Some things will always stay true.
Look before you cross the road. Don't trust politicians. Eternal truths, the lines which guide us, which connect generation to generation, parent to child. It's this sort of wisdom which runs through The Strypes.
Sure, the band aren't doing anything new, per se, but the manner of their approach, the rawness of the delivery allows them to tap into something primal, something pure.
Willie Dixon wrote 'You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover' but Bo Diddley made it his own. A souped up, rhythm 'n' blues stomper which nodded towards the rock 'n' roll boom, it's lyrical flair (check out those double entendres) saw Mick Jagger place it firmly in the Rolling Stones early gigs.
A reference point for The Strypes, the song has been with them since their earliest shows. A standout during the festival season, 'You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover' took pride of place on their debut album, with the needle pushed firmly into the red.
Set to be given a standalone single release on November 4th, the video for the track finds the band inverting some rock stereotypes. The sharp suited Irish collective play around with television sets, mocking their own sudden rise to fame with the same impish charm which runs through their gigs.
Watch it now.
You can buy the track now on iTunes or pre-order a limited edition 7” vinyl here.
Get the best of Clash on your iPhone – download the app here
