London Calling” is a double album by The Clash, released in 1979. With this record, the band firmly established itself in the United States. The album contains 19 tracks, mostly credited to Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, except for The Guns of Brixton by Paul Simonon, Brand New Cadillac by Vince Taylor, and Revolution Rock by Jack Edwards and Danny Ray.
The record stands out for its remarkable compositional complexity and eclectic mix of genres: although there are no songs that can be labeled as pure punk, the album features ska tracks like Wrong ’Em Boyo alongside pop songs like Lost in the Supermarket. It also ventures into reggae, rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and even jazz.
London Calling appears at number 8 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and is often regarded by Rolling Stone as the best album of the 1980s—despite having been released in December 1979.
With over two million copies sold worldwide, the album has been certified platinum in both the UK and the United States, earning The Clash global fame. Work on the album began after the US tour following the release of Give ’Em Enough Rope. After breaking ties with Bernie Rhodes and losing their studio as a result, The Clash started rehearsing at “Vanilla,” a rehearsal space in London. There, in an atmosphere that was both playful and intense, they began writing and shaping the first new songs.”
Guitar technique on London Calling
The guitar work on London Calling is a perfect example of The Clash’s musical versatility and their departure from the raw, straightforward punk of their early days. Mick Jones, the band’s lead guitarist, crafted parts that blend energy with melodic invention, drawing on a wide range of styles.
Chord Work:
The album features plenty of classic punk-style power chords, but they’re often combined with open chords, reggae upstrokes, and syncopated strumming. For example, in Rudie Can’t Fail and Revolution Rock, the guitar parts lean heavily on reggae and ska rhythms, with offbeat accents and clean, percussive chops.
Lead Lines:
Jones’s lead guitar playing mixes simple, catchy riffs with rockabilly licks, bluesy bends, and tasteful fills. Songs like Brand New Cadillac show clear rockabilly influences — sharp, twangy leads and fast rhythmic picking. Meanwhile, tracks like London Calling itself use ringing single-note lines that drive the song without overshadowing the vocals.
Effects & Tone:
Jones’s tone is relatively clean for punk rock, which helps highlight the stylistic diversity. He used classic amps like Fender and Vox, and effects were minimal but effective — occasional echo or slapback delay for rockabilly moments, light overdrive for grit, and sometimes chorus or phaser to add texture (Lost in the Supermarket has a shimmering, almost new wave sound).
Rhythm & Dynamics:
One of the standout aspects of the guitar on London Calling is the sense of space and dynamics. Jones and Strummer often lock into tight, complementary rhythm parts, leaving room for the bass and drums. They shift from hard strumming to more delicate picking or skanking, depending on the genre influence of each track.
Overall Style:
More than showcasing flashy solos, the guitar work serves the songs — catchy, energetic, and rooted in rhythm. This was key to London Calling’s genre-hopping sound: punk attitude mixed with reggae grooves, pop hooks, rockabilly bite, and R&B swing.
🎸 London Calling — Where to Listen, Stream & Buy
Here are the best ways to listen to, stream, and buy London Calling by The Clash — all links verified and working.
🎧 Streaming & Digital Listening
- Spotify (Remastered) – The full album is available for streaming.
- Apple Music – Stream the album on Apple Music.
- Amazon Music / MP3 – Stream or purchase the MP3 version.
💿 Buying Physical Copies
CDs
- Barnes & Noble – Remastered CD edition (≈ US $12.99); also available as vinyl LP.
Vinyl LPs
- Barnes & Noble – Remastered vinyl LP.
- Walmart – 180 g double-vinyl pressing.
- Rough Trade – Remastered CD and LP editions.
📀 Collectible & Used Vinyl
- eBay – Original pressings and collector editions (prices vary).
🎯 Quick Overview
| Format | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming | Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music | Full album |
| MP3 Purchase | Amazon Music | ~$1.29 per track |
| CD (Remastered) | Barnes & Noble | ≈ $12.99 |
| Vinyl (Remastered) | Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Rough Trade | 180 g, gatefold |
| Collectible Vinyl | eBay | Rare editions, used pressings |
Tip: For best audio, choose a remastered 180 g vinyl. If you just want to listen, Spotify or Apple Music are easiest. For collectors, check eBay for rare originals!