"Clones," which dropped on February 25, 2004, holds the distinction of being the inaugural single extracted from Ash's album, Meltdown. This track found a place on the soundtrack of the video game Star Wars: Republic Commando, and it later resurfaced on the Commando EP that accompanied the game. LucasArts made history by including a licensed song in a Star Wars soundtrack for the first time with this inclusion; the song is present during the game's end credits and as a music video within the game's Extras section.
The band members have characterized the song's presence in the game as a matter of sheer "fluke," stating, "We received a request to contribute music to the game during the songwriting phase of Meltdown, and by complete chance, we had just finished demoing the Clones track!"
Lyrically, the song is directed at a member of a never-ending line of clones, scolding him for once displaying the potential to transcend societal conformity, only to ultimately succumb to the expectations imposed by his creators. The initial music video showcases the band performing within the confines of an empty warehouse, culminating in lead vocalist Tim Wheeler encountering a clone of himself. The revamped music video that was released alongside Republic Commando weaves in gameplay footage of Delta Squad mercilessly eliminating their adversaries with the original video, and it concludes with Boss delivering a brutal kick to the head of a vanquished super battle droid.
Now you're a clone With heart of stone Synthetic soul Brainwashed and cold You're just a drone Got no control Forced in a mold Processed and sold Hey You know I find it frightening How you change just as fast as lightning You fell from grace Leaving no trace You've been replaced Your name erased Hey It's your self-destruction You never listened to my instruction Shame Shame, shame, shame Shame That everyone's the same I thought you stood alone, Were different from the clones. You were a flash of light A meteorite Unique in time Now out of sight For I have seen What could've been A vivid dream A prophecy Hey Now there's no use waiting Everything is disintegrating Shame That everyone's the same I thought you stood alone Were different from the clones I thought you were the true Exception to the rule But the truth is cruel Clones Clones, clones, clones Clones Clones, clones, clones Yeah Hey Now there's no use waiting Everything is disintegrating Shame That everyone's the same I thought you stood alone Were different from the clones I thought you were the true Exception to the rule But the truth is cruel
- Original Clones music video on the Ash YouTube channel (backup link)
- Republic Commando music video on the Ash YouTube channel (backup link)
- Star Wars: Republic Commando on the Star Wars Games Wiki
- Clones (Ash song) on Wikipedia
- Ash (band) on Wikipedia