London Calling

The Clash · 1979

Saved in this browser. to keep it on every device.

What it is

A double album the Clash sold for the price of one, recorded in London with the producer Guy Stevens. Punk widens into reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, jazz and pop, with songs about nuclear fear, unemployment, drugs and the Spanish Civil War, from the title track to "Train in Vain".

Why it matters

The album that proved punk could grow without losing its anger. Its range of styles and political songwriting made the Clash the most important band of the punk era, and its cover, with Paul Simonon smashing his bass, became one of rock's defining images.

Listening to it

Length: 1 hr 5 min.

Your notes

Saved in this browser. to keep them on every device.

Connects to earlier albums1

Built on
Elvis Presley · Elvis Presley · 1956
The cover of London Calling is a homage to Elvis Presley, with its pink letters down the left side and green across the bottom.
Wikipedia, "London Calling"

Connects to later albums2

Built on it
High Land, Hard Rain · Aztec Camera · 1983
"Pillar to Post", from High Land, Hard Rain, set out to emulate the Clash, the band of London Calling.
Wikipedia, "High Land, Hard Rain"
Producer or player
Plastic Beach · Gorillaz · 2010
Plastic Beach features Mick Jones of the Clash, whose London Calling came before it.
Wikipedia, "Plastic Beach" (personnel)

Something wrong or missing here?