 London Calling (1979) [ larger cover art ] |
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Musicbrainz DBLondon calling to the faraway towns
Now war is declared and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls
London calling, now don't look to us
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see, we ain't got no swing
Except for the ring of that truncheon thing
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and I live by the river
London calling to the imitation zone
Forget it, brother, you can go it alone
London calling to the zombies of death
Quit holding out and draw another breath
London calling, and I don't wanna shout
But while we were talking, I saw you nodding out
London calling, see, we ain't got no high
Except for that one with the yellowy eyes
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and I, I live by the river
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning and I, I live by the river
Now get this
London calling, yes, I was there, too
And you know what they said, well, some of it was true
London calling at the top of the dial
And after all this, won't you give me a smile?
London calling
I never felt so much a-like...
| drivingunit103 (around the 4 western provinces) | Posted: Jun 11, 2013 - 06:02 ...never enough Clash... |
| nicolewe | Posted: May 10, 2013 - 10:02 Yes, I know The Clash is a great band, but I'm so sick of this bloody song! Blah! Blah! Blah!  |
| eddyrixhon (Montréal) | Posted: May 10, 2013 - 10:02 oh yeah ! Clash on radio ! Really love it ! thanks for that ! ps: "lost in a supermarket" 's too a great song in this album |
| joelbb | Posted: Apr 22, 2013 - 20:18 Gotta get this disk. |
| RedTruk (Calgary) | Posted: Mar 22, 2013 - 09:12 Great song, helpless wimp album cover. |
| Lazarus (Bethany) | Posted: Mar 08, 2013 - 18:34 The Assassination of Hugo Chavez |
| islander (Seattle) | Posted: Feb 05, 2013 - 10:40 Bleyfusz wrote: Oh, just let the punks become famous and make real good money, and we'll see....  |
| bronorb (Wisconsin) | Posted: Feb 05, 2013 - 10:40 CTS wrote: The album's front cover features a photograph of Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass (on display at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as of May 2009) against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on 21 September 1979 during the Clash Take the Fifth US tour. Pennie Smith, who photographed the band for the album, originally did not want the photograph to be used. She thought that it was too out of focus, but Strummer and graphic designer Ray Lowry thought it would make a good album cover. In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment - total loss of control". The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was a homage to the design of Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album. The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by Q magazine in 2001. In 1995, Big Audio Dynamite used the same scheme for their F-Punk album. The album cover for London Calling was among the ten chosen by the Royal Mail for a set of "Classic Album Cover" postage stamps issued in January 2010 I remember reading the Simonon was pissed at himself for breaking that bass. It was his favorite at the time. |
| coloradojohn (A Mile High and then some, Cherry Creek, Denver) | Posted: Jan 30, 2013 - 18:29 Right up there with ROCK THE CASBAH! at the top of the Best Rock Songs Ever list...and few rockers had such amazing delivery, or were so dang FUN to imitate in sing-along as Joe, God rest his rocking soul... ("and everybody says, 'Is he all right?' and everybody says, 'What's he like?' and everybody says, 'He sure looks funny' — 'at's 'at MontGOM'ry CLIFT, honey!") |
| rdo (DC) | Posted: Jan 18, 2013 - 14:53 lemmoth wrote: Pure Genius. One of the top 10 songs ever from rom one of the top ten albums ever put out by anyone not named the Beatles.  Whoa there cap'n, let's not get carried away. |
| drewd | Posted: Dec 04, 2012 - 17:48 chebucto wrote: Phony Beatlemania?
From everything I've heard, Beatlemania was a very real thing. Only wish I was there to hear it, wonderful confluence of a disproportionately high number of young folk + very, very good pop music that it was. (edit: spelling) Back in the 80s, this was a very popular song. My buddy had the cassette in his chevelle and it was on constantly. There also was a very popular fake Beatles show in live theatres called Beatlemania. Four actor s who's would dress up and perform all the fab four hits. |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: Oct 16, 2012 - 13:19 Nadine wrote: meh. the tv stations here use it as opening music for their doping'lympics-broadcasts. that's quite dull and not creative and sooooo inappropriate. the clash were punks, right? imho 15-billion-euro-olympics and punks don't match. at all. Oh, just let the punks become famous and make real good money, and we'll see.... |
| Zapmedia (New York City and New Jersey) | Posted: Oct 16, 2012 - 13:19 Earnestness and authenticity. |
| slr242 (San Francisco) | Posted: Sep 15, 2012 - 00:07 One of the best albums of all time, in my opinion. |
| neuticle (fog fog fog) | Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 11:05 T H E B E S T |
| ziakut (Right Here) | Posted: Aug 14, 2012 - 12:46 CTS wrote: The album's front cover features a photograph of Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass (on display at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as of May 2009) against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on 21 September 1979 during the Clash Take the Fifth US tour. Pennie Smith, who photographed the band for the album, originally did not want the photograph to be used. She thought that it was too out of focus, but Strummer and graphic designer Ray Lowry thought it would make a good album cover. In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment - total loss of control". The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was a homage to the design of Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album. The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by Q magazine in 2001. In 1995, Big Audio Dynamite used the same scheme for their F-Punk album. The album cover for London Calling was among the ten chosen by the Royal Mail for a set of "Classic Album Cover" postage stamps issued in January 2010. Thanks for the detailed info. Interesting read!  |
| Nadine | Posted: Aug 01, 2012 - 02:37 meh. the tv stations here use it as opening music for their doping'lympics-broadcasts. that's quite dull and not creative and sooooo inappropriate. the clash were punks, right? imho 15-billion-euro-olympics and punks don't match. at all. |
| marmelock (Frankfurt, Germany, Home of the EAGLES!) | Posted: Aug 01, 2012 - 01:00 oh yes, the olympics! |
| CTS (Manchester, UK) | Posted: Jul 26, 2012 - 07:44 ziakut wrote: This cover looks vaguely familiar....hmmmmmm...... The album's front cover features a photograph of Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass (on display at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as of May 2009) against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on 21 September 1979 during the Clash Take the Fifth US tour. Pennie Smith, who photographed the band for the album, originally did not want the photograph to be used. She thought that it was too out of focus, but Strummer and graphic designer Ray Lowry thought it would make a good album cover. In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment - total loss of control". The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was a homage to the design of Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album. The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by Q magazine in 2001. In 1995, Big Audio Dynamite used the same scheme for their F-Punk album. The album cover for London Calling was among the ten chosen by the Royal Mail for a set of "Classic Album Cover" postage stamps issued in January 2010. |
| tulfan (Still in SE MI) | Posted: Jul 26, 2012 - 07:38 Always takes me back to the anger and cluelessness of that transitional time... |
| chebucto | Posted: Jul 26, 2012 - 07:37 Phony Beatlemania? From everything I've heard, Beatlemania was a very real thing. Only wish I was there to hear it, wonderful confluence of a disproportionately high number of young folk + very, very good pop music that it was. (edit: spelling) |
| Chelshite (Bognor Regis, W Sussex, England) | Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 05:56 Queens Park Rangers Football Club in sunny London W12 always play this tune before their Premiership (for now at least) soccer games. Very atmospheric. Come on u R's!!!! |
| ziakut (Unmoon) | Posted: Feb 24, 2012 - 13:29 This cover looks vaguely familiar....hmmmmmm...... |
| meinthecorner (Past the gravy, far beyond the golden fries) | Posted: Jan 07, 2012 - 09:23 number7 wrote: Heard it a million times & will still love it next time I hear it. Only the best stand up the test of time. Right-o, Lucky!! |
| number7 (Napanee, Ontario, Canada) | Posted: Jan 05, 2012 - 18:37 Heard it a million times & will still love it next time I hear it. Only the best stand up the test of time. |
| treatment_bound (Duluth to Madison) | Posted: Jan 05, 2012 - 18:35 Joe's voice still scares the shit out of me over 32 years later. |
| kcar | Posted: Dec 06, 2011 - 13:59 Art_Carnage wrote:  And I live in a van, down by the river! Well played, Art. WTF is that duck doing in the tub? |
| neuticle (fog fog fog) | Posted: Dec 06, 2011 - 13:57 sirdroseph wrote: A really good song from one of the most overrated bands in history. Joe Strummer rocked though! I'm not sure, but I think I feel sorry for you...at least your right about Joe Rocking |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: Nov 21, 2011 - 09:12 Pure Genius. One of the top 10 songs ever from rom one of the top ten albums ever put out by anyone not named the Beatles. |
| bokey (Left of Centerfield) | Posted: Nov 03, 2011 - 08:47 I never stopped to figure out what this song is about, but I like it.That's the sign of a great song.  |
| wlpendley (New Mexico) | Posted: Oct 20, 2011 - 19:05 rapdas wrote: This is surreal! I got an offer to study at London Business School and I am about to accept it right now and I hear this in the background ! What can be more timely? When the universe calls me, it plays Johnny Nash singing "I Can See Clearly Now". This has happened three times so far, each at key decision points in my life. Each time an excellent choice. So I say listen to your synchronicity... pip pip and cheerio! |
| piñata (ibagué) | Posted: Aug 02, 2011 - 13:31 this song reminds me Fantömas... i love it |
| brulie | Posted: May 31, 2011 - 13:18 Still on my list of Top 5 albums of all time. I highly recommend reading its review in Rolling Stone: http://londonsburning.org/art_rolling_stone_04_03_80.html Love to see brilliance recognized in real time. I've got to think that Rolling Stone's calling The Clash the greatest rock n roll band in the world in 1980 was pretty ballsy. |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: May 31, 2011 - 13:06 rapdas wrote: This is surreal! I got an offer to study at London Business School and I am about to accept it right now and I hear this in the background ! What can be more timely? Congrats, you crafty capitalist pig! Well done! |
| rapdas (South Pole) | Posted: Apr 14, 2011 - 13:15 This is surreal! I got an offer to study at London Business School and I am about to accept it right now and I hear this in the background ! What can be more timely? |
| apd (Toronto, On) | Posted: Apr 10, 2011 - 14:19 Fantastic seque from Tori Amos' "Body and Soul". Nicely done, Bill. |
| toterola (Further) | Posted: Apr 10, 2011 - 14:19  Still... The only band that mattered when it counted. Rest easy, Joe.  |
| jerrieberrie (Omaha) | Posted: Mar 29, 2011 - 09:05 a nuclear meltdown - definitely the song of the day ! |
| jonybamf (Los Angeles) | Posted: Mar 29, 2011 - 09:05 Foot wrote: Thank you RP, never gets old. Haha, I was just going to write the exact opposite - I feel like I hear this song almost every day on RP :) |
| Foot | Posted: Mar 27, 2011 - 19:38 Thank you RP, never gets old. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Mar 20, 2011 - 00:34 Bruce Springsteen & ESB - London Calling, Live Hyde Park (2009) Following Saturday's appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, Bruce appeared on Sunday, June 28, at the Hard Rock Calling Festival in London's Hyde Park. Like Glastonbury, this turned into another magical show making the back-to-back U.K. festival appearances an all time highlight for Bruce and the Band. Here, in full, is the opening song from Bruce's set, "London Calling." (Joe Strummer/Mick Jones). |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Mar 03, 2011 - 14:28 The Clash - Interview with Tom Synder (1981)The Clash interviewed on the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. June 1981. "I laughed my way through this!!! Its hilarious!" jimjimtrains Studio albums
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| Art_Carnage (DeepintheheartofTexas) | Posted: Feb 25, 2011 - 21:42 And I live in a van, down by the river! |
| musicdan (West Coast of Michigan) | Posted: Feb 10, 2011 - 17:23 feels pretty ice age here |
| sportskid (Earth) | Posted: Jan 25, 2011 - 15:16 Rip it up Joe!!! |
| unclehud (300 feet above the planet) | Posted: Nov 23, 2010 - 13:44 cousinkill wrote: someone's calling and I don'tknowwhoitis... best ringtone ever Chuckle! |
| Monkeysdad (Simi, CA) | Posted: Nov 01, 2010 - 14:57 Transports me right back to my college days......(sigh) |
| lemmoth (NYC) | Posted: Nov 01, 2010 - 14:56 One of the top ten songs of all time. Miss Joe so much |
| vandal (arriving somewhere, but not here. . .) | Posted: Oct 21, 2010 - 09:34 johnjconn wrote: A recient sighting of Joe Sturmmer found him pounding the shit out of Elvis (at a Burger King of course) while Jimi watched and laughed. I watched them over the top of my Whopper with cheese; Joe has a mean right cross which Elvis deftly blocked with his lower jaw. The earth shook when Elvis dropped like a sack of meat to the cold tile floor. . . Long live Joe! |
| Alpine (N39d39mW121d30m) | Posted: Oct 14, 2010 - 19:32 This song makes me want to spit beer. |
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