Oh, the supermarket. Grocery shopping usually tops the list of tasks people hate. We spend countless hours there, navigating jam-packed parking lots and crowded aisles, searching for a dinner idea that everyone will like, reading labels and trying to make sense of ingredients, and waiting in lines. The waiting is what’ll drive you mad. I’ve seen grown people dump a full cart off to the side and angrily depart the store once the get a load of the checkout lines. I am one of those rare birds that actually loves going to the supermarket, but even I won’t get anywhere near one in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
The Clash – Lost In The Supermarket
Unless you’ve been living in under a rock, you’ve probably heard of The Clash. The seminal punk band formed in London in 1976, and is often referred to as “the only band that matters.” Their first live gig was opening for The Sex Pistols, and they achieved commercial success with the release of their first album, The Clash, in 1977.
“Lost In The Supermarket” is from their most critically acclaimed album, London Calling. The first double album released by a punk band, London Calling was named album of the 80’s by Rolling Stone magazine- even though it was released in 1979. It hit the top 10 in the UK, and is consistently named as one of the best rock albums of all time.
While not technically a song about food, I always like to include “Lost In The Supermarket” on food playlists. Written by Joe Strummer, it’s main message is the struggle with increasing commercialization and the rise of rampant consumerism. If you’ve ever stood numbly in a store aisle, overwhelmed by the amount of products and messaging, you understand what this means. As we hit the weekend before our major food holiday, I thought it might help soothe your jangled nerves a bit.
So grab your shopping list, drop this tune on the car stereo, and head on out to the supermarket. Just try and get there early, cuz it’s gonna be a madhouse.
Enjoy!
November Songs
- The Neighborhood – Sweater Weather
- Little Milton – Grits Ain’t Groceries
- Louis Jordan – Boogie Boogie Blue Plate
- The Clash – Lost In The Supermarket