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London Calling

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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 photograph by Penny Smith 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, although ironically at the time Smith did not want the picure used as she did not feel it was technically a very good shot.

Notable commercial use of the album includes the use of the title track in the James Bond flim Die Another Day in one segment of the flim and in a commercial for the Jaguar.

Track listing

  1. "London Calling" (3:20)
  2. "Brand New Cadillac" (Vince Taylor) (2:08)
  3. "Jimmy Jazz" (3:54)
  4. "Hateful" (2:44)
  5. "Rudie Can't Fail" (Jones/Strummer) (3:29)
  6. "Spanish Bombs" (Jones/Strummer) (3:18)
  7. "The Right Profile" (Strummer) (3:54)
  8. "Lost in the Supermarket" (Strummer) (3:47)
  9. "Clampdown" (Jones/Strummer) (3:49)
  10. "The Guns of Brixton" (Simonon) (3:09)
  11. "Wrong 'Em Boyo" (3:10)
  12. "Death or Glory" (Strummer) (3:55)
  13. "Koka Kola" (1:47)
  14. "The Card Cheat" (Strummer) (3:49)
  15. "Lover's Rock" (4:03)
  16. "Four Horsemen" (2:55)
  17. "I'm Not Down" (3:06)
  18. "Revolution Rock" (5:33)
  19. "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" (Jones/Strummer) (3:09) (Not listed)

Personnel

  • Joe Strummer - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, "Pianner"
  • Mick Jones - Guitar, Vocals, Piano
  • Paul Simonon - Bass, Vocals
  • Topper Headon - Drums, Percussion
  • Micky Gallagher - Organ
  • Irish Horns - Brass
  • Guy Stevens - Producer
  • Bill Price - Chief Engineer
  • Jerry Green - 2nd Engineer
  • Pennie Smith - Photography
  • Ray Lowry - Design, Lyric calligraphy
  • Johnny Green - Road Manager
  • Baker Glare - "Pre-Production and Whistling"
  • Warren Steadman - Tour Lighting
  • Kozmo Vinyl - Management
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