In episode #23 of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez discuss London Calling by The Clash and award their gold, silver and bronze medals accordingly.
Medal Winners
Lost In The Supermarket (Listen Here)
Spanish Bombs (Listen Here)
The Right Profile (Listen Here)
Rudie Can’t Fail (Listen Here)
Clampdown (Listen Here)
Train In Vain (Listen Here)
Bonus Tracks
Vanilla Tapes – The Clash (Listen Here)
London Calling – The Clash (Listen Here)
Guns Of Brixton – The Clash (Listen Here)
Clampdown – Bruce Springsteen (Listen Here)
The Clash – Live on Fridays 1980 (Listen Here)
London Calling by The Clash was released in the U.S. in January 1980, marking a turning point not just for the band but for late-1970s rock. Expanding far beyond their early punk sound, the double album blends reggae, ska, rockabilly, R&B, and pop into a politically charged yet musically adventurous statement that captured the turbulence of the era—economic decline, nuclear anxiety, and social unrest—while still delivering sharp songwriting and energy.
The album is considered the most “musical” punk album and its most ambitious.
The core lineup featured Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar + lyrics), Mick Jones (lead guitar, vocals + music), Paul Simonon (bass), and Topper Headon (drums). The album was produced by Guy Stevens with mostly just 1 or 2 takes for each song.
While the album only reached #27 on the U.S. Billboard 200, its reputation grew steadily, and it is now widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. The lone single released from the album in the U.S. was “Train in Vain.” The song was added at the last minute and unlisted on early pressings, reaching #23 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Critically, London Calling has been celebrated for its ambition and range, often cited alongside landmark albums in rock history for its fusion of genres and its ability to translate political urgency into compelling music.
Its iconic cover—featuring Simonon smashing his bass, photographed by Pennie Smith—echoes the design of Elvis Presley’s debut album, visually linking past and present while signaling a reinvention of rock tradition.
Original album title: The Last Testament
For more information: Route 19 Revisited: The Clash and London Calling by Marcus Gray
Track Listing
Side 1
London Calling
Brand New Cadillac
Jimmy Jazz
Hateful
Rudie Can’t Fail
Side 2
Spanish Bombs
The Right Profile
Clampdown
The Guns of Brixton
Side 3
Wrong ‘Em Boyo
Death Or Glory
Koka Kola
The Card Cheat
Side 4
Lover’s Rock
Four Horsemen
I’m Not Down
Revolution Rock
Train In Vain
#TheClash #LondonCalling #PunkRock #ClassicAlbums #MusicHistory #JoeStrummer #MickJones #PaulSimonon #TopperHeadon
Another engrossing episode.
This one make for some really tough choices. It’s a case of maybe 90% of the songs being medal-worthy, which is rare for a double LP.
I have to give some honorable mentions (hope that’s OK)…
– “Brand New Cadillac” may be my favorite *listen* on the album—not the best song necessarily, but it’s just so intensely exhilarating to listen to. I know it’s a cover, but, for me, it is to the Clash what “Twist and Shout” is to the Beatles.
– “The Card Cheat” may be the most human, empathetic punk song ever.
– And the title song is just so darn good, it pains me not to give it a medal.
That said…
Bronze: “Hateful” – pure knockdown, drag out rock, which we all need a little of sometimes.
Silver: “Clampdown” – The Clash doing what they did best. And yes, Bruce is doing a great version of it live on his current tour (I saw him with my son at the United Center a couple of weeks ago), along with, it should be mentioned, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine.
Gold: “Death or Glory” – a powerful embodiment of what the Clash was all about.
Like Robert, I give the album 5 stars. I think there are some better Clash songs/performances scattered across Give ‘Em Enough Rope and Sandinista, but London Calling is the group’s finest LP(x2)-length statement–its best-realized, most perfectly formed whole. (A properly edited, 2-LP version of Sandinista might have claimed that title, but they opted for a 3-LP set that could’ve used some pruning, IMHO.)
Keep ’em coming!
Jon-
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! You obviously go deep and we appreciate it. Any suggestions for upcoming episodes and what albums we should dive into?