"Tony Adams" is a song by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, released in 2003. The song is a tribute to Tony Adams, a former English professional footballer who played as a center-back for Arsenal and the England national team. The lyrics of the song paint a vivid picture of a chaotic and uncertain world. It starts with a power cut in the city, symbolizing a disruption in society. The burst of a solar flare creates a moment of darkness and confusion. Amidst this chaos, an angel wins a beauty pageant, suggesting that even in difficult times, beauty and goodness can still prevail. The song continues with references to the destruction of neon lights on Broadway and the eastern shore, leaving only saxophones and beach trombones to make music. This signifies the loss of artificiality and the return to more authentic and natural forms of expression. The protagonist of the song is lost in a world beyond the "lost city," desperately searching for a phone and encountering strange events like the moon shooting someone. The lyrics convey a sense of disorientation and disconnection. The chorus expresses the longing for the morning sun, which symbolizes hope and a new beginning. The narrator seeks clarity about whether the new world has indeed begun through the wailing and drumming. The repetition of the line "Has anybody seen the morning sun?" emphasizes the search for renewal and enlightenment. In the latter half of the song, the lyrics describe a city in chaos, with broken heels and party hats scattered around. The narrator stands on a corner that is on a fold in the map, suggesting a sense of being lost and displaced. They've lost their friends at the deportee station and are willing to go anywhere, seeking a fresh start. Overall, "Tony Adams" is a poetic and metaphoric song that explores themes of chaos, longing, and the search for a new beginning. It reflects the uncertainty and disarray of the modern world while also emphasizing the resilience and hope that can emerge from difficult times.
