CD
Clint Eastwood was the first proper Gorillaz single. A huge smash initially in the UK, where it remained in the charts for months and the top 10 for weeks.
At around the same time radio in Europe also went mad for the song. Slightly later in 2001 the song would also become a massive radio hit in the US and central and South America. Bigger than his previous smash, Song 2 (with Blur), this song remains Damon Albarn's biggest hit.
In the UK the Ed Case Refix (available on all formats) actually got far more airplay than the A-side, probably resulting in the inclusion of said remix on the debut LP. B-side Dracula was probably the best of the off cuts from the 'Gorillaz' sessions, and tour rap group Phi Life Cypher also contributed a version.
During live performances, various rappers have contributed different raps to the song, including De La Soul & Bootie Brown or Jamal Grey (Demon Detour,) Tinie Tempah (Johnathan Ross Show,) Snoop Dogg (Glastonbury,) Bashy & Kano (Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour) and Eslam Jawaad (Damascus.)
Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
Lyrics
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
Finally someone let me out of my cage
Now, time for me is nothing cause I'm counting no age
No, I couldn't be there
Now you shouldn't be scared
I'm good at repairs
And I'm under each snare
Intangible
Bet you didn't think so I command you to
Panoramic view
Look, I'll make it all manageable
Pick and choose, sit and lose, all you different crews
Chicks and dudes, who you think is really kickin' tunes?
Picture you gettin' down in a picture tube
Like you lit the fuse
You think it's fictional?
Mystical? Maybe
Spiritual
Hero who appears in you to clear your view when you're too crazy
Lifeless, to know the definition for what life is
Priceless to you because I put you on the hype shit
You like it?
Gun smokin', righteous with one token
Psychic among those
Possess you with one go
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
The essence, the basics
Without it, you make it
Allow me to make this child-like in nature
Rhythm
You have it or you don't, that's a fallacy
I'm in them
Every sprouting tree
Every child of peace
Every cloud and sea
You see with your eyes
I see destruction and demise
Corruption in disguise
From this fuckin' enterprise
Now I'm sucked into your lies
Through Russel, not his muscles but percussion he provides
With me as a guide
Y'all can see me now 'cause you don't see with your eye
You perceive with your mind
That's the inner
So I'm gonna stick around with Russ and be a mentor
Bust a few rhymes so motherfuckers remember where the thought is
I brought all this
So you can survive when law is lawless
Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead
No squealing, remember that it's all in your head
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless but not for long
The future is coming on
I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I'm useless but not for long
My future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
My future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
My future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
My future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
My future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
My future is coming on
It's coming on
It's coming on
My future
UK Formats
Enhanced CD
12"
1. Clint Eastwood (Edit)
2. Clint Eastwood (Ed Case Refix Edit)
3. Dracula
4. Clint Eastwood (Video)
Cassette
1. Clint Eastwood (Edit)
2. Clint Eastwood (Ed Case Refix Edit)
3. Dracula
12"
A. Clint Eastwood (Album Version)
B1. Clint Eastwood (Ed Case Refix Edit)
B2. Clint Eastwood (Phi Life Cypher Version)
Release dates and chart positions
UK : 05/03/01 – highest chart position: 3
- AUS : 07/05/01 – highest chart position: unknown
USA: 26/03/01 - highest chart position: 57
List of officially released versions
- Original full length version (5:39) - on 12" single, Gorillaz and The Singles Collection 2001-2011
- Single edit (3:44) - on various single formats
- Ed Case Re-fix (4:30) - on 12" promo and some versions of Gorillaz
- Ed Case Re-fix edit (3:42) - on many single formats, some versions of Gorillaz, and The SIngles Collection 2001-2011
- Phi Life Cypher version (4:50) - on various single formats and G-Sides
- Live in Manchester version on Demon Days Live DVD and DARE single
- A rare, but official, promo CD of unmastered tracks intended for the Gorillaz album contains the full unfaded version of "Clint Eastwood" running 6:33. This version was never properly released.
Trivia
- Clint Eastwood is the first and only track to ever directly address a band member by name in the lyrics. In one verse Del states, "Through Russel, not his muscles but percussion he provides..."