Lyrics
I would love to be the lucky one on Chill Avenue
Who could keep your heart warm when ice has turned it blue
But with the beggin' sleeping losers as they turn in for the night
I'm looking back for home and I can see the lights
I should be jumpin' shoutin' that I made it all this way
From Camden town station to 44th and 8th
Not many make it this far and many say we're great
But just like them we walk on an' we can't escape our fate
Can't you hear the sighing?
Eastside Jimmy and Southside Sue
Both say they needed something new
So I'm standing at the gates of the west
I burn money at the lights of the sign
The city casts a shadow of the perfect crime
I'm standing at the gates of the east
I take my pulse and the pulse of my friend
The city casts a shadow, will I see you again?
The immigrants an' remnants of all the glory years
Are clustered around the bar again for another round of beers
Little Richard's in the kitchen playing spoons and plates
He's telling the waitress he's great
Say I know somewhere back an' forth in time
Out on the dust bowls, deep in the roulette mine
Or in a ghetto cellar, only yesterday
There's a move into the future for the USA
I hear them crying
Eastside Jimmy and southside Sue
Both said they needed something new
So I'm standing at the gates of the west
I burn money at the lights of the sign
The city casts a shadow of the perfect crime
I'm standing at the gates of the east
I take my pulse and the pulse of my friend
The city casts a shadow, will I see you again?
Standing at the gates of the west
In the shadow again
I'm standing at the gates of the west
In the shadow again
I'm standing at the gates of the west
In the shadow again, in the shadow again
















Replies for this Track
I'm Standing At The Gates Of The West ...
This tune is one of my all-time favourites from The Clash, which makes it one of my all-time favourites full stop.
A largely undiscovered jewel, the lyrics are poetic, atmospheric and beautifully poignant. The music combined with Mick's voice is so soulful ... yearning but comforting, this song fills me with indescribable emotions every time I listen to it ...
One of the most beautiful Clash songs, only London Calling surpasses it in my opinion.
P.S. "I take my pulse and the pulse of my friend, the city casts a shadow, will I see you again?"
This lyric has to be one of the most touching ever, especially the way Mick sings it.
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I'm Standing At The Gates Of The West