Career Opportunities

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See Career Opportunities (film) for the movie of this same title.
“Career Opportunities”
“Career Opportunities” cover
Song by The Clash
Album The Clash
Released April 8, 1977 (1977-04-08)
Recorded March, 1977
Genre Punk rock
Length 1:53
Label CBS
Writer Joe Strummer, Mick Jones
Producer Mikey Foote

"Career Opportunities" is a song by The Clash, recorded for their first album, The Clash. The song attacks the political and economic situation in England at the time, citing the lack of jobs available, particularly to youth, and the dreariness and lack of appeal of those that were available. They specifically mention service in the military and police forces, in addition to jobs that are often perceived as being 'menial' such as a bus driver or ticket inspector, as well as "making tea at the BBC".

The line "I won't open letter bombs for you" is a reference to a former job of Clash guitarist Mick Jones, opening letters for a British government department to make sure they weren't rigged with mailbombs. The song was named by bassist Paul Simonon.

The song was re-recorded as one of the last songs on the experimental album Sandinista!, with vocal tracks by the very young Luke and Ben Gallagher (keyboardist Mickey Gallagher's sons) over a simple keyboard melody.

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