The Clash - Right Profile Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Montgomery Clift mentioned in 'The Right Profile'?

   Montgomery Clift was a renowned American actor, known for his roles in 'A Place in the Sun', 'From Here to Eternity', and 'The Misfits'. He had a troubled life marked by issues with pills and alcohol and tragically died in 1966.

2. Why was the song titled 'The Right Profile'?

   The song is titled 'The Right Profile' because, following a severe car accident that left Montgomery Clift's face mangled, he needed plastic surgery for his broken jaw. To look good on camera, he had to be shot from his 'right profile'.

3. What event does the 'car smashed at night' in the lyrics refer to?

   The 'car smashed at night' refers to Montgomery Clift's car accident in 1956. He crashed into a tree while driving home from a party at Elizabeth Taylor's house. This accident severely damaged his face, requiring significant plastic surgery.

4. Did Montgomery Clift have any support after his car accident?

   Yes, Elizabeth Taylor, who was also a close friend, saved his life after the car accident in 1956. Despite his severe injuries and subsequent struggles with addiction, he continued his acting career.

5. What role did Guy Stevens play in the creation of 'The Right Profile'?

   Guy Stevens, the producer of 'London Calling', suggested the idea for 'The Right Profile'. He lent Joe Strummer a copy of Patricia Bosworth's biography on Montgomery Clift. Stevens' own struggles with alcohol and drugs may have drawn him to Clift's story.

6. Why is Montgomery Clift described in a troubled manner in the song?

   The song depicts Montgomery Clift's troubled life, highlighting his struggles with addiction to pills and alcohol, and the long-lasting impact of his car accident, which many believed led to what was called the 'slowest suicide' in cinema history.