Besides Bach's Goldberg Variations......

[Dale]

...is there any greater music than "Rock the Casbah" by THE CLASH?

[Cynth]

Surely there must be.

[Dale]

Surely there must be.

Ok. So. What?

[Jack]

What is that?

[Cynth]

Okay. Gimme a place where I can go hear this. I mean, I have to admit I have not heard of The Clash, much less "Rock the Casbah". I will go listen to it, I promise.

[Dale]

These kids today....

[Cynth]

Oh, sigh, I will go look them up---now I'm curious. I mean, I'm 55! I thought it was a modern group.

[Jack]

[Cynth]

Okay, I went to a website and heard part of that song.

They started as a group in 1976! They were part of the punk scene (I had no idea it started that early) which explains why I never heard of them.

I have heard of the Sex Pistols however. A fine lot they turned out to be.

Now I can say with certaintly that virtually any other piece of music in the world other than something else sung by these people would be greater than "Rock the Casbah" by THE CLASH in my opinion.

This is, of course, not to say anything demeaning about those who do find this music rewarding to listen to.

An example? Ummm. "Sixteen Tons" sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford?

[izzarina]

...is there any greater music than "Rock the Casbah" by THE CLASH?

Well, anything by the Clash is just plain awesome anyway. So I guess the answer to your question would be no.....unless of course you start asking about the Dead Kennedys or Siouxie and the Banshees

[scottielvr]

Hmm. Just to muddy the 80s waters a bit....

Maybe....Talking Heads' "And She Was."

Or... After The Fire, ..."Der Kommissar".

Or... "My Sharona," the Knack; surely that could have been a contender?

[Chang He]

The whole "London Calling" album was great. And yes, I'm under 30, so don't lose hope yet, Mr. Wisely.

Although personally, instead of the "Goldberg Variations" I would pick the "Mass in B minor." But then, I just got the LPs (yes, vinyl!!) of Glenn Gould's 1953 "Variations" and I have to admit...there is magic in that.

[The Sporting Pitchfork]

Here's a few that I think are pretty good from (roughly) the same period--

The Buzzcocks--"Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't Have Fallen In Love WIth)?"
The Jam--"Down The Tube Station At Midnight"
Keith Hudson--"I'm Alright"
The Ramones--"Sheena Is A Punk Rocker"
Iggy Pop--"Lust For Life"
The Undertones--"Teenage Kicks" (This one was reputedly BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel's favorite song ever)
Stiff Little Fingers--"Alternative Ulster"
Gang of Four--"At Home He's A Tourist"
Orange Juice--"Falling & Laughing"
David Bowie--"Heroes"
Ian Dury--"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"
The Go-Betweens--"Lee Remick"
Talking Heads--"I'm Not In Love", "Air" , "Cities."
Joy Division--Just about everything, but especially "Insight", "Transmission", "New Dawn Fades", and "Love Will Tear Us Apart."
The Waitresses--"No Guilt"
The Specials--"Too Much Too Young"
Grandmaster Flash--"White Lines"
Elvis Costello--"Less Than Zero", "Alison", and the "This Year's Model" album in its entirety.

[jsluder]

...is there any greater music than "Rock the Casbah" by THE CLASH?

Define "greater", as used in this context.

[PJ]

The answer is yes. The song is:

Shane McGowan & the Pogues, the Sickbed of Cuchulain. But be warned. This song should only be listened to when one is:

1. Extremely drunk (preferably on Powers)
2. Wearing docs.

I love the part about getting sick in the church.