Death is a Star

Album: Combat Rock (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Singer Joe Strummer wrote the song and explained in an interview with Roz Reines in 1982 that the song is about violence in films and the public's desire to see "executions" - be that literally or in terms of a career. "It's about the way we all queue up at the cinema to see someone get killed. These days, the public execution is the celluloid execution. I was examining why I want to go and see these movies," he said.

    The cinematic influence is acknowledged in lines such as "stalked through the back lots."
  • "Death is a Star" uses complex instrumentation which harks back to the experimentation of Sandinista!, featuring guitarist Mick Jones playing 1920s-esque jazz piano and soft Spanish guitar, and drummer Topper Headon uses snare brushes rather than traditional drum sticks. This complexity combined with its stop-start nature and downbeat themes (contrasting with the rest of the Combat Rock LP) meant that the band never played it live.

Comments: 2

  • Ed from ChicagoThe perfect closer for this eclectic album. My favorite clash album, and my luck for best album of 1982.
  • Droogy from Columbus OhioWow, what great insight into one of my favorite obscure songs from The Clash. Thank you for this informative piece.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Don Dokken

Don DokkenSongwriter Interviews

Dokken frontman Don Dokken explains what broke up the band at the height of their success in the late '80s, and talks about the botched surgery that paralyzed his right arm.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.