The Ghost Of Al Capone
John Cooper Clarke
A Haunting Encounter with Infamy: The Ghost of Al Capone
John Cooper Clarke's song "The Ghost of Al Capone" is a vivid and surreal narrative that blends historical references with a dreamlike encounter. The lyrics transport the listener to a marble room in Rome, where the protagonist meets the ghost of the infamous gangster Al Capone. This setting, rich with imagery of overgrown gardens and broken stone arcades, evokes a sense of decay and the passage of time, suggesting that Capone's influence lingers even in death.
The ghost of Al Capone, with his guardian angels, represents the enduring power and corruption that Capone wielded during his life. The mention of guardian angels working for him is a metaphor for the protection and impunity that powerful criminals often enjoy. The protagonist's interaction with Capone, including the threat of violence and the reference to concrete boots, highlights the ruthless nature of organized crime. The song's chorus, with its imagery of waving palms and rustling banknotes, underscores the international reach and financial influence of such criminal enterprises.
Clarke's lyrics also touch on themes of economic disparity and the resilience of crime in the face of societal challenges. The lines about Capone profiting during the Great Depression and the mention of blackmail, narcotics, and other illicit activities illustrate how crime can thrive even in difficult times. The song concludes with a sense of resignation and inevitability, as the protagonist acknowledges the power of Capone and his guardian angels. This haunting encounter serves as a reminder of the pervasive and enduring nature of corruption and crime, and the difficulty of escaping its grasp.