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London Calling
The Clash
London Calling is the anthem of an era. Those opening beats go hand in hand with Mrs Thatcher triumphant outside Number 10 and police brandishing riot shields in Brixton. It was 1980. It was the year when "All that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust". |
 Song facts |
| Composer |
Joe Strummer/
Mick Jones |
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| Genre |
Rock |
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| Album |
London Calling |
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| Year of Release |
1979 |
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But London Calling is not a lament to a country in crisis. It's Joe Strummer's battle hymn. His message urges "Come out of the cupboard, all you boys and girls," and the lyrics climax in a Tarzan-like holler that swears in the law of the jungle. He doesn't finish there: the title of the song comes from the BBC World Service's call signal to broadcast, Strummer's 'v 'sign to this bastion of the Establishment.
London Calling ties in with punk and anarchy but this is no half-baked attempt at protest. It's an organised attack. A strong, military drumbeat underpins the song and incites the people to march down the streets "Now that war is declared - and battle come down."
Joe Strummer and Mick Jones wrote London Calling when The Clash was mired in debt and even their manager had deserted. Desperate times, indeed. And if a cornered Strummer cannot incite you to rail against The System, nothing can.
Susan McFarland
Joe Strummer, Oct 1999 |
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Joe Strummer talks about how he never thought punk would make it into the mainstream.
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 Listen to Joe Strummer |
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Other versions |
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Is it possible for an American band to cover London Calling? Californian quintet The Calling give it a go.
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Songwriting tips Playing live is a good way to get yourself noticed. Read our tips on Performing.Getting the recording and the production right is crucial. Find out more about working in a Studio. |
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