The Clash – London Calling turns 40: Their 20 best songs
The IndependentSign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. London Calling demonstrated that The Clash had evolved into a great rock band, one that also took rewarding excursions into reggae, rockabilly, ska and what can only be described as roots-based punk’n’roll. The Guns of Brixton, 1979 The Clash loved reggae and were keen to incorporate elements into their songs from the word go, covering Junior Murvin’s “Police and Thieves” on their first album. London Calling, 1979 “I wanted it to sound like it was coming through fog over the Thames,” said Joe Strummer of the anthemic title track from The Clash’s seminal third album. Fear of the Thames flooding London fuelled Strummer’s lyrics, detailing a world hurtling towards the apocalypse, but “London Calling” also reflects on the group’s internal struggles and the end of the punk rock era that The Clash embodied as they evolved into a great rock ’n’ roll band.
History of this topic
'London Calling' At 40: Greil Marcus Revisits His Original Review
NPRDiscover Related
