The Story Behind “London Calling” by The Clash

“London Calling” is a song by the British punk rock band The Clash, released in 1979 as the title track of their album London Calling. The song blends various musical styles, including punk, reggae, and rockabilly, while its lyrics tackle the social and political issues of the time. It has since become one of the band’s most iconic and enduring songs, embodying their rebellious and confrontational ethos.

Did You Know?

• “London Calling” was released in 1979 as the title track of The Clash’s highly acclaimed album.
• The song’s lyrics touch on themes such as the threat of nuclear war, consumerism, and social unrest in late-1970s Britain.
• Widely regarded as one of the greatest punk rock songs of all time, “London Calling” fuses punk, reggae, and rockabilly influences.

🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤 

Lyrics

London calling to the faraway towns
Now war is declared, and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls
London calling, now don’t look to us
Phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see we ain’t got no swing
Except for the ring of that truncheon thing

The ice age is coming, the sun’s zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
‘Cause London is drowning, and I live by the river

London calling to the imitation zone
Forget it brother, you can go it alone
London calling to the zombies of death
Quit holding out, and draw another breath
London calling, and I don’t wanna shout
But while we were talking, I saw you nodding out
London calling, see we ain’t got no high
Except for that one with the yellowy eyes

The ice age is coming, the sun’s zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
‘Cause London is drowning, and I live by the river

The ice age is coming, the sun’s zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
‘Cause London is drowning, and I live by the river

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Now get this…
London calling, yes, I was there too
And you know what they said? Well, some of it was true!
London calling at the top of the dial
And after all this, won’t you give me a smile?
London calling…

I never felt so much alike alike alike alike…