Introduction
“Rock the Casbah” is a classic song by the British punk rock band The Clas, Released in 1982 as part of their album “Combat Rock,” the track rapidly became one of the band’s most iconic and fiscally successful songs.
The Clash, created in London in 1976, achieved widespread acceptance for their politically charged lyrics, eclectic musical style, and fiery live interpretation. “Rock the Casbah” is a perfect portrait of the band’s ability to mingle punk rock with elements of reggae, stink and world music.
The song’s lyrics, composed by the band’s lead crooner and picker Joe Strummer, tell the story of a ban on rock music in an mysterious Middle Eastern country, where the populace brave the authorities by dancing and quaking out in covert. The catchy chorus, “Rock the Casbah, rock the Casbah,” became an anthem of mutiny and defiance, resonate with listeners around the world.
“Rock the Casbah” became a commercial success, reaching the top ten in multiple countries and earning usual critical praise. Its spreading part and socially applicable lyrics helped freeze The Clash’s reputation as one of the most important and authoritative bands of the punk rock era.
Decades after its release, “Rock the Casbah” remains a timeless classic, frequently featured on radio stations and playlists, and continues to encourage new generations of music fans with its powerful message and spreading energy.
Lyrics
Now the King told the boogie man
You have to let that raga drop
The oil down the desert way
Has been shakin’ to the top
The Sheik, he drove his Cadillac
He went a-cruisin’ down the ville
The muezzin was a-standin’
On the radiator grille (ow!)
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
By order of the Prophet
We ban that boogie sound
Degenerate the faithful
With that crazy Casbah sound
But the Bedouin, they brought out
The electric camel drum
The local guitar picker
Got his guitar-pickin’ thumb
As soon as the Sharif had cleared the square
They began to wail
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Now over at the temple
Oh, they really pack ’em in
The in-crowd say it’s cool
To dig this chanting thing
But as the wind changed direction
And the temple band took fire
The crowd caught a whiff
Of that crazy Casbah jive
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
The King called up his jet fighters
He said you better earn your pay
Drop your bombs between the Minarets
Down the Casbah way
As soon as the Sharif was chauffeured outta there
The jet pilots tuned to the cockpit radio blare
As soon as the Sharif was outta their hair
The jet pilots wailed
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
He thinks it’s not kosher
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
Fundamentally can’t take it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
You know he really hates it
Rockin’ the Casbah
Rock the Casbah
Sharif don’t like it
He really, really hates it