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“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”.
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Albums featuring this track
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London Calling
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Shouts
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Pierre_Jeremy wrote:
¡¡¡¡CHINGóN!!!
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Masej wrote:
Great Band, prefer studio'ed version though [2]
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Tobbyno wrote:
live versions are fantastic!
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ABM1708 wrote:
Cape Town calling!
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Insane_Thrasher wrote:
epic
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mastershultz wrote:
Great Band, prefer studio'ed version though
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gmachine_24 wrote:
I think this version is an earlier and - as with the sex pistols - recordings got more "produced" - in some ways cleaner with more distinct input from each member - if you listen to original versions of all tracks on london calling you will see - i.e. hear - what I mean. anyway........ certainly for quite a while the only band that really mattered . . .
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ItsGizmo wrote:
Possibly the best band ever but why is this in slow motion?
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getscotty wrote:
Word
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iHeartPapercutz wrote:
:)
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Turbodamian wrote:
best band ever!
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NeeeNeee wrote:
Soulless version
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100PunkClub wrote:
I love how Mick's voice is so different to Joe's. They really do Clash haha
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metAlApollo wrote:
love this song
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DonPinguin wrote:
Great song :D
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BreOl wrote:
Aaahh, the original...finally....*thumbs up*
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badwickedzoot wrote:
I <3 the bass line... oh Paul....
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shortbuzzrider wrote:
Epic shizz. Can't wait to move to London.
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patgoud wrote:
I don't know this version.........
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Scarlett1991 wrote:
<3
The Clash
London Calling
full track
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Recent Activity
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AliceGrrrl added London Calling to the playlist Love. 46 minutes ago
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