London Calling
London Calling, a double album released by
The Clash in December
1979, marked the band's critical and commercial breakthrough. Besides straightforward
punk, it featured a much wider array of styles than the Clash's earlier albums, including American-style
rockabilly and
reggae works that resonated with the
Ska movement in Britain (see
1979 in music). The album is considered a landmark by some, and tracks such as "Train in Vain", "Clampdown", and "London Calling" show up with regularity on rock stations to this day.
The title track alludes to the BBC World Service's station identification, starting "This is London calling" that was used during World War II.
The cover features a picture of Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar, surrounded by typography that imitates Elvis Presley's debut album. The picture was later voted the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine.
The title track was inculded in the new James Bond flim Die Another Day in one segment of the flim.
Track listing
- London Calling - 3:20
- Brand New Cadillac (Jones/Strummer) - 2:08
- Jimmy Jazz - 3:54
- Hateful - 2:44
- Rudie Can't Fail (Jones/Strummer) - 3:29
- Spanish Bombs (Jones/Strummer) - 3:18
- The Right Profile (Strummer) - 3:54
- Lost in the Supermarket (Strummer) - 3:47
- Clampdown (Jones/Strummer) - 3:49
- The Guns of Brixton (Simonon) - 3:09
- Wrong 'Em Boyo - 3:10
- Death or Glory (Strummer) - 3:55
- Koka Kola - 1:47
- The Card Cheat (Strummer) - 3:49
- Lover's Rock - 4:03
- Four Horsemen - 2:55
- I'm Not Down - 3:06
- Revolution Rock - 5:33
- Train in Vain (Stand by Me) (Jones/Strummer) - 3:09
Personnel
- Joe Strummer - Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals
- Jerry Green - Engineer
- Mick Gallagher - Organ
- Topper Headon - Percussion, Drums, Drums (Snare)
- M. Jones - Piano
- Mick Jones - Guitar, Piano, Vocals
- Bill Price - Engineer
- Paul Simonon - Bass, Vocals
- Guy Stevens - Producer
- Irish Horns - Brass
- Pennie Smith - Photography
- Rob Lowry - Cover Design
- Baker Glare - Pre-Production
- Ray Lowry - Design
- Varren Steadman - Lighting
External links
London calling at the top of the dial
After all this, won't you give me a smile?
