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About This Track
“London Calling” is a song by the British punk rock band The Clash. It was released as a single from the band’s 1979 double album London Calling. This apocalyptic, politically charged rant features the band’s famous combination of reggae basslines and punk electric guitar and vocals.
Writing and recording
The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. The title alludes to the BBC World Service’s station identification: “This is London calling …”, that was used during World War II, often in broadcasts to occupied countries.
The lyrics reflect the concern felt by Strummer about world events with the reference to “a nuclear error” to the incident at Three Mile Island, which occurred earlier in 1979. Joe Strummer has said: “We felt that we were struggling about to slip down a slope or something, grasping with our fingernails. And there was no one there to help us.”
The line “London is drowning / And I live by the river” comes from concerns that if the River Thames flooded, most of central London would drown, something that led to the construction of the Thames Barrier. Strummer’s concern for social violence is evident through the lines “we ain’t got no swing/ except for the ring of that truncheon thing”. This is perhaps a reference to the London riots at the time. Social criticism also features through references to the effects of casual drug taking: “we ain’t got no high / except for that one with the yellowy eyes”.
Writing and recording
The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. The title alludes to the BBC World Service’s station identification: “This is London calling …”, that was used during World War II, often in broadcasts to occupied countries.
The lyrics reflect the concern felt by Strummer about world events with the reference to “a nuclear error” to the incident at Three Mile Island, which occurred earlier in 1979. Joe Strummer has said: “We felt that we were struggling about to slip down a slope or something, grasping with our fingernails. And there was no one there to help us.”
The line “London is drowning / And I live by the river” comes from concerns that if the River Thames flooded, most of central London would drown, something that led to the construction of the Thames Barrier. Strummer’s concern for social violence is evident through the lines “we ain’t got no swing/ except for the ring of that truncheon thing”. This is perhaps a reference to the London riots at the time. Social criticism also features through references to the effects of casual drug taking: “we ain’t got no high / except for that one with the yellowy eyes”.
Send ‘London Calling’ Ringtone to Cell Similar Music
Play The Clash RadioWith: Joe Strummer And The Mescaleros, Joe Strummer, The 101'ers, Sex Pistols and more…
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Albums featuring this track
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London Calling
The Clash
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1978-1982 Live From Here To
The Clash Buy- Download Album
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On Broadway
The Clash Buy- Download Album
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The Singles
The Clash Buy- Download Album
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Shouts
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silvasonicsurfa wrote:
WTF....too much sh!te on here.........get the proper version on........
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Starlow13 wrote:
actually really nice to headbang to.,....though t aint really emo...at all....but i stilll love this song....and this band....LONG LIVE THE CLASH!!!!!!!
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MyWeana wrote:
yes the best version is back!!!!!!!!!!
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danpepper wrote:
this is NOT clash!
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franklf97 wrote:
hate this version, I agree with you, brainfeeder and dannyboy 182!
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franklf97 wrote:
me rechinan los oídos escuchando esta versión, como hacéis esto con la canción?!?!!!!
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brainfeeder wrote:
This version is awful -_- why last.fm? WHY?!
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drainagerelated wrote:
All Clash is Class
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Sheik777 wrote:
The perfect punk song!
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rolsroyse wrote:
I wish you guys could make ur mind up, is it good or crap ?...
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ninovetri wrote:
it is impossible to listen to this versio
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ninovetri wrote:
who are this? clash? no no no
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dannyboy182 wrote:
Terrible version
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henryheimlich wrote:
Such a brilliant, powerful tune.
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alice-kelly wrote:
BEST SONG EVER MADE.
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jomabbs wrote:
this must be the chicken shit version...
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oldiesfanjohn wrote:
punk calling...gimme the studio v.
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blindmanstumble wrote:
Is this the opium/heroined-out version?
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PaulBox wrote:
Shocker!
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Helmnog wrote:
God, this is awful compared to the proper version!
Track Stats
3,714,277 Scrobbles
639,999 Listeners
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Recent Activity
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IlanDatabase added London Calling to his Loved Tracks. yesterday evening
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engelgri added London Calling to engelgri’s library. yesterday evening
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ldsteffi, Kaajman, Mielonka69 and 2 other people loved The Clash – London Calling. yesterday evening
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Zebralilly added London Calling to the playlist. yesterday afternoon
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pankonut, JPR3D, sirangtuktok and 2 other people loved The Clash – London Calling. yesterday afternoon
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Eracia64 added London Calling to Eracia64’s library. yesterday morning
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EllipticMite232, dcomerchero and togm loved The Clash – London Calling. yesterday morning
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terenceoblong added London Calling to the playlist playlist1. yesterday morning
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whimsical-k and bubbleK loved The Clash – London Calling. Wednesday evening
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sanna4 tagged London Calling with ‘growing up’. Wednesday evening
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