The Clash believes powerful messages are best delivered in a musical form.
Bassist Paul Simonon says it worked to their advantage to have a heavy message with a catchy tune. “Once you get a great tune playing in a disco or pub, the idea of people going home saying, ‘Wow! That was a great tune. What was it about?’ is powerful,” he told AP Radio.
Simonon says that kind of communication still works, as heard in classics like “London Calling” and “Rock the Casbah.”
Guitarist Mick Jones says they’ve all taken great solace in music in times of hardship. Jones believes no matter what’s going on in the world, music makes it better.
The Clash were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday. Highlights from the ceremony will be shown on VH1 Sunday night at 9 p.m.