The Right Profile

Album: London Calling (1979)
Play Video
  • Say, where did I see this guy?
    In "Red River"?
    Or a "Place In The Sun"?
    Maybe "The Misfits"?
    Or "From Here To Eternity"?

    And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
    And everybody say, "What's he like?"
    And everybody say, "He sure looks funny"
    That's Montgomery Clift, honey

    New York, New York, 42nd Street
    Hustlers rustle and pimps pimp the beat
    Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
    He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn

    And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
    And everybody say, "What's he like?"
    And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
    That's that Montgomery Clift, honey

    I see a car smashed at night
    Cut the applause and dim the light
    Monty's face is broken on a wheel
    Is he alive? Can he still feel?

    And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
    And everybody say, "Shine a light"
    And everybody say, "It's not funny"
    That's Montgomery Clift, honey

    Shoot his right profile

    And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
    And everybody say, "What's he like?"
    And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
    That's Montgomery Clift, honey

    Nembutol numbs it all
    But I prefer alcohol

    And everybody say, "What's he like?"
    And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
    And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
    That's Montgomery Clift, honey!

    He said go out and get me my old movie stills
    Go out and get me another roll of pills
    There I go again shaking, but I ain't got the chills

    And everybody say, "What's he like?"
    And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
    And everybody say, "He sure looks funny"
    I was trapped, Montgomery Clift, honey Writer/s: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Voovvoovian from Big TownThe actual line is "he ain't got no shoes or hosettes on" staying Money wasn't wearing what Americans call socks either.
  • Looebloke from Ukmusically bears a resemblance to "The Life Of Riley" by a band called Zipper- released earlier in 1979 0n Virgin Records
  • Scott from Palm Desert, CaI like the way Joe sings this one with kind of drunken swagger.
  • Max from Cologne, GermanyI don´t know if he was gay! But the song the right profile, remember me a little bit of Bob Dylan!
  • Mike from Richmond, VaThe picture of the afformentioned smashed bass has been argued as the best rock n roll picture ever. I agree, The Clash, much like The Who, did not smash their instruments every performance, it was a rare occasion. The picture showed the musicians frustration, anger, and emotion he put into the music, and it required the utmost timing. This picture embodies punk, a kid rejected by the pop culture expressing himself the only way he knows how: music. Amazing picture
  • Matt from London, EnglandThe albums genius producer Guy Stephens, was at the time very into the legend of Montgomery Clift, and lent Joe a book on the mans life. Joe saw a great resemblance to Guy in the pages, and wrote the song as a tribute to the errant producer.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.