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“Clint Eastwood” is one of the most iconic tracks by the British virtual band Gorillaz. Released on March 5, 2001, as the lead single from their self-titled debut album Gorillaz, the song quickly became a defining hit and helped establish Gorillaz as a groundbreaking act in alternative music.
The official music video for “Clint Eastwood” is available on YouTube, featuring vivid animated visuals that match the song’s eclectic fusion of genres and left a lasting impact on fans worldwide.
Background and Release
“Clint Eastwood” was written by Damon Albarn and Teren Jones (Del the Funky Homosapien) and produced by Gorillaz along with Dan the Automator and Jason Cox. The song’s name was inspired by similarities between its opening melody and the theme from the classic Western film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, famously starring actor Clint Eastwood.
Musically, the track blends elements of trip hop, rap rock, and alternative hip-hop, featuring a memorable hypnotic beat, synthesizer lines, and rap verses by Del the Funky Homosapien, juxtaposed with smooth sung sections by Gorillaz’s virtual frontman 2-D (voiced by Damon Albarn).
Music Video Visuals
The animated music video was directed by Jamie Hewlett and Pete Candeland, showcasing the band’s animated characters — 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs — in surreal and striking scenes. The visuals creatively enhance the mood of the song, from bright choreography to dreamlike animated sequences.
“Clint Eastwood” was revolutionary for its time, combining animation with hybrid musical styles, making it one of Gorillaz’s most recognizable visuals.
Chart Performance and Legacy
The track enjoyed strong chart success worldwide, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart and entering the top ten in multiple countries. In the U.S., it reached number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s genre-blending style and unforgettable hook helped it stand out across audiences and radio formats.
Rolling Stone later included “Clint Eastwood” in its list of the top songs of the 2000s, reflecting its enduring influence in 21st-century music. The track has been performed live by various line-ups of Gorillaz and often features in best-of lists for early-2000s alternative music.
Cultural Impact
“Clint Eastwood” helped define the unique aesthetic of Gorillaz — a virtual band concept that combines music with visual storytelling. The song showed how animation, hip-hop, rock, and electronic genres could be fused to create something truly original.
Over the years, the song has been celebrated by fans and critics alike for its creativity, genre-blending sound, and lasting appeal well beyond its initial release.
Conclusion
“Clint Eastwood” remains a landmark track in modern music history. Its combination of rap, rock, and electronic elements — paired with a memorable animated video — helped catapult Gorillaz into global fame. Decades after its release, the song continues to be a fan favorite and a symbol of musical innovation at the turn of the 21st century.
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