London Calling (16) is the third studio album by English band the Clash. It was originally released as a double album in the United Kingdom in December 1979 by CBS Records, and in the United States in January 1980 by Epic Records.
On their second album Give ‘Em Enough Rope (1978), the Clash had started to depart from the punk rock sound. While touring the United States in 1979, they chose supporting acts such as rhythm and blues artists Bo Diddley and Sam & Dave, as well as neotraditional country artist Joe Ely and punk rockabilly band the Cramps. The Clash’s growing fascination with rock and roll inspired their direction for London Calling.
The Clash recorded the album with producer Guy Stevens at Wessex Sound Studios in London during August, September and November 1979, following a change in management and a period of writer’s block for songwriters Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. Bridging a traditional punk rock sound and a new wave aesthetic, London Calling reflects the band’s growing interest in styles beyond their punk roots, including reggae, rockabilly, ska, pop and hard rock. Themes include social displacement, unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood.
The album’s front cover features a photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass (now on display at the Museum of London, formerly Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) against the stage at the Palladium in New York City in September 1979. The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was an homage to the design of Elvis Presley’s self titled debut album, with pink letters down the left side and green text across the bottom. The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by Q magazine in 2001.
The album was a top ten chart success in the UK, and its lead single “London Calling” was a top 20 single. The album has sold over five million copies worldwide, and was certified platinum in the United States for sales of one million. It was also met with widespread critical acclaim and has retrospectively been named one of the greatest albums of all time. On Rolling Stone’s list of The Greatest Albums of All Time, London Calling ranked eighth in the 2003 and 2012 editions, and sixteenth in the 2020 edition.
