The Clash's music was often charged with left-wing ideological sentiments. Strummer, in particular, was a committed socialist. The Clash are credited with pioneering the advocacy of radical politics in punk rock, and were dubbed the "Thinking Man's Yobs" by NME.

What did the Clash song about?

The song tackles issues of race and class. The song was also influenced by the 1976 riots at Notting Hill Carnival which band members Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon were both involved in. The riot was motivated by the police oppression that London's Caribbean residents were experiencing.

Why was Mick fired from the Clash?

Things had begun to disintegrate right before the release of 'Combat Rock' when drummer Topper Headon was fired because his heroin addiction was a drag on his precision.