Rudie Can't Fail The Clash

Rudie Can't Fail Album: London Calling (1979)
by The Clash

"Rudie Can't Fail" is a song by the English punk rock band the Clash, featured on their 1979 album London Calling. The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, who sing it as a duet.

Like some songs on London Calling, "Rudie Can't Fail" has a strong reggae, rocksteady influence.

"Rudie Can't Fail" praises the rude boys of Jamaica in the 1960s who challenged their elders' status quo. The song is about a fun-loving young man who is criticized by his elders for not acting as a responsible adult, drinking beer at breakfast, and describe him as being "so crude and feckless", to which he responds "I know that my life make you nervous, but I tell you I can't live in service." The song's title derives from Desmond Dekker's 1967 song "007 (Shanty Town)", and is in homage to Ray Gange, who had portrayed a roadie who quits his job to follow the Clash around in the 1980 film Rude Boy. Rudie Can't Fail was the working title of a planned second movie for which The Clash would provide the soundtrack. Reference is made also to Dr Alimantado and his 1977 song "Born for a Purpose" in the line "Like the doctor who was born for a purpose". The line "You're looking pretty smart in your chicken skin suit", may refer to Alimantado's debut album, Best Dressed Chicken in Town.

Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe, a diner in California named after the song.

Sing, Michael, sing
On the route of the nineteen Bus

(We hear them saying) how d'you get so rude and a-reckless?
Don't you be so crude and a-feckless
You've been drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (no, no)

(We reply) I know that my life make you nervous
But I tell you, I can't live in service
Like the doctor who was born for a purpose
Rudie can't fail
(Okay)

I went to the market to realise my soul
What I need, (I just don't have), oh no
First they curse, then they (press me till I hurt)
They say, "Rudie can't fail"

(Woh) first you must cure your temper
Then find a job in a paper
Then you need someone for a saviour
Rudie can't fail

(We reply) now we get so rude and a-reckless
We've been seen lookin' cool and speckless
We've been drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (oh no, no)

I went to the market to realise my soul
'Cause what I need, (I just don't have), have
First they curse, then they (press me till I hurt)
Rudie can't fail

(Hey)
Okay (hey) okay (hey, hey, hey, hey)
So where d'you wanna go today? (hey, hey, hey)
Hey boss man? (hey) yeah? (hey, hey) yeah (hey)

So you're looking pretty tough (with you chicken skin suit)
With you chicken skin suit (hey, hey, hey)
You think you're pretty hot (pork-pie hat)

In your pork-pie hat
Skin it bro'rs

Side truth is of Babba Ruth, weuh-ha
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail

Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail

Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail

Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Sip it (Sky juice, only)