By January 1977, punk had become a major media phenomenon in the UK. On 25 … Read Full Bio ↴By January 1977, punk had become a major media phenomenon in the UK. On 25 January 1977, The Clash signed to CBS Records for £100,000, a remarkable amount for a band that had played a total of about thirty gigs and almost none as a headliner. As Clash historian Marcus Gray describes, the "band members found themselves having to justify to both the music press and to fans who picked up on the critics' muttered asides about The Clash having 'sold out' to the establishment."Mark Perry, founder of the leading London punk periodical, Sniffin' Glue, let loose with what he would later call his "big quote": "Punk died the day The Clash signed to CBS."
Mickey Foote, who worked as a technician at their concerts, was hired to produce The Clash's debut album, and Terry Chimes was drafted on drums for the recording. The band's first single, "White Riot", was released in March; the album, The Clash, came out the following month. Filled with fiery punk tracks, it also presaged the many eclectic turns the band would take with its cover of the reggae song "Police and Thieves". Though both the single and album charted well in the UK—"White Riot" reached number 34, The Clash number 12—CBS refused to release either in the United States, saying that the sound was not “radio friendly”.A US version of the album (this version) with a modified track listing was released in 1979, after the UK original became the best-selling import album of all time in the United States.
Mickey Foote, who worked as a technician at their concerts, was hired to produce The Clash's debut album, and Terry Chimes was drafted on drums for the recording. The band's first single, "White Riot", was released in March; the album, The Clash, came out the following month. Filled with fiery punk tracks, it also presaged the many eclectic turns the band would take with its cover of the reggae song "Police and Thieves". Though both the single and album charted well in the UK—"White Riot" reached number 34, The Clash number 12—CBS refused to release either in the United States, saying that the sound was not “radio friendly”.A US version of the album (this version) with a modified track listing was released in 1979, after the UK original became the best-selling import album of all time in the United States.
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The Clash
The Clash Lyrics
48 Hours Friday or Saturday, what does that mean? Short space of time…
Career Opportunities They offered me the office, offered me the shop They said…
Cheat I get violent when I'm fucked up I get silent when…
Deny Deny You're such a liar You won't know the truth if it…
Garageland Back in the garage with my bullshit detector Carbon monoxide…
Hate & War Hate and war The only things we got today An' if I…
I'm So Bored with the U.S.A. Yankee soldier He want to shoot some skag He met it in…
Janie Jones He's in love with rock'n'roll, whoa He's in love with gettin…
London's Burning London's burning London's burning All across the town, all …
Police & Thieves We're going through a tight wind Police and thieves in the…
Protex Blue Standing in the bog of a west end bar Guy on…
Remote Control Who needs remote control? From the Civic Hall Push a button …
What's My Name What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not who I…
White Riot (One, two, three, four) White riot, I want to riot White ri…