudie Can't Fail

Album: London Calling (1979)
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  • Now, sing, Michael, sing
    On the route of the nineteen bus
    We hear them sayin'

    How you get a rude and a reckless?
    Don't you be so crude and feckless
    You been drinking brew for breakfast
    Rudie can't fail (no, no)

    We reply

    I know that my life make you nervous
    But I tell you I can't live in service
    Like the doctor who was born for a purpose
    Rudie can't fail (ok)

    I went to the market to realize my soul
    What I need I just don't have (oh no)
    First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
    They say, Rudie can't fail

    First you must cure your temper
    Then find a job in a paper
    You need someone for a savior
    Rudie can't fail

    We reply

    Now we get a rude and a reckless
    To be seen lookin' cool an' speckless
    And drinking brew for breakfast
    Rudie can't fail (no, no, no)

    I went to the market to realize my soul
    'Cause what I need I just don't have
    First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
    Rudie can't fail

    Okay! Okay!
    So where you want to go today?
    Hey, boss man!
    You're looking pretty smart
    (Chicken skin suit) with your chicken skin suit
    You think you're pretty hot
    (Pork pie hat) In the pork pie hat

    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail
    Rudie can't fail Writer/s: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Head from Milky Way Galaxy DuhGreat band, amazing song with lots of meaning. Like Stan Lee of Marvel Comics said, "nuff said".
  • Felipe from Canoas, BrazilRudy Giuliani was called upon stage at the MTV VMA in 2001 to this song as well.
  • Blind-fitter from Leeds, United KingdomThe lyric to "Rudie Can't Fail" continues The Clash tradition of referencing admired Jamaican reggae artists. When Strummer sings of "the Doctor who was born for a purpose", this is a reference to Dr Alimantado, Jamaican reggae singer, DJ and producer whose track "Born For A Purpose" became a favoured track amongst the early UK punks, after John Lydon cited it as a personal favourite in a Radio 1 interview.
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