Should I Stay Or Should I Go: Marching Band Conductor Score & Parts
As performed by Mick Jones / As performed by Joe Strummer / As performed by Will Rapp / As performed by The Clash / Arranged by Paul Murtha
Grade: 3-4
Item: 35-PK00411277
$60.00
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Description
Recorded by the Clash in 1982, this catchy rock hit has maintained a steady presence in pop culture with TV advertising, and most recently featured prominently in the hit series "Stranger Things". The moderate tempo and solid scoring make this one perfect for dance features.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00411277
More about this title
About the Artist: Mick Jones
Mick Jones co-founded The Clash in 1976 and served as the band's primary songwriter and guitarist. His work defined punk rock's intersection with reggae, funk, and world music influences, creating a template for politically engaged rock that still resonates in music education today.
Jones brought technical precision to punk's raw energy, crafting melodies and arrangements that transcended genre boundaries. His songwriting remains a case study in how rock music can be both commercially successful and artistically uncompromising.
Why we love this
Paul Murtha's arrangement captures the infectious simplicity of the original without sacrificing scoring depth. Directors consistently choose this for fall marching season because students recognize it immediately, the moderate tempo keeps rehearsals efficient, and the rock groove translates beautifully to the field without requiring a pit or electronics.
What to expect
Immediate, propulsive, and impossible to ignore. The arrangement channels the original's nervous energy and melodic hook, delivering that same question mark hanging in the air while the band locks into an irresistible groove.
Who it's for
Groups at the 3-4 grade level looking for recognizable repertoire that energizes crowds and students alike. It suits bands building confidence with rock charts or needing a crowd-pleasing addition to a fall or spring program.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the front ensemble's rhythmic consistency early in rehearsals. This tune lives and dies by steady, unwavering groove, so lock that pulse before adding visual complexity.
- Balance the main riff across woodwinds and brass equally. The arrangement works when neither section dominates; the hook belongs to everyone.
- Resist the urge to rush. Grade 3-4 bands often accelerate rock material out of excitement. A metronome in every section keeps the pocket tight and the dance feature readable.
- Shape phrases through dynamics rather than tempo changes. Subtle push and pull in volume articulates the song's structure while maintaining rock credibility.
How to use it
Feature this in a fall or spring showcase where contemporary hits anchor the second half of your concert. Pair it with one other rock or pop selection to build a mini-set that breaks up a traditional classical program, or use it as your opener to grab attention right away.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady groove and pulse against tempo change impulses
- Reading and executing rhythmic precision in repetitive rock structures
- Balancing sectional parts in a homophonic texture
- Performing with visual synchronization and marching clarity at moderate tempos
- Understanding rock arrangement vocabulary and idiomatic phrasing