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London Calling

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This article is about the album. For the song, see London Calling (song).
Untitled

London Calling is the third album by English rock band The Clash, released December 14 1979 on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 on Epic Records in the United States. The album represented a change in The Clash's musical style, and featured elements of ska, pop, soul, and reggae music.[1] The album's subject matter included unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood.[2]

The album received positive reviews and was ranked at number eight on Rolling Stone' list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003.[3] London Calling was a top ten album in the band's native England, and its lead single "London Calling" was a top twenty single.[4] It has sold over two million copies worldwide,[3] and was certified platinum in the United States.[5]

Recording and production

After recording their 1978 album Give 'Em Enough Rope in the United States, the band separated from their manager Bernard Rhodes.[6] This separation meant that the band had to leave their rehearsal studio in Camden Town and find another location to compose their music. Drawing inspiration from rockabilly, ska, reggae and jazz,[2] the band began work on the album during the summer of 1979. Tour manager Johnny Green had found the band a new place to rehearse called Vanilla Studios in Pimlico, which was located in the back of a garage.[7][8] The band quickly wrote and recorded demos, with Jones composing and arranging much of the music and Strummer supplying the lyrics.[2]

In August 1979, the band entered Wessex Studios to begin recording London Calling. The Clash asked Guy Stevens to produce the album, much to the dismay of CBS Records.[9] Stevens had alcohol and drug problems and his production methods were unconventional.[2] While recording he would often swing ladders and throw chairs around the band to create an emotional atmosphere.[2] The entire album was recorded within a matter of weeks, with many songs recorded in one or two takes.[2]

Artwork

File:Elvispresleydebutalbum.jpeg
The pink and green typography of Elvis Presley's debut album inspired the design of London Calling.

The album's cover features a photograph of Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on September 21 1979 during the "Clash Take the Fifth" US tour.[10][11] 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.[11] 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".[12]

The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was inspired by the design of Elvis Presley's debut album.[13][14] The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by Q magazine in 2001.[15]

Release

London Calling was released as a double album and was sold for the price of a single album. Their record label, CBS, 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 rpm. Instead of releasing a free single, the 12-inch record became a second nine-track LP.[8]

London Calling sold approximately two million copies.[3] The album peaked at number nine in the United Kingdom and was certified gold in December 1979.[4][16] The album performed strongly outside the United Kingdom. It reached number two in Sweden and number four in Norway.[17][18] In the United States, London Calling peaked at number twenty-seven on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and was certified platinum in February 1996.[19][5]

In 2000, along with the rest of the band's catalogue, London Calling was remastered and reissued in compact disc format in the United States by Epic Records. Four years later the album was released as a Legacy Edition, which had a bonus CD and DVD. The bonus CD features the The Vanilla Tapes, missing recordings made by the band during the summer of 1979.[20] 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.

London Calling produced two of the band's most successful singles. "London Calling" preceded the album with an December 7 1979 release. It reached number eleven on the UK singles chart.[4] 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.[21] In the U.S., "Train in Vain" backed by "London Calling" was released as a single in February 1980. It reached number twenty-three on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and number thirty on the Billboard Club Play chart.[22]

Songs

Template:Sample box start variation 2 Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end "London Calling", the album's opening track, was partially influenced by the March 1979 meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Strummer's lyrics also discuss the problems of rising unemployment, racial conflict and drug use in Britain.[23] The second track, "Brand New Cadillac", was originally recorded by Vince Taylor. The band cite the song as "one of the first British rock'n'roll records" and had initially used it as a warm up song before recording.[24][25] "Rudie Can't Fail", the album's fifth song, features a horn section and mixes elements of pop, soul and reggae music together. Its lyrics chronicle the life of a fun-loving young man who is criticised for his inability to act like a responsible adult.[1]

"Spanish Bombs" was influenced by terrorist bombings in Spain and Ireland.[26] It received positive reviews from critics, with one reviewer stating that its "combination of thoughtful lyrics and an energetic performance" made it a "highlight of London Calling".[27] The album's eighth track, "Lost in the Supermarket", was written by Strummer who imaged Jones' childhood growing up in a basement with his mother and grandmother.[28] "The Clampdown" began as a instrumental track called "Working and Waiting".[26] Its lyrics comment on people who forsake the idealism of youth and urges young people to fight the status quo.[29] The tenth track, "The Guns of Brixton" was the first song composed by Simonon. He was originally doubtful about the song's lyrics which discuss an individual's paranoid outlook on life, but was encouraged to continue working on it by Strummer.[26]

The album's twelfth track, "Death or Glory", features Strummer looking back at his life, acknowledging the complications and responsibilities of adulthood.[30] While working on "The Card Cheat", the band recorded everything twice to create a "sound as big as possible".[31] "Revolution Rock", a reggae song, received mixed reviews from critics, and Strummer and Jones were criticized by NME for their inability to compose credible love songs.[32] The final track, "Train in Vain", was originally not included on the album's back cover.[33] The song was initially going to be given away for free through a promotion with NME, but when the deal fell through it was added to the album at the last minute.[34]

Reception and influence

The album received positive reviews from critics. Tom Carson of Rolling Stone said it "celebrates the romance of rock & roll rebellion in grand, epic terms"[35] and ranked London Calling number eight on its 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.[3] Stephen Erlewine of All Music Guide wrote that London Calling was "invigorating, rocking harder and with more purpose than most albums, let alone double albums" and called it "one of the greatest rock & roll albums ever recorded".[36]

Pitchfork Media reviewer Amanda Petrusich named "London Calling" the album's best song and wrote that "The Clash do not let go; each track builds on the last, pummeling and laughing and slapping us into dumb submission".[37] The website ranked the album at number two on its list of the Top 100 Albums of the 70s in 2004.[38] Robert Christgau described London Calling as "warm, angry, and thoughtful, confident, melodic, and hard-rocking" and called it "the best double-LP since Exile on Main Street".[39] In 2004, Sal Ciolfi of PopMatters called the album a "big, loud, beautiful collection of hurt, anger, restless thought, and above all hope" and wrote that "if released tomorrow would still seem relevant and vibrant".[40] In 2007, London Calling was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a collection of recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance.[41]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, except where noted.

Side one

  1. "London Calling" – 3:19
  2. "Brand New Cadillac" (Vince Taylor) – 2:09
  3. "Jimmy Jazz" – 3:51
  4. "Hateful" – 2:47
  5. "Rudie Can't Fail" – 3:26

Tracks 1–4 are sung by Strummer. Track 5 is sung by Strummer and Jones.

Side two

  1. "Spanish Bombs" – 3:18
  2. "The Right Profile" – 4:00
  3. "Lost in the Supermarket" – 3:47
  4. "Clampdown" – 3:50
  5. "The Guns of Brixton" (Paul Simonon) – 3:07

Tracks 2 and 4 are sung by Strummer. Track 3 is sung by Jones. Track 5 is sung by Paul Simonon. Track 1 is sung by Strummer and Jones.

Side three

  1. "Wrong 'Em Boyo" (Clive Alphonso) – 3:10
  2. "Death or Glory" – 3:55
  3. "Koka Kola" – 1:45
  4. "The Card Cheat" (Jones, Strummer, Simonon, Topper Headon) – 3:51

Tracks 1–3 are sung by Strummer. Track 4 is sung by Jones.

Side four

  1. "Lover's Rock" – 4:01
  2. "Four Horsemen" – 3:00
  3. "I'm Not Down" – 3:00
  4. "Revolution Rock" (Jackie Edwards, Danny Ray) – 5:37
  5. "Train in Vain" – 3:11

Tracks 2 and 4 are sung by Strummer. Tracks 3 and 5 are sung by Jones. Track 1 is sung by Strummer and Jones.

25th Anniversary Edition bonus disc

The 25th Anniversary Edition of the album contains The Vanilla Tapes as a bonus disc.

  1. "Hateful" – 3:23
  2. "Rudie Can't Fail" – 3:08
  3. "Paul's Tune" (Simonon) – 2:32
  4. "I'm Not Down" – 3:34
  5. "4 Horsemen" – 2:45
  6. "Koka Kola, Advertising & Cocaine" – 1:57
  7. "Death or Glory" – 3:47
  8. "Lover's Rock" – 3:45
  9. "Lonesome Me" (Jones, Strummer, Simonon, Headon) – 2:09
  10. "The Police Walked in 4 Jazz" – 2:19
  11. "Lost in the Supermarket" – 3:52
  12. "Up-Toon (Inst.)" – 1:57
  13. "Walking The Sidewalk" (Jones, Strummer, Simonon, Headon) – 2:34
  14. "Where You Gonna Go (Soweto)" (Jones, Strummer, Simonon, Headon) – 4:05
  15. "The Man in Me" (Bob Dylan) – 3:57
  16. "Remote Control" – 2:39
  17. "Working and Waiting" – 4:11
  18. "Heart & Mind" (Jones, Strummer, Simonon, Headon) – 4:27
  19. "Brand New Cadillac" (Taylor) – 2:08
  20. "London Calling" – 4:26
  21. "Revolution Rock" (Edwards, Ray) – 3:51

DVD

  1. The Last Testament - The Making of London Calling
  2. "London Calling" music video
  3. "Train in Vain" music video
  4. "Clampdown" music video
  5. Home video footage of The Clash recording in Wessex Studios

Personnel

The following people contributed to London Calling:[42]

Charts

Chart (1979) Peak
position
Swedish Albums Chart[17] 2
UK Albums Chart[4] 9
Chart (1980) Peak
position
Austrian Albums Chart[43] 17
Norwegian Albums Chart[18] 4
U.S. Billboard Pop Albums[19] 27
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Norwegian Albums Chart[18] 17
Swedish Albums Chart[17] 45
Swiss Albums Chart[44] 72
UK Albums Chart[4] 26

Notes

  1. ^ a b Guarisco, Donald A. "Rudie Can't Fail Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Sinclair, Tom. "The Best Album of All Time". Entertainment Weekly. September 24 2004. Retrieved February 20 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d "The RS 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: London Calling". Rolling Stone. November 1 2003. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  4. ^ a b c d e "UK Chart Archive". everyHit.co.uk. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  5. ^ a b "RIAA Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  6. ^ Gilbert, Pat (2005). Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81434-X. Pg. 212-213.
  7. ^ Green 2003, p.156.
  8. ^ a b Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". Uncut. October 2004. Pg. 58.
  9. ^ Gilbert, Pat (2005). Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81434-X. Pg. 235.
  10. ^ Green 2003, pp.195–196.
  11. ^ a b Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". Uncut. October 2004. Pg. 70.
  12. ^ Judd, Terri. "One hundred timeless rock'n'roll moments, and the photographers who...". The Independent. January 24 2002. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  13. ^ Green 2003, p.194.
  14. ^ Tryangiel, Josh. "The All-TIME 100 Albums: London Calling". Time. November 13 2006. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  15. ^ O'Connor, Mickey. "London's Q magazine picked these; what are yours?". Entertainment Weekly. March 14 2001. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  16. ^ "British gold certification for London Calling. British Phonographic Industry. December 31 1979. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  17. ^ a b c "Discography The Clash". SwedishCharts.com. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  18. ^ a b c "Discography The Clash". NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  19. ^ a b "The Clash > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". All Music Guide. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  20. ^ Gilbert, Pat. "The 'Vanilla Tapes'". London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition (CD liner notes). September 2004.
  21. ^ Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". Uncut. October 2004. Pg. 69.
  22. ^ "The Clash > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". All Music Guide. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  23. ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: The Clash London Calling". Rolling Stone. December 9 2004. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  24. ^ Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". Uncut. October 2004. Pg. 65.
  25. ^ Gilbert, Pat (2005). Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81434-X. Pg. 237.
  26. ^ a b c Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". Uncut. October 2004. Pg. 67.
  27. ^ Guarisco, Donald A. "Spanish Bombs Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  28. ^ London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition. "The Last Testament - The Making of London Calling". Information about the recording of London Calling. Accessed February 18 2008.
  29. ^ Guarisco, Donald A. "Clampdown Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  30. ^ Gilbert, Pat (2005). Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81434-X. Pg. 259.
  31. ^ Sweeting, Adam. "Death or Glory". Uncut. October 2004. Pg. 68.
  32. ^ Gilbert, Pat (2005). Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81434-X. Pg. 260.
  33. ^ Green 2003, p.218.
  34. ^ Back, Johnny. "The Greatest Songs Ever! "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)"". Blender. April/May 2002. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  35. ^ Carson, Tom. "London Calling: The Clash: Review". Rolling Stone. January 22 1997. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  36. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "London Calling > Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  37. ^ Petrusich, Amanda. "The Clash London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  38. ^ "Pitchforkmedia's Top 100 Albums of the 70's". RateYourMusic.com. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  39. ^ Christgau, Robert. "The Clash Consumer Guide Reviews". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  40. ^ Ciolfi, Sal. "The Clash: London Calling - PopMatters Music Review". PopMatters. March 10 2004. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  41. ^ "Grammy Hall of Fame Award". Grammy.com. Retrieved February 18 2008.
  42. ^ London Calling: 25th Anniversary Legacy Edition (CD liner notes). Epic Records. September 2004.
  43. ^ "Discographie The Clash". AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved February 17 2008.
  44. ^ "Discography The Clash". SwissCharts.com. Retrieved February 17 2008.

Further reading

  • Gilbert, Pat (2005) [2004]. Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash (4th edition ed.). London: Aurum Press. pp. pp.212–213, 235–237, 259–260. ISBN 1845131134. OCLC 61177239. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |edition= has extra text (help); |pages= has extra text (help)
  • Gray, Marcus (2005) [1995]. The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town (5th revised edition ed.). London: Helter Skelter. ISBN 1905139101. OCLC 60668626. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |edition= has extra text (help)
  • Green, Johnny (2003) [1997]. A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with The Clash (3rd edition ed.). London: Orion. pp. pp.156-158, 161–162, 165, 194–196, 218–219. ISBN 0752858432. OCLC 52990890. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |edition= has extra text (help); |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Gruen, Bob (2004) [2001]. The Clash (3rd edition ed.). London: Omnibus. ISBN 1903399343. OCLC 69241279. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |edition= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  • Letts Don; Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Terry Chimes, Rick Elgood, The Clash. The Clash, Westway to the World (Documentary). New York, NY: Sony Music Entertainment; Dorismo; Uptown Films. Event occurs at 49:30–55:00. ISBN 0738900826. OCLC 49798077. {{cite AV media}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |year2= ignored (help)
  • Needs, Kris (2005-01-25). Joe Strummer and the Legend of the Clash. London: Plexus. ISBN 085965348X. OCLC 53155325. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  • Topping, Keith (2004) [2003]. The Complete Clash (2nd edition ed.). Richmond: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 1903111706. OCLC 63129186. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |edition= has extra text (help)


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