"Clampdown" by the Clash (1979)

1.) This song's about how the government/those in power are brutal and are corrupting the youth, and as such this government should be brought down. This is shown by lyrics such as "We will teach our twisted speech to the young believers", which shows that the government wants to teach 'twisted speech', as in lies and propaganda, to young people in order to get them to do as they want - in this case, submit to 'the clampdown'. The lyric "Kick over the wall 'cause government's to fall" shows that the singer wants the youth to aid in bringing down the government, because apparently that's what governments are supposed to do, since he says that 'government (is) to fall', showing that he thinks governments are meant to fall. By saying "let fury have the hour, anger can be power" the singer is suggesting that people get angry at the government, because rage can give people power, in this case, power to overthrow the government.

2.) The music is very rhythmic and jarring, which sounds almost militaristic. This could be used to show that the government is militaristic and wants everybody to fit nice and neatly together into their 'clampdown', or it could be sort of a rally cry for the youth to band together (like an army) and be in time as they bring down the government.

3.) This song shows persuasion, because the singer is urging rebellion. It's not propaganda because there's no hidden message, it's obvious what the singer wants you to do. There's no underlying message to it that one has to look closer to understand, like with propaganda. It's all very straightforward.