Writing and recording
The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. The title alludes to the BBC World Service's station identification: "This is London calling ...", that was used during World War II, often in broadcasts to occupied countries.
The lyrics reflect the concern felt by Strummer about world events with the reference to "a nuclear error" to the incident at Three Mile Island, which occurred earlier in 1979. Joe Strummer has said: "We felt that we were struggling about to slip down a slope or something, grasping with our fingernails. And there was no one there to help us."
The line "London is drowning / And I live by the river" comes from concerns that if the River Thames flooded, most of central London would drown, something that led to the construction of the Thames Barrier. Strummer's concern for social violence is evident through the lines "we ain't got no swing/ except for the ring of that truncheon thing". This is perhaps a reference to the London riots at the time. Social criticism also features through references to the effects of casual drug taking: "we ain't got no high / except for that one with the yellowy eyes".
The lyrics also reflect desperation of the band's situation in 1979 struggling with high debt, without management and arguing with their record label over whether the London Calling album should be a single or double album. The lines referring to "now don't look to us / All that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust" reflects the concerns of the band over its situation after the punk rock boom in England in 1977 had ended. While many took the line as a slam against the Beatles, another interpretation, offered at the time the song was released, suggested that this line referred not to the Beatles, but to the Broadway production, Beatlemania, which advertised itself as "Not the Beatles, But an Incredible Simulation." Hence, the line castigated late 1970s culture for its lack of substance, such as consuming "phoney Beatlemania," essentially a simulated, rather than actual, experience.
Musically, the song is far removed from their earlier style of frenzied punk rock I-IV-V-I chord progressions, as best exemplified on songs like "Career Opportunities" and "I'm So Bored with the USA". The song is in a minor key — something The Clash had rarely used before — and the inherent dirge-like, apocalyptic feel is intensified by Topper Headon's martial drumming without backbeat, in synchrony with staccato guitar chords; Paul Simonon's haunting and pulsating bass line; the group's deliberate, mid-tempo pace; and Strummer's icy lyrics and baleful delivery. Strummer's wolf-like howls or perhaps Rooster-like crows, during the instrumental break, further fuel the atmosphere of desolation and paranoia implied throughout the song.[original research?] Like many of the tracks on London Calling — including "The Card Cheat", "Revolution Rock", and "Jimmy Jazz" — the song doesn't end by resolving strongly to the tonic or fading out, as most rock and roll songs do. Instead, it breaks down eerily, with Joe Strummer's cryptic last words "I never felt so much a-like..." echoing over Pete Townshend-inspired Morse code feedback (the characters spelling out S-O-S).
"London Calling" was recorded at Wessex Studios located in a former church in Highbury in North London. This studio had already proved to be a popular location with The Sex Pistols, The Pretenders and the Tom Robinson band. The single was produced by Guy Stevens and engineered by Bill Price.
London Calling
The Clash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see we ain't got no swing
Except for the ring of the 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
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 want to 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 eye
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear era, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning
I, 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 era, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning
I, I live by the river
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
The Clash's "London Calling" is an iconic punk rock song that was inspired by a number of world events that were taking place in 1979. The lyrics are a reflection of the social and political climate of the time, with references to the looming nuclear threat, the economic recession, and the decline of rock music.
The song begins with the famous opening line "London calling to the faraway towns, now war is declared and battle come down". This line is a call to arms for people around the world to unite against the oppressive forces that were threatening to destroy society. The line "Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust" is a nod to the decline of the rock music scene, which was evolving into a more commercial and formulaic sound.
The second verse of the song speaks to the impending doom of an ice age and a nuclear era, with the repetition of the line "the sun's zooming in" creating a sense of urgency and fear. Yet, even in the face of this destruction, the singer proclaims "I have no fear, 'cause London is drowning, I live by the river". This creates an image of the singer finding solace in the midst of chaos and destruction, accepting their fate but not going down without a fight.
Overall, "London Calling" is a powerful anthem that speaks to the spirit of rebellion and dissent that defined the punk rock movement. It was a groundbreaking track that inspired countless other artists and continues to be relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
London calling to the faraway towns
London is announcing its call to all the towns far and wide, as war is declared and the battle ensues.
Now war is declared and battle come down
The commencement of war with impending battles is evident as London issues its call.
London calling to the underworld
London is urging people from the underworld to step out of their hiding places.
Come out of the cupboard, you boys and girls
London is asking people to come out of hiding and not be afraid anymore.
London calling, now don't look to us
London is stating that it's not going to guide people anymore as false Beatlemania has lost its craze.
Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust
Beatles fanatics have become non-existent since their fame has faded away.
London calling, see we ain't got no swing
London admits that there is no rhythm or dance for the people.
Except for the ring of the truncheon thing
The only sound or music that's audible is of police using the truncheon stick to maintain order.
The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
The world is about to witness terrible changes, as the ice age approaches and the sun appears nearer.
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
With high levels of radiation being detected, the wheat crop is dwindling in production.
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
Despite the engines stopping and the situation getting worse, there is no fear shown by the citizens.
'Cause London is drowning
I live by the river
London, the city of dreams, is now drowning and the singer declares that he lives near the drowning river.
London calling to the imitation zone
London is calling out to people who copy and fake their identity.
Forget it, brother, you can go it alone
The singer asks a brother to forget his fake identity and be genuine as they can survive independently.
London calling to the zombies of death
London is calling out to the people who have lost all hope and energy in life, the walking dead.
Quit holding out and draw another breath
The singer asks people to stop fighting and breathe another breath of life.
London calling and I don't want to shout
London doesn't want to shout but needs to make people aware of the unfortunate circumstances.
But while we were talking, I saw you nodding out
The singer noticed people losing consciousness while talking about the disastrous situations happening around them.
London calling, see we ain't got no high
London admits that people have no high or excitement left in them since the situation's too grim.
Except for that one with the yellowy eye
The only person with enthusiasm is the one with the yellow eye, suggesting he's the leader or the only hope.
London calling, yes, I was there, too
And you know what they said? Well, some of it was true
The singer admits to being in London when the calamity broke out and confirms some of the rumors to be true.
London calling at the top of the dial
London calls out loudly, reaching out to people even at the highest dial frequency.
And after all this, won't you give me a smile?
After everything that they've been through, the singer requests people to smile, indicating hope and a better future.
(London calling)
I never felt so much alike, alike, alike, alike
The singer declares that he has never felt more the same or one with the people, indicating their shared struggle.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@naomiburn5289
Will never stop loving the Clash for the electric blend of mod, punk, and rock.
@djsimonrossprice9400
Loved they're gusie as Big Audio Dynamite E=mc2 what a track...
@doloresgray3668
@@JustJeph33WOW! You spoke to my heart❣️ Thank you!!! 😊
@doloresgray3668
@@djsimonrossprice9400I guess I have to agree with you on all that is special! Thank You ☺️
@JustJeph33
@@doloresgray3668 thank you, dolores. Still got their (faded) bumper sticker on my van.. so people will know what they're dealing with! 😎
@chiefbigskydrinkfirewater5308
Some music is just soooo...British, and awesome! I listened to this a lot 40 years ago while in high school. And in one of my favorite cars of all time, a 1980 Triumph Spitfire that was almost new. Wish I still had it, selling it was a mistake...
@chrisevans4123
The song that as a poetic anachy and chaos echoing through it, doom and anarchy are the new king and Queen.......
@TinaDixon-g6p
WHO'S THAT THEN
@miracleofsound
One of the greatest songs of all time. Sounds like the end of the world
@giandomenicorodino1776
sono d'accordo