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'{{About|the album|other uses|London Calling (disambiguation)}} {{Good article}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}} {{Infobox album | name = London Calling | type = studio | artist = [[The Clash]] | cover = TheClashLondonCallingalbumcover.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|1979|12|14|df=y}} | recorded = August–September and November 1979 | venue = | studio = [[Wessex Sound Studios]] in [[London]], England | genre = {{hlist|[[Post-punk]]|[[punk rock]]}} | length = 65:07 | label = {{hlist|[[Columbia Records|CBS]]|[[Epic Records|Epic]]}} | producer = {{hlist|[[Guy Stevens]]|[[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]]}} | prev_title = [[Give 'Em Enough Rope]] | prev_year = 1978 | next_title = [[Sandinista!]] | next_year = 1980 | misc = {{Singles | name = London Calling | type = studio | single1 = [[London Calling (song)|London Calling]] | single1date = 7 December 1979 | single2 = [[Clampdown]] | single2date = 1980 (AUS only) | single3 = [[Train in Vain]] | single3date = 12 February 1980 }} }} '''''London Calling''''' is the third studio album by English [[rock music|rock]] band [[The Clash]]. It was originally released as a [[double album]] in the United Kingdom on 14 December 1979 by [[Columbia Records|CBS Records]], and in the United States in January 1980 by [[Epic Records]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Frank |last=Hoffmann |year=2005 |title=Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound |page=397 |publisher=Routledge}}</ref> The Clash recorded the album at [[Wessex Sound Studios]] in London during August, September and November 1979, following a change in management and a period of [[writer's block]] for [[Joe Strummer]] and [[Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist)|Mick Jones]], the band's lead vocalists, guitarists, and lyricists. Considered by critics to be a [[post-punk]] album, ''London Calling'' reflects the band's growing interest in a range of styles beyond their punk roots, including [[reggae]], [[rockabilly]], [[ska]], [[New Orleans R&B]], [[pop music|pop]], [[lounge music|lounge jazz]], and [[hard rock]]. Themes explored in the songs include social displacement, [[unemployment]], [[Race (classification of humans)|racial conflict]], [[Recreational drug use|drug use]], and the responsibilities of adulthood.<ref name="ew">Sinclair, Tom. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,698325,00.html "The Best Album of All Time"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725043431/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C698325%2C00.html |date=25 July 2014 }}. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. 24 September 2004. Retrieved 20 February 2008.</ref> The album was a top ten chart success in the UK, and its lead single "[[London Calling (song)|London Calling]]" was a top 20 single.<ref name="everyhit">[http://www.everyhit.co.uk/ "UK Chart Archive"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417080442/http://www.everyhit.co.uk/ |date=17 April 2016 }}. everyHit.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> The album has sold over five million copies worldwide,<ref name="500greatest" /> and was certified [[Music recording sales certification|platinum]] in the United States, indicating one million sold there.<ref name="riaa">[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH "RIAA Searchable Database"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626050454/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH |date=26 June 2007 }}. [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> A widespread critical success, it was ranked at number eight on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of [[The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] in 2003.<ref name="500greatest"/> ==Background== As early as their second album ''[[Give 'Em Enough Rope]]'' (1978), the Clash had started to depart from the [[punk rock]] sound.<ref name="Sargeant"/> While touring in the United States twice in 1979, they chose supporting acts such as rhythm and blues artists [[Bo Diddley]], [[Sam & Dave]], [[Lee Dorsey]], and [[Screamin' Jay Hawkins]], as well as [[neotraditional country]] artist [[Joe Ely]] and [[psychobilly|punk rockabilly]] band [[the Cramps]]. This developed fascination with [[rock and roll]] inspired their direction for ''London Calling''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-clash-mn0000075747|title=The Clash|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68haA2SRP?url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-clash-mn0000075747|archive-date=26 June 2012|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After recording ''Give 'Em Enough Rope'', the Clash separated from their manager [[Bernard Rhodes]].<ref name="Gilbert212-213">Gilbert 2005, pp. 212–213.</ref> This separation meant that the group had to leave their rehearsal studio in [[Camden Town]] and find another location to compose their music. Tour manager Johnny Green and drum roadie Baker had found the group a new place to rehearse called Vanilla Studios, which was located in the back of a [[Automobile repair shop|garage]] in [[Pimlico]].<ref>Green 2003, p. 156.</ref><ref name="uncut58">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 58.</ref><ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|88}} Leading up to this relocation, the band's main songwriters [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]] and [[Joe Strummer]] had experienced a period of [[writer's block]] and had not written a new song from scratch in over a year; their recently released ''[[The Cost of Living (EP)|Cost of Living]]'' EP featured a cover song and three other songs that had all been written over twelve months earlier.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|91}} The Clash arrived at Vanilla in May 1979 without a single new song prepared for their third album.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|89,91}} == Rehearsals == Once in Vanilla Studios, the group began performing cover songs from a variety of genres, such as [[rockabilly]], [[rock and roll]], [[rhythm and blues]], and [[reggae]].<ref name="ew" /><ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|93–7}} In contrast to previous rehearsal sessions, the band kept these rehearsals private, and did not allow hangers-on to attend.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|90}} This seclusion allowed the band to rebuild their confidence without worrying about the reaction from outsiders, who were familiar with the band's [[punk rock]] musical style.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|97}} The band developed an "extremely disciplined"<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|98}} daily routine of afternoon musical rehearsals, broken by a late-afternoon social [[Association football|football]] game, which fostered a friendly bond between the band members.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|98–100}} The daily football match was followed by a couple of drinks at a local pub, which was itself followed by a second musical rehearsal session in the evening.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|98–100}} The band gradually rebuilt their musical and songwriting confidence during these rehearsals during the summer of 1979, with the styles of the session's early cover songs setting the template for the diverse material that would be written for ''London Calling''.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|98}} The band were also encouraged by a growing appreciation of drummer [[Topper Headon|Topper Headon's]] drumming skills, which they realised could be used to perform music in a wide array of genres and styles beyond punk rock.<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|95}} == Writing and recording == {{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center | align = right | direction = vertical | width = 230 | header = | image1 = JoeStrummer1980.jpg | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = MickJones1980.jpg | alt2 = | caption2 = [[Joe Strummer]] (top) and [[Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist)|Mick Jones]] (bottom), the band's lead vocalists, guitarists, and lyricists; pictured in 1980 }} The Clash wrote and recorded [[Demo (music)|demo]]s at Vanilla Studios, with [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]] composing and arranging much of the music and [[Joe Strummer]] generally writing the lyrics.<ref name="ew" /><ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|100–103}} Strummer wrote "[[Lost in the Supermarket]]" after imagining Jones' childhood growing up in a basement with his mother and grandmother.<ref name=dvd>''London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition''. "The Last Testament – The Making of London Calling". Information about the recording of ''London Calling''. Retrieved 18 February 2008.</ref> "[[The Guns of Brixton]]" was the first of bassist [[Paul Simonon]]'s compositions the band would record for an album, and the first to have him sing lead. Simonon was originally doubtful about its lyrics, which discuss an individual's paranoid outlook on life, but was encouraged by Strummer to continue working on it.<ref name="uncut67" /> In August 1979, the band entered [[Wessex Sound Studios|Wessex Studios]] to begin recording ''London Calling''. The Clash asked [[Guy Stevens]] to produce the album, much to the dismay of CBS Records.<ref name="Gilbert235">Gilbert 2005, p. 235.</ref> Stevens had alcohol and drug problems and his production methods were unconventional.<ref name="ew" /> During a recording session he swung a ladder and upturned chairs – apparently to create a rock & roll atmosphere.<ref name="ew" /> The Clash, especially Simonon, got along well with Stevens, and found Stevens' work to be very helpful and productive to both Simonon's playing and their recording as a band. The album was recorded during a five- to six-week period involving 18-hour days,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_london_calling_clash/ |title=Classic Tracks: The Clash's 'London Calling' |first=Chris |last=Michie |date=1 November 2000 |work=Mix |accessdate=18 January 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901182906/http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_london_calling_clash/ |archivedate=1 September 2012 |df= }}</ref> with many songs recorded in one or two takes.<ref name="ew" /> The first track recorded for ''London Calling'' was "[[Brand New Cadillac]]", which the Clash had originally used as a warm up song before recording.<ref name="uncut65">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 65.</ref><ref name="Gilbert237">Gilbert 2005, p. 237.</ref> "[[Clampdown]]" began as an instrumental track called "Working and Waiting".<ref name="uncut67">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 67.</ref> While working on "The Card Cheat", the band recorded each part twice to create a "sound as big as possible".<ref name="uncut68">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 68.</ref> ==Musical style== ''London Calling'' is regarded by music critic [[Mark Kidel]] was the first [[post-punk]] double album, as it exhibits a broader range of musical styles than the Clash's previous records.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[New Statesman]]|last=Kidel|first=Mark|authorlink=Mark Kidel|title=Explorations of Heartache|page=225|volume=99|year=1980|location=London}}</ref> [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] said the album appropriated the "[[punk subculture|punk aesthetic]] into rock & roll mythology and [[American folk music|roots music]]", while incorporating a wider range of styles such as punk, reggae, rockabilly, ska, [[New Orleans R&B]], [[pop music|pop]], [[lounge music|lounge jazz]], and [[hard rock]].<ref name=Allmusic/> "[[Brand New Cadillac]]", the album's second track, was written and originally recorded by [[Vince Taylor]] and was cited by the Clash as "one of the first British rock'n'roll records".<ref name="uncut65">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 65.</ref><ref name="Gilbert237">Gilbert 2005, p. 237.</ref> The fifth song, "[[Rudie Can't Fail]]" features a horn section and mixes elements of pop, soul, and reggae music together.<ref name="rudie"/> The Clash's embrace of specific musical traditions for ''London Calling'' deviated from what [[Greg Kot]] viewed as punk's iconoclastic sensibilities.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kot|first=Greg|authorlink=Greg Kot|date=13 February 2000|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-02-13/news/0002130301_1_combat-rock-mick-jones-band/2|title=Rebel Recall|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319220923/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-02-13/news/0002130301_1_combat-rock-mick-jones-band/2|archive-date=19 March 2014|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Speaking on the album, [[Jack Sargeant (writer)|Jack Sargeant]] remarked that "whether the Clash completely abandoned their punk roots or pushed punk's musical eclecticism and diversity into new terrain remains a controversial issue."<ref name="Sargeant">{{cite book|title=No Focus|last1=Barber|first1=Chris|last2=Sargeant|first2=Jack|authorlink2=Jack Sargeant (writer)|page=41|publisher=Headpress|year=2006|isbn=1-900486-59-8}}</ref> == Themes == {{listen | filename = The Clash - London Calling.ogg | title = "London Calling" | description = The song's [[lyrics]] were influenced by the [[Three Mile Island accident|March 1979 meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island]] in [[Pennsylvania]]. | format = ogg | filename2 = Clash-The Guns of Brixton.ogg | title2 = "The Guns of Brixton" | description2 = The song was the first composed solely by [[Paul Simonon]] and discusses an individual's paranoid outlook on life. | format2 = ogg }} The album's songs are generally about London, with narratives featuring both fictional and life-based characters, such as an underworld criminal named Jimmy Jazz and a gun-toting [[Jimmy Cliff]] aspirer living in [[Brixton]] ("[[Guns of Brixton]]").<ref name="Taylor"/> In the opinion of ''[[PopMatters]]'' journalist Sal Ciolfi, the songs encompass an arrangement of urban narratives and characters, and touch on themes such as sex, depression and identity crisis.<ref name=PopMatters>{{cite web |work=[[PopMatters]] |date=10 March 2004 |first=Sal |last=Ciofli |title=The Clash: ''London Calling'' > Album Review |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/14505/clash-londonmft |accessdate=22 February 2008 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68hZwIGeS?url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/clash-londonmft/ |archive-date=26 June 2012 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> "Rudie Can't Fail" chronicles the life of a fun-loving young man who is criticised for his inability to act like a responsible adult.<ref name="rudie">Guarisco, Donald A. [{{Allmusic|class=song|id=t3298492|pure_url=yes}} "Rudie Can't Fail Review"]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 18 February 2008.</ref> "Clampdown" comments on people who forsake the idealism of youth and urge young people to fight the [[status quo]].<ref>Guarisco, Donald A. [{{Allmusic|class=song|id=t3298496|pure_url=yes}} "Clampdown Review"]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 18 February 2008.</ref> "The Guns of Brixton" explores an individual's paranoid outlook on life,<ref name="uncut67" /> while on "[[Death or Glory (song)|Death or Glory]]", Strummer examines his life in retrospect and acknowledges the complications and responsibilities of adulthood.<ref name="Gilbert259">Gilbert 2005, p. 259.</ref> "Lover's Rock" advocates [[safe sex]] and planning.<ref name="Spicer 1999">{{cite book|page=44|last=Spicer|first=Al|year=1999|title=Rock: 100 Essential CDs : The Rough Guide|publisher=[[Rough Guides]]|isbn=1-85828-490-2}}</ref> Some songs have more widely contextualised narratives, including references to the "evil presidentes" working for the "[[clampdown]]", the lingering effects of the [[Spanish Civil War]] ("[[Spanish Bombs]]"), and how constant [[consumerism]] had led to unavoidable political apathy ("[[Lost in the Supermarket]]").<ref name="Taylor">{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=Steve|page=67|title=The A to X of Alternative Music|year=2006|publisher=[[Continuum Books|Continuum]]|isbn=0-8264-8217-1}}</ref> "London Calling", the album's [[London Calling (song)|title track]] and opener, was partially influenced by the March 1979 accident at a [[Nuclear reactor technology|nuclear reactor]] at [[Three Mile Island accident|Three Mile Island]] in [[Pennsylvania]]. It also discusses the problems of rising unemployment, racial conflict and drug use in [[Great Britain]].<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6595860/london_calling "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: The Clash London Calling"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409085334/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6595860/london_calling |date=9 April 2010 }}. ''[[Rolling Stone]]''. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2008.</ref> According to music critic Tom Carson, "while the album draws on the entirety of rock and roll's past for its sound, the concepts and lyrical themes are drawn from the history, politics and myths associated with the genre".<ref name=RSreview/> ==Artwork== [[File:LondonCallingLogotype.png|thumb|Logotype for the album]] The album's front cover features a photograph of [[bass guitar|bassist]] [[Paul Simonon]] smashing his [[Fender Precision Bass]] (on display at the Cleveland [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as of May 2009)<ref>[http://www.rockhall.com/images/Large_Guide.pdf "Exhibit and Information Guide."] p. 5. Retrieved 17 May 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117050807/http://www.rockhall.com/images/Large_Guide.pdf |date=17 January 2010 }}</ref> against the stage at [[Palladium (music venue)|The Palladium]] in New York City on 20 September 1979 during the Clash [[Taking the Fifth|Take the Fifth]] US tour.<ref>Green 2003, pp. 195–196.</ref><ref name="uncut70">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 70.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-did-a-famous-guitar-smashing-occur-one-fan-insists-everyone-has-it-wrong-1528212278 |first=Cameron |last=McWhirter |title=When Did a Famous Guitar-Smashing Occur? One Fan Insists Everyone Has It Wrong |newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=5 June 2018 |accessdate=5 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606034058/https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-did-a-famous-guitar-smashing-occur-one-fan-insists-everyone-has-it-wrong-1528212278 |archive-date=6 June 2018 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Simonon explained in a 2011 interview with [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] that he smashed the bass out of frustration when he learned that the bouncers at the concert would not allow the audience members to stand up out of their seats; "I wasn't taking it out on the bass guitar, cos there ain't anything wrong with it.", Simonon said. [[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.<ref name="uncut70" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Godwin|first=Richard|title=London Calling again|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23845073-london-calling-again.do|accessdate=16 June 2010|newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]]|date=15 June 2010|quote=Lowry: "Actually, I had no idea it was out of focus. Half-blind at the best of times and half-pissed at the time, that simply had to be the one."|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617014630/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/article-23845073-london-calling-again.do|archivedate=17 June 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment – total loss of control".<ref>Judd, Terri. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020124/ai_n9669465 "One hundred timeless rock'n'roll moments, and the photographers who&nbsp;..."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227154511/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020124/ai_n9669465 |date=27 December 2008 }}. ''[[The Independent]]''. 24 January 2002. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was an homage to the design of [[Elvis Presley]]'s [[Elvis Presley (album)|self-titled debut album]], with pink letters down the left side and green text across the bottom.<ref>Green 2003, p. 194.</ref><ref>Tryangiel, Josh. [http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0,27693,London_Calling,00.html "The All-TIME 100 Albums: London Calling"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202053102/http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0%2C27693%2CLondon_Calling%2C00.html |date=2 February 2011 }}. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. 13 November 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by ''Q'' magazine in 2001.<ref>O'Connor, Mickey. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,102565,00.html "London's Q magazine picked these; what are yours?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725032304/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C102565%2C00.html |date=25 July 2014 }}. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. 14 March 2001. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> In 1995, [[Big Audio Dynamite]] (a band fronted by former Clash member [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]]) 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 stamp]]s issued in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Classic Album Covers: Issue Date – 7 January 2010 |url=http://www.royalmail.com/portal/stamps/content1?catId=32300674&mediaId=112400790 |publisher=[[Royal Mail]] |accessdate=8 January 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219004400/http://www.royalmail.com/portal/stamps/content1?catId=32300674&mediaId=112400790 |archivedate=19 February 2012 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jan/08/coldplay-album-stamp-approval | title=Coldplay album gets stamp of approval from Royal Mail | work=The Guardian | date=8 January 2010 | accessdate=8 January 2010 | location=London | first=Sean | last=Michaels | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111051931/http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jan/08/coldplay-album-stamp-approval | archive-date=11 January 2010 | dead-url=no | df=dmy-all }}</ref> ==Release and promotion== The album was released in the United Kingdom on [[Gramophone record|vinyl]] in mid-December 1979, and in the United States on vinyl and [[8-track tape]] two weeks later in January 1980. A [[gatefold]] cover design of the LP was only released in Japan. Though ''London Calling'' was released as a [[double album]] it was only sold for about the price of a single album. The Clash's record label, CBS, at first denied the band's request for the album to be released as a double. In return CBS gave permission for the band to include a free [[12-inch single]] that played at [[33⅓]] [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]]. Ultimately, the planned 12-inch record became a second nine-track [[LP record|LP]].<ref name="uncut58" /> The final track, "[[Train in Vain]]", was originally excluded from the back cover's track listing.<ref name="Green 2003 218">Green 2003, p. 218.</ref> It was intended to be given away through a promotion with ''NME'', but was added to the album at the last minute after the deal fell through.<ref name="Back 2009">Back, Johnny. [http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=299 "The Greatest Songs Ever! "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)""]. ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''. April/May 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221070346/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=299 |date=21 February 2009 }}</ref> Upon its release, ''London Calling'' sold approximately two million copies.<ref name="500greatest" /> The album peaked at number nine in the United Kingdom<ref name="everyhit" /> and was certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] in December 1979.<ref>[http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=21849 "British gold certification for ''London Calling''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207133548/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=21849 |date=7 December 2008 }}. [[British Phonographic Industry]]. 31 December 1979. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> The album performed strongly outside the United Kingdom. It reached number two in Sweden<ref name="sweden" /> and number four in Norway.<ref name=norway>[http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash "Discography The Clash"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210511/http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The%20Clash |date=3 March 2016 }}. NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved 26 October 2008.</ref> In the United States, ''London Calling'' peaked at number 27 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Pop Albums]] chart<ref name="USCharts">[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p3913/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} "The Clash > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums"]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 26 October 2008.</ref> and was certified platinum in February 1996.<ref name="riaa" /> The album produced two of the band's most successful singles. "[[London Calling (song)|London Calling]]" preceded the album with a 7 December 1979 release. It peaked at number 11 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="everyhit" /> The song's music video, directed by Letts, featured the band performing the song on a boat in the pouring rain with the [[River Thames]] behind them.<ref name="uncut69">Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''. October 2004. p. 69.</ref> In the United States, "[[Train in Vain]]", backed with "London Calling", was released as a single in February 1980. It peaked at number 23 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] singles chart and "London Calling"/"Train in Vain" peaked at number 30 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Dance Club Songs|Disco Top 100]] chart.<ref name="USSingleCharts">[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p3913/charts-awards/billboard-singles|pure_url=yes}} "The Clash > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles"]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> A UK-only [[Compact Cassette|cassette]] was released in 1986. A CD was released in the US in 1987, with a [[remaster]]ed version in the UK in 1999 followed by the US in 2000, along with the rest of the band's catalogue. In 2004, a 25th-anniversary ''Legacy Edition'' was published with a bonus CD and DVD in digipack. The bonus CD features ''The Vanilla Tapes'', missing recordings made by the band in mid-1979.<ref>Gilbert, Pat. "The 'Vanilla Tapes'". ''London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition'' (CD liner notes). September 2004.</ref> The DVD includes ''The Last Testament – The Making of London Calling'', a film by [[Don Letts]], as well as previously unseen video footage and music videos. A limited-edition [[picture disc]] LP was released in 2010. ==Critical reception== ''London Calling'' was met with widespread critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin Charles|authorlink=Martin C. Strong|year=2006|page=206|title=The Essential Rock Discography|publisher=[[Canongate Books|Canongate U.S.]]|isbn=1-84195-860-3}}</ref> Reviewing the album for ''[[The New York Times]]'' in 1980, [[John Rockwell]] said it finally validates the acclaim received by the Clash up to that point because of how their serious political themes and vital playing were retained in innovative music with a broad appeal. "This is an album that captures all the Clash's primal energy, combines it with a brilliant production job by Guy Stevens and reveals depths of invention and creativity barely suggested by the band's previous work", Rockwell said.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rockwell|first=John|authorlink=John Rockwell|page=C12|date=4 January 1980|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B04E0D9173BE732A25757C0A9679C94619FD6CF|title=The Pop Life; 'London Calling' helps the Clash live up to billing|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204731/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B04E0D9173BE732A25757C0A9679C94619FD6CF|archive-date=6 June 2014|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}{{subscription required}}</ref> [[Charles Shaar Murray]] wrote in ''[[NME]]'' that it was the first record to be on-par with the band's hype, while ''[[Melody Maker]]'' critic James Truman said the Clash had "discovered themselves" by embracing American music styles.<ref name="Gray">{{cite book|last=Gray|first=Marcus|title=Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling|publisher=[[Soft Skull Press]]|year=2010|isbn=1-59376-391-3}}</ref>{{rp|412}} ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine's Tom Carson claimed the music celebrates "the romance of rock & roll rebellion", adding that it is vast, engaging, and enduring enough to leave listeners "not just exhilarated but exalted and triumphantly alive".<ref name=RSreview>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=314 |date=3 April 1980 |first=Tom |last=Carson |title=The Clash ''London Calling'' > Album Review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/london-calling-19800403 |accessdate=22 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221093058/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/london-calling-19800403 |archive-date=21 December 2010 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In the opinion of ''[[Down Beat]]'' journalist Michael Goldberg, the Clash had produced "a classic rock album which, literally, defines the state of rock and roll and against which the very best of [the 1980s] will have to be judged."<ref name="Goldberg">{{cite journal|journal=[[Down Beat]]|location=Chicago|pages=4, 32–35|last=Goldberg|first=Michael|year=1980|volume=47|title=The Clash}}</ref> Some reviewers expressed reservations. DJ and critic [[Charlie Gillett]] believed some of the songs sounded like poor imitations of [[Bob Dylan]] backed by a horn section. [[Garry Bushell]] was more critical in his review for ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'', giving the record two out of five stars while claiming the Clash had "retrogressed" to [[Rolling Stones]]-style "outlaw imagery" and "tired old rock clichés".<ref name="Gray"/>{{rp|412}} At the end of 1980, ''London Calling'' was voted the best album of the year in the [[Pazz & Jop]], an annual poll of American critics published by ''[[The Village Voice]]''.<ref name=PazzJop>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]] |date=9 February 1981 |title=The 1980 Pazz &amp; Jop Critics Poll |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres80.php |accessdate=21 March 2005 |ref=PazzJop |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308112003/http://robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres80.php |archive-date=8 March 2005 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> [[Robert Christgau]], the poll's creator and supervisor, also named it 1980's best record in an accompanying essay and said, "it generated an urgency and vitality and ambition (that Elvis P. cover!) which overwhelmed the pessimism of its [[Left-wing politics|leftist]] world-view."<ref>{{cite news|date=9 February 1981|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj80.php|title=The Year of the Lollapalooza|last=Christgau|first=Robert|newspaper=The Village Voice|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815185537/http://robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj80.php|archive-date=15 August 2013|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}</ref> == Legacy == {{Album ratings | title = Retrospective professional ratings | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=Allmusic>{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/london-calling-mw0000189413|title=London Calling – The Clash|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|accessdate=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68USqHuaT?url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/london-calling-mw0000189413|archive-date=17 June 2012|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wolk|first=Douglas|authorlink=Douglas Wolk|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/back-catalogue/54673/london-calling.html|title=The Clash: London Calling|journal=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|location=New York|date=21 August 2007|accessdate=31 August 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702235137/http://www.blender.com/guide/back-catalogue/54673/london-calling.html|archivedate=2 July 2009}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' | rev3Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref name="McLeese"/> | rev4 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s|Christgau's Record Guide]]'' | rev4Score = A+<ref name="CG80s"/> | rev5 = ''[[Down Beat]]'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Goldberg"/> | rev6 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' | rev6Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|authorlink=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2011|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|isbn=0-85712-595-8|edition=5th concise}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' | rev7Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Qmag"/> | rev8 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' | rev8Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|authorlink=Rob Sheffield|chapter=The Clash|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&lpg=PA167&pg=PA167|accessdate=24 September 2011|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|year=2004|title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide|The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|publisher=[[Fireside Books]]|edition=4th|location=London|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|pages=167–168}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]'' | rev9Score = 5/5<ref>{{cite journal|title=Clash Reissues|journal=[[Select (magazine)|Select]]|location=London|issue=114|date=December 1999|page=88}}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[Spin Alternative Record Guide]]'' | rev10Score = 7/10<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Weisbard|editor1-first=Eric|editor2-last=Marks|editor2-first=Craig|year=1995|title=[[Spin Alternative Record Guide]]|publisher=[[Vintage Books]]|location=New York|isbn=0-679-75574-8|chapter=The Clash}}</ref> }} ''London Calling'' has since been considered by many critics to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459257/joe-strummer-clash-dead-at-50.jhtml|title=Joe Strummer Of The Clash Dead At 50|publisher=[[MTV News]]|date=23 December 2002|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004224354/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459257/joe-strummer-clash-dead-at-50.jhtml|archive-date=4 October 2013|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}</ref> including [[AllMusic]]'s [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]], who said that it sounded more purposeful than "most albums, let alone double albums".<ref name=Allmusic/> In ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]]'' (1990), Christgau called it the best double album since [[the Rolling Stones]]' ''[[Exile on Main St.]]'' (1972) and said it expanded upon, rather than compromised, the Clash's driving guitar sound in a "warm, angry, and thoughtful, confident, melodic, and hard-rocking" showcase of their musical abilities.<ref name="CG80s">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Christgau|year=1990|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: The '80s]]|page=92|publisher=[[Pantheon Books]]|isbn=0-679-73015-X|chapter=The Clash: London Calling|chapter-url=http://robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=3540|accessdate=21 September 2011}}</ref> According to the English music writer [[Dave Thompson (author)|Dave Thompson]], ''London Calling'' established the Clash as more than "a simple punk band" with a "potent" album of neurotic post-punk, despite its amalgam of disparate and occasionally disjointed musical influences.<ref>{{cite book|last=Thompson|first=Dave|authorlink=Dave Thompson (author)|year=2000|page=271|title=Alternative Rock|publisher=[[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|isbn=0-87930-607-6}}</ref> Don McLeese from the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' regarded it as their best album and "punk's finest hour", as it found the band broadening their artistry without compromising their original vigor and immediacy.<ref name="McLeese">{{cite news|last=McLeese|first=Don|date=16 March 1987|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36D59A47BB5A5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Husker Du proves its wide range|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|page=36|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104035616/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36D59A47BB5A5&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|archive-date=4 January 2014|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}{{subscription required}}</ref> ''[[PopMatters]]'' critic Sal Ciolfi called it a "big, loud, beautiful collection of hurt, anger, restless thought, and above all hope" that still sounds "relevant and vibrant".<ref name=PopMatters/> In a review of its 25th anniversary reissue, ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' wrote that the songs and characters in the lyrics cross-referenced each other because of the album's exceptional sequencing, adding that "The Vanilla Tapes" bonus disc enhanced what was already a "masterpiece".<ref name="Uncut">{{cite journal|title=Review: London Calling <nowiki>[25th Anniversary Legacy Edition]</nowiki>|journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|location=London|date=October 2004|page=122}}</ref> According to [[Acclaimed Music]], ''London Calling'' is the sixth most highly ranked record on critics' lists of the all-time greatest albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/The%20Clash.htm|title=The Clash|publisher=[[Acclaimed Music]]|accessdate=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922154619/http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/Current/The%20Clash.htm|archive-date=22 September 2015|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1987, [[Robert Hilburn]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' named it the fourth-best album of the previous 10 years and said, while the Clash's debut was a punk masterpiece, ''London Calling'' marked the genre's "coming of age" as the band led the way into "fertile post-punk territory".<ref>{{cite news|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|authorlink=Robert Hilburn|date=17 May 1987|page=56|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58309968.html?dids=58309968:58309968&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+17%2C+1987&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=10+YEARS+LATER+A+Critic's+List+of+the+Best+Albums+of+the+Decade&pqatl=google|title=10 Years Later – A Critic's List of the Best Albums of the Decade|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=10 July 2013}} {{subscription required}}</ref> In 1989, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked the 1980 American release as the best album of the 1980s.<ref name=RS1989>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=565 |date=16 November 1989 |page=53 |first=Michael |last=Azerrad |authorlink=Michael Azerrad |first2=Anthony |last2=DeCurtis |author2-link=Anthony DeCurtis |title=The 100 Best Albums of the Eighties: The Clash, 'London Calling' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-eighties-20110418/the-clash-london-calling-19691231 |accessdate=30 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421081435/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-eighties-20110418/the-clash-london-calling-19691231 |archive-date=21 April 2011 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In the 1994 ''[[All Time Top 1000 Albums|Guinness Book of Top 1000 Albums]]'', [[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]] named it the second-greatest punk album.<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|authorlink=Colin Larkin (writer)|title=Guinness Book of Top 1000 Albums|publisher=Gullane Children's Books|year=1994|edition=1|isbn=978-0-85112-786-6|page=234}}</ref> In 1999, ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'' magazine named ''London Calling'' the fourth-greatest British album of all time,<ref>{{cite journal |date=December 1999 |title=100 Greatest British Albums |journal=[[Q magazine|''Q'' magazine]] |page=90 }}</ref> and wrote that it is "the best Clash album and therefore among the very best albums ever recorded".<ref name="Qmag">{{cite journal|title=Review: London Calling|journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|location=London|pages=152–3|date=December 1999}}</ref> The magazine later ranked it 20th on its list of the 100 Greatest Albums Ever.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Q magazine|''Q'' magazine]]|date=February 2006|issue=235|page=66|title=The 100 Greatest Albums Ever!}}</ref> It has also been ranked as the sixth-greatest album of the 1970s by ''[[NME]]'',<ref>{{cite journal |date=11 September 1993 |title=The Greatest Albums of The '70s |journal=[[NME]] |page=18 }}</ref> and the second-best in a similar list by ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'',<ref>{{cite web |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=23 June 2004 |title=Top 100 Albums of the 1970s |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5932-top-100-albums-of-the-1970s/10/ |accessdate=17 February 2008 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6G41ydyKK?url=http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/5932-top-100-albums-of-the-1970s/10/ |archive-date=22 April 2013 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> whose reviewer [[Amanda Petrusich]] said that it was the Clash's "creative apex" as a "rock band" rather than as a punk band.<ref name=Pitchfork>{{cite web |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=21 September 2004 |first=Amanda |last=Petrusich |title=The Clash ''London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition'' > Review |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/reviews/albums/1490-london-calling-25th-anniversary-legacy-edition/ |accessdate=3 April 2006 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68hZvePCr?url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1490-london-calling-25th-anniversary-legacy-edition/ |archive-date=26 June 2012 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2003, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked it eighth on their list of [[The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref name="500greatest">{{cite book |chapter=8&#124; London Calling – The Clash |chapterurl=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/london-calling-the-clash-19691231 |last=Levy |first=Joe |author2=Steven Van Zandt |title=[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]] |origyear=2005 |edition=3rd |year=2006 |publisher=Turnaround |location=London |isbn=1-932958-61-4 |oclc=70672814 |ref=RS500}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Tom Sinclair declared it the "Best Album of All Time" in his headline for a 2004 article on the album.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,698325,00.html | work=Entertainment Weekly | first=Tom | last=Sinclair | title=The Best Album of All Time | date=24 September 2004 | access-date=6 January 2008 | archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/68USnytBO?url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,698325,00.html | archive-date=17 June 2012 | dead-url=no | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2007, it was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame Award|Grammy Hall of Fame]], a collection of recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.<ref>[http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame "Grammy Hall of Fame Award"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707235113/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame |date=7 July 2015 }}. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 18 February 2008.</ref> In 2009, the album was included in the [[BBC Radio 1]] Masterpieces Series, denoting one of the most influential albums of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/masterpieces/2009/|title=Masterpieces|last=Lowe|first=Zane|date=2 December 2009|publisher=[[BBC 1]]|accessdate=3 December 2009|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/69i3m5zgX?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/masterpieces/2009/|archive-date=6 August 2012|dead-url=no|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = Side one | all_writing = [[Joe Strummer]] and [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]], except where noted | extra_column = Lead vocals | title1 = [[London Calling (song)|London Calling]] | extra1 = Strummer | length1 = 3:19 | title2 = [[Brand New Cadillac#The Clash Version|Brand New Cadillac]] | writer2 = [[Vince Taylor]] | extra2 = Strummer | length2 = 2:09 | title3 = Jimmy Jazz | extra3 = Strummer | length3 = 3:52 | title4 = Hateful | extra4 = Strummer | length4 = 2:45 | title5 = [[Rudie Can't Fail]] | extra5 = Strummer, Jones | length5 = 3:26 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side two | extra_column = Lead vocals | title1 = [[Spanish Bombs]] | extra1 = Strummer, Jones | length1 = 3:19 | title2 = The Right Profile | extra2 = Strummer | length2 = 3:56 | title3 = [[Lost in the Supermarket]] | extra3 = Jones | length3 = 3:47 | title4 = [[Clampdown]] | extra4 = Strummer, Jones | length4 = 3:49 | title5 = [[The Guns of Brixton]] | writer5 =[[Paul Simonon]] | extra5 = Simonon | length5 = 3:07 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side three | extra_column = Lead vocals | title1 = Wrong 'Em Boyo | writer1 = Clive Alphonso; originally performed by the Rulers; including "[[Stagger Lee (song)|Stagger Lee]]" | extra1 = Strummer | length1 = 3:10 | title2 = [[Death or Glory (song)|Death or Glory]] | extra2 = Strummer | length2 = 3:55 | title3 = Koka Kola | extra3 = Strummer | length3 = 1:46 | title4 = The Card Cheat | writer4 = Strummer, Jones, Simonon, [[Topper Headon]] | extra4 = Jones | length4 = 3:51 }} {{Track listing | headline = Side four | extra_column = Lead vocals | title1 = Lover's Rock | extra1 = Strummer | length1 = 4:01 | title2 = Four Horsemen | extra2 = Strummer | length2 = 2:56 | title3 = I'm Not Down | extra3 = Jones | length3 = 3:00 | title4 = [[Revolution Rock]] | writer4 = [[Jackie Edwards (musician)|Jackie Edwards]], [[Danny Ray (singer)|Danny Ray]]; originally performed by Danny Ray and the Revolutionaries | extra4 = Strummer | length4 = 5:37 | title5 = [[Train in Vain]] | note5 = | extra5 = Jones | length5 = 3:09 }} * On the original version of the album, "Train in Vain" was not listed on the sleeve, nor the label on the record itself, but an extraneous sticker indicating the track was affixed to the outer cellophane wrapper. It was also scratched into the vinyl in the run-off area on the fourth side of the album. Later editions included the song in the track listing. {{Track listing | headline = 25th anniversary edition bonus disc – "The Vanilla Tapes" | collapsed = yes | title1 = Hateful | writer1 = Strummer, Jones | length1 = 3:23 | title2 = [[Rudie Can't Fail]] | writer2 = Strummer, Jones | length2 = 3:08 | title3 = Paul's Tune | length3 = 2:32 | writer3 = Simonon | title4 = I'm Not Down | writer4 = Strummer, Jones | length4 = 3:24 | title5 = 4 Horsemen | writer5 = Strummer, Jones | length5 = 2:45 | title6 = Koka Kola, Advertising & Cocaine | writer6 = Strummer, Jones | length6 = 1:57 | title7 = [[Death or Glory (song)|Death or Glory]] | writer7 = Strummer, Jones | length7 = 3:47 | title8 = Lover's Rock | writer8 = Strummer, Jones | length8 = 3:45 | title9 = Lonesome Me | length9 = 2:09 | writer9 = [[The Clash]] | title10 = The Police Walked in 4 Jazz | writer10 = Strummer, Jones | length10 = 2:19 | title11 = [[Lost in the Supermarket]] | writer11 = Strummer, Jones | length11 = 3:52 | title12 = Up-Toon | note12 = instrumental | writer12 = Strummer, Jones | length12 = 1:57 | title13 = Walking the Slidewalk | length13 = 2:34 | writer13 = The Clash | title14 = Where You Gonna Go (Soweto) | length14 = 4:05 | writer14 = [[Sonny Okosun]] | title15 = [[The Man in Me]] | length15 = 3:57 | writer15 = [[Bob Dylan]] | title16 = [[Remote Control (The Clash song)|Remote Control]] | writer16 = Strummer, Jones | length16 = 2:39 | title17 = Working and Waiting | writer17 = Strummer, Jones | length17 = 4:11 | title18 = Heart & Mind | length18 = 4:27 | writer18 = The Clash | title19 = Brand New Cadillac | length19 = 2:08 | writer19 = Taylor | title20 = [[London Calling (song)|London Calling]] | writer20 = Strummer, Jones | length20 = 4:26 | title21 = Revolution Rock | length21 = 3:51 | writer21 = Edwards, Ray }} {{Track listing | headline = Bonus DVD | collapsed = yes | title1 = ''The Last Testament: The Making of London Calling'' | title2 = London Calling | note2 = Music video | title3 = Train in Vain | note3 = Music video | title4 = Clampdown | note4 = Music video | title5 = Home video footage of The Clash recording in Wessex Studios }} ==Personnel== ===The Clash=== * [[Joe Strummer]]&nbsp;– [[Lead vocalist|lead]] and [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]], [[rhythm guitar]], [[piano]] * [[Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist)|Mick Jones]]&nbsp;– [[lead guitar]], piano, [[harmonica]], backing and lead vocals * [[Paul Simonon]]&nbsp;– bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "The Guns of Brixton" * [[Topper Headon]]&nbsp;– [[Drum kit|drums]], [[Percussion instrument|percussion]] ===Additional musicians=== * [[Mick Gallagher|Mickey Gallagher]]&nbsp;– [[Organ (music)|organ]] * The Irish Horns&nbsp;– [[Brass instrument|brass]] ===Production=== * [[Guy Stevens]]&nbsp;– [[Record producer|producer]] * [[Bill Price (record producer)|Bill Price]]&nbsp;– [[Audio engineering|engineer]] * Jerry Green&nbsp;– additional engineer * [[Ray Lowry]]&nbsp;– design * [[Pennie Smith]]&nbsp;– photography ==Charts== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Chart ! scope="col" sort-data-type="number" | Peak<br />position |- | rowspan="2" | 1979 | style="text-align:left" | [[Sverigetopplistan|Swedish Albums Chart]]<ref name="sweden">[http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash "Discography The Clash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609075350/http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash |date=9 June 2008 }}. SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> | 2 |- | style="text-align:left" | [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="everyhit" /> | 9 |- | rowspan="5" | 1980 | style="text-align:left" | [[Ö3 Austria Top 40|Austrian Albums Chart]]<ref name="austria">[http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash "Discographie The Clash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/68ha7ygLd?url=http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash |date=26 June 2012 }}. AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> | 17 |- | style="text-align:left" | [[Canadian Albums Chart|Canadian ''RPM'' Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0162a&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5|title=Top Albums/CDs – Volume 33, No.&nbsp;8, May 17, 1980|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|accessdate=31 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419002841/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0162a&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5|archive-date=19 April 2015|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | 12 |- | style="text-align:left" | [[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|New Zealand Albums Chart]]<ref>[http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash "Discography The Clash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/6AiwIDRy4?url=http://charts.org.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash |date=16 September 2012 }}. Charts.org.NZ. Retrieved 28 July 2012.</ref> | 12 |- | style="text-align:left" | [[VG-lista|Norwegian Albums Chart]]<ref name=norway/> | 4 |- | style="text-align:left" | [[Billboard 200|US ''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="USCharts" /> | 27 |- | 2003 | style="text-align:left" | [[Irish Albums Chart]]<ref>[http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash "Discography The Clash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113132931/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash |date=13 November 2013 }}. Irish-Charts.com. Retrieved 28 July 2012.</ref> | 23 |- | rowspan="4" | 2004 | style="text-align:left" | Norwegian Albums Chart<ref name=norway/><ref name="LC-25" group="n">''London Calling'' 25th anniversary edition</ref> | 17 |- | style="text-align:left" | Swedish Albums Chart<ref name="sweden" /><ref name="LC-25" group="n" /> | 45 |- | style="text-align:left" | [[Swiss Music Charts|Swiss Albums Chart]]<ref name="swiss">[http://www.swisscharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash "Discography The Clash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531150235/http://www.swisscharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Clash |date=31 May 2008 }}. SwissCharts.com. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref><ref name="LC-25" group="n" /> | 72 |- | style="text-align:left" | UK Albums Chart<ref name="everyhit" /><ref name="LC-25" group="n" /> | 26 |- | 2009 | style="text-align:left" | [[Productores de Música de España|Spanish Albums Chart]]<ref>[http://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Clash&titel=London+Calling&cat=a "The Clash – London Calling"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113133831/http://spanishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Clash&titel=London+Calling&cat=a |date=13 November 2013 }}. SpanishCharts.com. Retrieved 17 February 2008.</ref> | 52 |- | 2011 | style="text-align:left" | [[Top Pop Catalog Albums]]<ref>{{Allmusic|class=album|id=mw0000189413|label=''London Calling''|tab=awards}}</ref> | 38 |- | 2012 | style="text-align:left" | [[Polish Music Charts|Polish Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=765&lang=en |title=Oficjalna lista sprzedaży |publisher=[[OLiS]] |date=24 September 2012 |accessdate=21 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113133627/http://olis.onyx.pl/listy/index.asp?idlisty=765&lang=en |archive-date=13 November 2013 |dead-url=no |df=dmy-all }}</ref> | 38 |} ;Notes {{Reflist|group=n|liststyle=none}} ==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=The Clash|title=London Calling|award=Gold|type=album|date=1 July 1980|relyear=1980}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=The Clash|title=London Calling|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=1979|accessdate=9 March 2014|autocat=true}} {{certification Table Entry|title=London Calling|type=album|artist=Leonard Cohen|relyear=1980|region=France|award=Gold|salesamount=216,100|salesref=<ref name=FRGD>{{Cite web |url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Ventes_Albums_Tout_Temps.php?debut=1900 |title=Archived copy |access-date=19 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115001827/http://www.infodisc.fr/Ventes_Albums_Tout_Temps.php?debut=1900 |archive-date=15 January 2018 |dead-url=bot: unknown |df=dmy-all }}</ref>}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=The Clash|title=London Calling|award=Platinum|type=album|salesamount=457,788|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-the-maccabees-s-marks-to-prove-it-takes-no-1-albums-slot/062530 |title=Official Charts Analysis: The Maccabees's Marks To Prove It takes No.1 albums slot |work=[[Music Week]] |date=7 August 2015}}{{dead link|date=September 2016}}</ref>|date=31 December 1979}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=The Clash|title=London Calling|award=Platinum|type=album|date=14 February 1996}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nounspecified=true}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} == Bibliography == {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last=Gilbert |first=Pat |title=Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash |origyear=2004 |edition=4th |year=2005 |publisher=[[Aurum Press]] |location=London |isbn=1-84513-113-4 |oclc=61177239 |pages=212–213, 235–237, 259–260 }} * {{Cite book |last=Green |first=Johnny |author2=Garry Barker |title=A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with The Clash |origyear=1997 |edition=3rd |year=2003 |publisher=Orion |location=London |isbn=0-7528-5843-2 |oclc=52990890 |pages=156–158, 161–162, 165, 194–196, 218–219 }} {{refend}} ==Further reading== {{Refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last=Clash |first=The |title=The Clash: Strummer, Jones, Simonon, Headon |year= 2008 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=London |isbn=1-84354-788-0 |oclc=236120343 |ref=_note-The Clash-Strummer_Jones_Simonon_Headon }} * {{Cite book |last=Gray |first=Marcus |title=The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town |origyear=1995 |edition=5th revised |year=2005 |publisher=Helter Skelter |location=London |isbn=1-905139-10-1 |oclc=60668626 }} * {{Cite book |last=Gray |first=Marcus |title=Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling |origyear= |edition= |year=2010 |publisher=Soft Skull Press |location= |isbn=978-1-59376-293-3 |oclc= }} * {{Cite video |people=[[Don Letts|Letts, Don]]; [[Joe Strummer]], [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]], [[Paul Simonon]], [[Topper Headon]], [[Terry Chimes]], Rick Elgood, [[The Clash]] |year=2001 |title=The Clash, [[Westway to the World]] |medium=Documentary |publisher=[[Sony Music Entertainment]]; Dorismo; Uptown Films |location=New York, NY |time=49:30–55:00 |isbn=0-7389-0082-6 |oclc=49798077 }} * {{Cite book |last=Lowry |first=Ray |authorlink=Ray Lowry |title=The Clash |year=2007 |publisher=Angry Penguin |location=Warwick |isbn=1-906283-36-2 |oclc=165412921 }} * {{Cite book |last=Miles |first=Barry |authorlink=Barry Miles |title=The Clash |year=1981 |publisher=Omnibus Press |location=London and New York |oclc=7676911 |ref=_note-Miles-The_Clash |isbn=0-7119-0288-7 }} * {{Cite book |last=Needs |first=Kris |authorlink=Kris Needs |title=Joe Strummer and the Legend of the Clash |date=25 January 2005 |publisher=Plexus |location=London |isbn=0-85965-348-X |oclc=53155325 }} * {{Cite book |last=Quantick |first=David |authorlink=David Quantick |title=The Clash |series=Kill Your Idols |year=2000 |publisher=Unanimous |location=London |isbn=1-903318-03-3 |oclc=59417418 }} * {{Cite book |author1=Tobler, John |author2=Barry Miles |lastauthoramp=yes |title=The Clash |year=1983 |publisher=Omnibus |location=London and New York|isbn=0-7119-0288-7 |oclc=21335564 }} * {{Cite book |last=Topping |first=Keith |authorlink=Keith Topping |title=The Complete Clash |origyear=2003 |edition=2nd |year=2004 |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn |location=Richmond |isbn=1-903111-70-6 |oclc=63129186 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120901182906/http://mixonline.com/mag/audio_london_calling_clash/ "London Calling" By The Clash] Mix Magazine, 2000 – Very detailed article with recording setup details from the album's engineer, Bill Price. {{Refend}} ==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.theclash.com/gb/music/albums/london-calling}} * {{Discogs master|type=album|19382}} {{The Clash}} {{RollingStoneAlbum}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}} [[Category:1979 albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Guy Stevens]] [[Category:CBS Records albums]] [[Category:Columbia Records albums]] [[Category:Epic Records albums]] [[Category:Legacy Recordings albums]] [[Category:The Clash albums]]'