The Gift of Music: Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros’ “Yalla Yalla”
Readers of this blog probably realize two things about me by now–I love Joe Stummer, and I LOVE this song. It doesn’t seem like much when it starts out but it builds into this cautiously optimistic technolicious groove that becomes more infectious the more times you listen to it.–trust me. My only two complaints about the video are that there isn’t enough Scott Shields eye candy and that it cuts off a full minute and a half of the song–the best part. Available on Rock Art and X-ray Style album, “Yalla Yalla” conveys the longing we all feel for a peaceful home, where ever and whatever that may be.
Somebody got a vision of a homeland
From a township, from a township window
Through a township window
Some crazy widow dares to have a vision
Starts seething, like
Seeming like a homeland on the plain
Not in focus yet
Seeming like a homeland on the plain
Not a focus yet
I’m groovin’ with a free syle nation
And maximum density
And I say
Yalla, yalla, yalla, ya-lah
Yalla, yalla, ya-li-oo, whoa
Yalla, yalla, yalla, ya-lah
Jumbalaya on the Bayou
Yalla, yalla, yalla, ya-lah
Yalla, yalla, ya-li-oo, whoa
Yalla, yalla, yalla, ya-lah
Only to shine, shine in gold, shine
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beautiful.
Peace on Earth …
this is my favorite joe strummer and the mescaleros song! and when i saw him perform it, he was in an all white suit and i think i fell in love.
Did he do that thing where he touches his fingers to the left side of his head like he’s trying to use every last once of brain during the performance?
Just got this album. Thanks again for the recommendation!
All three are good. Rock Art and X-ray style starts up with the world music influence, Global A Go-go continues with that and begins to rock a bit more, and then Streetcore harkens back to Clash with more reggae influence and straight up rock.