Charlie Don’t Surf: The Clash Protest Imperialism Essay -- Political P

By definition, imperialism is extending a countrys king and influence through diplomacy or military force. That ideology is best exemplified by the Vietnam War because the United States invaded North Vietnam to prevent the dissemination of Communism into South Vietnam, which is ultimately an attempt at exuding power and influence by using military force. The friction recognized the homogeneity between the American imperialism of the Vietnam war and the forced Westernization of the non-Western world, particularly third world nations thusly, the roach chose the Vietnam War as a backdrop for Charlie Dont Surf because of its relevance to American culture at the time. The strike released the album Sandinista in 1980 this album is home to the highly overlooked song Charlie Dont Surf. The intent of this paper is to analyze the song Charlie Dont Surf and screen its use of historical and cultural components to protest imperialism forced upon third world countries by the United States. Th is paper will specifically analyze The Clashs emergence from a tumultuous political climate as well as the decision to title the album Sandinista. Musical composition and melodic structure aids in demonstrating the protest of imperialism upon multiple levels and distinguishes the link between the Charlie Dont Surf and a similar scene in the sprout Apocalypse Now.Emerging from Englands punk rock scene in 1977, The Clash morphed from traditional punk beginnings into the new wave movement. Described as a more genuine, radical, proletarian, sector of the punk genre, it was evident the band was destined to transcend musical boundaries.1 The Clashs trademark idiosyncrasy is their layering of cultural remarks with historical relevancy througho... ...rus of Charlie Dont Surf in the car, or helicopter, does not provide the background knowledge of the songs origins. In a way, without paying attention to the song, it mocks the ability to stick out people into the music.Works Cited1 Moore, Allan F. Punk Rock. In Grove Music Online Oxford Music Online.2 Browning, Boo. The Clash Another Flash of Lightning. The Washington Post, 1981.3 The Clash Official Site. http//www.theclash.com//about/.4 Cowley, Jason. The 1980s England Was Convulsed by a Social and Political Revoltion. Guardian, 2009.5 Ibrahim, Youssef M. Britains Economy Is Worsening Despite Mrs. Thatchers Policies. The New York Times, 1980, 1.6 Augusto Ceasar Sandino. capital of South Carolina Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition 1.7 The Clash. Charlie Dont Surf. Sandinista 1980. CD.8 Coppola, Francis Ford. Apocalypse Now. 153 min, 1979.