London Calling
The Clash
1979 ReleasedUpvote Your Favorite Album Today!
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Digging into London Calling - what's your favorite track or standout moment? 🤘
1
London Calling
03 : 17
2
Brand New Cadillac
02 : 05
3
Jimmy Jazz
03 : 51
4
Hateful
02 : 42
5
Rudie Can’t Fail
03 : 25
6
Spanish Bombs
03 : 17
7
The Right Profile
03 : 50
8
Lost in the Supermarket
03 : 43
9
Clampdown
03 : 45
10
The Guns of Brixton
03 : 08
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Track Lyrics
London Calling Lyrics
[Verse 1]
London calling to the faraway towns
Now war is declared and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the cupboard, ya 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 that truncheon thing
[Chorus]
The ice age is comin', the sun's zoomin' in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growin' thin
Engines stop runnin', but I have no fear
'Cause London is drownin' and I live by the river
[Verse 2]
(London calling) to the imitation zone
Forget it, brother, you can go it alone
London calling to the zombies of death
Quit holdin' out and draw another breath
London calling and I don't wanna shout
But while we were talking, I saw you noddin' out
London calling, see we ain't got no Hyde
'Cept for that one with the yellowy eyes
[Chorus]
The ice age is comin', the sun's zoomin' in
Engines stop runnin', the wheat is growin' thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drownin' and I, I live by the river
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus]
The ice age is coming, the sun's zoomin' in
Engines stop running, the wheat is growin' thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning, an' I, I live by the river
[Bridge]
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Now get this
[Verse 3]
(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)
[Outro]
I never felt so much alike, alike, alike
Brand New Cadillac Lyrics
[Intro]
Drive!
Drive!
[Chorus]
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
Yes, she did
My baby drove up in a brand new Cadillac
She said, "Hey, come here, Daddy!"
"I ain't never comin' back!"
[Verse 1]
Baby, baby, won't you hear my plea?
C'mon, sugar, just come on back to me
She said, "Balls to you, Big Daddy"
[Verse 2]
Baby, baby, won't you hear my plea?
Oh, c'mon, just hear my plea
She said, "Balls to you, Daddy"
She ain't comin' back to me
[Chorus]
Baby, baby drove up in a Cadillac
I said, "Jesus Christ! Where'd ya' get that Cadillac?"
She said, "Balls to you, Daddy"
She ain't never coming back!
She ain't never coming back!
She ain't never coming back!
She ain't never coming back!
Jimmy Jazz Lyrics
[Intro]
Police walked in for Jimmy Jazz
I said "He ain't here, but he sure went by"
Oh, you're lookin' for Jimmy Jazz
Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police come look for Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
So if you're gonna take a message 'cross the town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz
[Instrumental Break]
So tell me now!
The police came in they said "Now where's Jimmy Jazz?"
I said, "Hmm, he was here but, um, he said he went out"
Who is it you're lookin' for? Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
Hey, Satta Massagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and they'll chop off his head
Oh, you're lookin' for Jimmy Jazz, Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
What a relief!
I feel like a soldier
Look like a thief!
It's for the Jazz, Jazz
Police a-come a-lookin' for the Jimmy Jazz
He came in and he went past
Oh, you're lookin' for the Jimmy Jazz, Jimmy Jazz
In fact, don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz, Jazz
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, "Suck that!"
So go look all around
You can try your luck, brother, and see what ya' found
But I guarantee you that it ain't your day, your day
It ain't your day
Chop! Chop!
Hateful Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Well, I got a friend who's a man (who's a man)
What man? The man who keeps me from the lonely
The only
He gives me what I need (what you need?)
What you got? I need it all so badly
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want, he gives it to me
Anything I want, he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for
And I'm so grateful to be nowhere
[Verse 2]
This year I've lost some friends (some friends)
What friends? I dunno, I didn't even notice
You see, I gotta go out again (again)
My friend, I gotta see that main man
Hey
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want, he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for
And I'm so grateful to be nowhere
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me
Anything I want, he gives it, but not for free
It's hateful
And it's paid for
And I'm so grateful to be nowhere
[Verse 3]
I killed all my nerves (my nerves)
What swerves? I can't drive so steady
And already
I've lost my memory (my mind)
Behind, I can't see so clearly
[Chorus]
Oh, anything I want, he gives it to me
Anything I want, he gives it, but not for free
Oh, anything I want he gives it to me (Anything I want)
Anything I want he gives it, but not for free (Anything I want)
Anything I want, anything I want
Rudie Can’t Fail Lyrics
[Intro - Joe Strummer]
Now sing, Michael, sing
On the route of the 19 Bus
We hear them sayin'
[Verse 1 - Mick Jones]
How you get so rude and'a reckless?
Don't you be so crude and'a feckless
You been drinkin' brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail, no, no
(We reply)
I know that my life makes you nervous
But I tell you that I can't live in service
Like the doctor who's born for a purpose
Rudie can't fail
[Chorus - Jones & Strummer]
(Ok)
I went to the market to realize (my soul)
What I need (I just don't have) (Oh no)
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
(He say) Rudie can't fail
[Verse 2 - Mick Jones]
First you must cure your temper
Then find a job in a paper
You need someone for a saviour
Rudie can't fail
(We reply)
Now we get a'rude and a'reckless
To been seen looking cool and speckless
An' drinking brew for breakfast
Rudie can't fail (oh no, no)
[Chorus]
I went to the market to realize (my soul)
'Cause what I need (I just don't have) (Have)
First they curse, then they press me 'til I hurt
Rudie can't fail
[Bridge - Joe Strummer]
Ok, ok
So where you wanna go today?
Hey, boss man, huh, yeah
So you're looking pretty smart (Chicken skin suit) with a chicken skin suit
You think you're pretty hot (Pork pie hat) in your pork pie hat
[Outro]
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Rudie can't fail
Spanish Bombs Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Spanish songs in Andalucía
The shooting site in the days of '39
Oh, please, leave the ventana open
Federico Lorca is dead and gone
Bullet holes in the cemetery walls
The black cars of the Guardia Civil
Spanish bombs on the Costa Rica
I'm flyin' in on a DC 10 tonight
[Chorus]
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te acuerda oh, mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te acuerda oh mi corazón
[Verse 2]
Spanish weeks in my disco casino
The freedom fighters died upon the hill
They sang the red flag, they wore the black one
After they died it was Mockingbird Hill
Back home the buses went up in flashes
The Irish tomb was drenched in blood
Spanish bombs shatter the hotels
My señorita's rose was nipped in the bud
[Chorus]
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te acuerda oh, mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te acuerda oh mi corazón
[Verse 3]
The hillsides ring with "Free the people"
Or can I hear the echo from the days of '39?
With trenches full of poets, the ragged army
Fixin' bayonets to fight the other line
Spanish bombs rock the province
I'm hearin' music from another time
Spanish bombs on the Costa Brava
I'm flyin' in on a DC 10 tonight
[Chorus]
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te acuerda oh mi corazón
Spanish bombs, yo te quiero infinito
Yo te acuerda oh, mi corazón
[Outro]
Oh, mi corazón
Oh, mi corazón
Spanish songs in Andalucía
Mandolina, oh, mi corazón
Spanish songs in Granada
Oh, mi corazón
Oh, mi corazón
Oh, mi corazón
Oh, mi corazón
The Right Profile Lyrics
[Intro]
Say, where did I see this guy?
[Verse 1]
In Red River?
Or A Place in the Sun?
Maybe The Misfits?
Or From Here to Eternity?
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 2]
New York, (New York) New York, 42nd Street
Hustlers rustle and pimp pimp the beat
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
He ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's just Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 3]
I see a car smashed at night
Cut the applause and dim the light
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
Is he alive? Can he still feel?
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "Shine the light!"
Everybody say, "It's not funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Bridge]
Shoot his right profile
[Chorus]
Everybody say, "Is he all right?"
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 4]
Nembutal
Numbs it all
But I prefer
Alcohol
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
That's Montgomery Clift, honey!
[Verse 5]
He said, "Go out and get me my old movie stills
Go out and get me another roll of pills
Everything's shakin', but I ain't got the chills"
[Chorus]
And everybody say, "What's he like?"
And everybody say, "Is he all right?"
Everybody say, "He sure look funny"
"I was trapped!" Montgomery Clift, honey!
Lost in the Supermarket Lyrics
[Chorus]
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
[Verse 1]
I wasn't born, so much as I fell out
Nobody seemed to notice me
We had a hedge back home in the suburbs
Over which I never could see
I heard the people who live on the ceiling
Scream and fight, most scarily
Hearing that noise was my first ever feelin'
That's how it's been, all around me
[Chorus]
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
[Verse 2]
I'm all tuned in, I see all the programs
I save coupons from packets of tea
I've got my giant hit, discotheque album
I empty a bottle, I feel a bit free
The kids in halls and the pipes in the walls
Making noises for company
Long distance callers make long distance calls
And the silence makes me lonely
[Chorus]
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
[Bridge]
And it's not here
It disappeared
[Chorus]
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
[Bridge]
I'm all lost
[Chorus]
I'm all lost in the supermarket
I can no longer shop happily
I came in here for the special offer
Guaranteed personality
Clampdown Lyrics
[Verse 1]
(The kingdom is ransacked
The jewels all taken back
And the chopper descends
They're hidden in the back
With a message on a half-baked tape
And the spool goes 'round
Sayin' I'm back here in this place
And I could cry
And there's smoke you could click on)
[Pre-Chorus]
What are we gonna do now?
[Chorus]
Takin' off his turban, they said, "Is this man a Jew?"
Workin' for the clampdown
They put up a poster sayin' "We earn more than you!"
We're workin' for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
[Post-Chorus]
The judge said "Five to ten" but I say "Double that again"
I'm not (workin' for the clampdown)
No man born with a livin' soul
Can be (workin' for the clampdown)
Kick over the wall, cause governments to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
D'you know that you can use it?
[Verse 2]
The voices in your head are callin'
Stop wasting your time, there's nothing comin'
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You don't owe nothin', boy get running!
It's the best years of your life they want to steal
[Chorus]
But, you grow up and you calm down
And you're (workin' for the clampdown)
You start wearin' blue and brown
And (workin' for the clampdown)
So you got someone to boss around
It makes ya' feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
Make your first kill now
[Post-Chorus]
In these days of evil presidentes
(Workin' for the clampdown)
But lately one or two has fully paid their dues
For (workin' for the clampdown)
Ha! Get along! Get along!
(Workin' for the clampdown)
Ha! Get along! Get along!
(Workin' for the clampdown)
[Bridge]
Yeah I’m workin' hard in Harrisburg
Workin' hard in Petersburg
(Workin' for the clampdown)
(Workin' for the clampdown)
Ha! Get along! Get along
Beggin' to be melted down
(Get along, get along)
Work
Work
And I ain't giving away no secrets – ha!
Work
More work
More work
Work
Work
Work
Work
[Outro]
Who's barmy now?
The Guns of Brixton Lyrics
[Intro: Joe Strummer]
(Oh, yeah)
Hey, Paul
[Verse 1]
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row?
[Chorus]
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
[Pre-Verse]
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 2]
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of The Harder They Come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
[Chorus]
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
[Verse 1]
When they kick at your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun?
[Chorus]
You can crush us
You can bruise us
You can even shoot us
But, oh the guns of Brixton
[Verse 3]
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin'
As in heaven, as in hell
[Chorus]
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton
Oh, guns of Brixton