Joe Strummer：Meaning of Jewellers & Bums Songmeaning

"Jewellers & Bums" is a song by Joe Strummer, the former lead vocalist of punk rock band The Clash. The song tells a vivid story filled with imaginative and surreal imagery. The lyrics describe a series of unconventional and unlikely scenarios, such as checking into a car wash, eating out at a bowling alley and buying a rose at the movies on a train. These unusual situations suggest a sense of adventure and nonconformity. The song also mentions getting married by a biker and walking tall with a dwarf as a way to find relief or escape from the mundane. These images symbolize the search for something different or exciting in life. The verse about leaning on a Desoto at Muscle Beach and a four thousand car pileup on the freeway screeching with loud stereos refers to the chaotic and frenetic energy of city life. The mention of Oreos being drilled loudly suggests the excessive and overwhelming noise and stimulation of urban environments. The lyrics shift to questioning where the narrator can find someone, possibly a romantic interest. They wonder if they should look in a glittering diamond in the valley (referring to materialistic and superficial wealth) or in the harpoons of opium hooks (symbolizing dangerous or addictive relationships). The song continues with references to various events and circumstances, including armed raids on a bank, a kiosk at heaven's gates for sinners like the narrator and Hank (possibly referring to country music legend Hank Williams), and a band performing in a morgue. The broken down old cab on Concrete Row represents a desolate and forgotten part of town. As the narrator drives into the desert sun, they fire a repeating six (shoot a gun) and ask if anyone has seen anything moving or creeping. These lines suggest a sense of desperation or frustration in their search for something or someone. The mentioning of jewelers, bums, and different characters throughout the song adds to the imagery of a diverse and unconventional world. The song ends with the line implying that the whole place makes Death Valley (a barren and desolate area) look like Eden (a paradise), emphasizing the harshness and bleakness of the narrator's surroundings. Overall, "Jewellers & Bums" can be interpreted as a reflection on the search for fulfillment, connection, and meaning in an unpredictable and chaotic world. The lyrics paint a picture of urban life and various unconventional experiences, questioning where one can find true happiness or salvation.