The Clash - Im not down

London Calling is the third album by English punk rock band The Clash, released 14 December 1979, on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 on Epic Records in the United States. The album represented a change in The Clash's musical style, and featured elements of ska, pop, soul, rockabilly and reggae music. The album's subject matter included unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and the responsibilities of adulthood.

The album received highly positive reviews and was ranked at number eight on Rolling Stone' list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2003.London Calling was a top ten album in the UK, and its lead single "London Calling" was a top twenty single.It has sold over two million copies worldwide,and was certified platinum in the United States.

After recording their 1978 album Give 'Em Enough Rope in the United States, the band separated from their manager Bernard Rhodes.This separation meant that the band had to leave their rehearsal studio in Camden Town and find another location to compose their music. Drawing inspiration from rockabilly, ska, reggae and jazz,the band began work on the album during the summer of 1979. Tour manager Johnny Green had found the band a new place to rehearse called Vanilla Studios in Pimlico, which was located in the back of a garage.The band quickly wrote and recorded demos, with Jones composing and arranging much of the music and Strummer supplying the lyrics.

In August 1979, the band entered Wessex Studios to begin recording London Calling. The Clash asked Guy Stevens to produce the album, much to the dismay of CBS Records.Stevens had alcohol and drug problems and his production methods were unconventional.While recording he would often swing ladders and throw chairs around the band to create an emotional atmosphere.The entire album was recorded within a matter of weeks, with many songs recorded in one or two takes.

The album's cover features a photograph of Simonon smashing his Fender Precision Bass against the stage at The Palladium in New York City on 21 September 1979 during the "Clash Take the Fifth" US tour.Pennie Smith, who photographed the band for the album, originally did not want the photograph to be used. She thought that it was too out of focus, but Strummer and graphic designer Ray Lowry thought it would make a good album cover.In 2002, Smith's photograph was named the best rock and roll photograph of all time by Q magazine, commenting that "it captures the ultimate rock'n'roll moment - total loss of control".

The cover artwork was designed by Lowry and was a homage to the design of Elvis Presley's debut album.The cover was named the ninth best album cover of all time by Q magazine in 2001.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• the
• clash
• im
• not
• down
• london
• calling
• joe
• strummer
• mick
• jones
• paul
• simonon
• topper
• headon
• punk
• rock

[DevoDevoT]

It's like a dose of vitamins. 3:00 minutes of Clash and I'm ready to go!

[juices1234]

@KnowYourClash Its hard not to underrate it, because if we didn't underrate certain clash songs than they would all be their number 1 hits. Endless greatness.

[christinaaudet1]

Joe Strummer is dead...but I'm not down...i guess.

[hallystarfish233]

"I'm Not Down" and, "Death or Glory" just energize me in such a profound way. These songs make me want to scream, "FUCK YOU!" at the top of my lungs and go change something. Lol at 23 years old I can say I have been a Clash fan for 15 of those years. =]]

[callowbastard11]

@seanothebeast lads? errrrggghhhh limey bs.

[byebyefeather]

I listened to this as a kid all the time, then I left this music with my memories of trashing abanonded houses, smoking rollies & nicking sweets from the garage. Listen to music forever not just a certain part off your life because then it will stay with you forever.

[BleachTW]

@handsomedevil98 Lennon and McCartney are two boring basterds!

[oooBASTIooo]

punk is dead.. but still not down :)

[handsomedevil98]

@Estalonge2007 Yeah people don't talk that much about Mick Jones, well as much as Strummer! but it happens like Lennon over McCartney, cause Strummer/Jones, the Lennon & McCartney of Punk

[seanothebeast]

but i'm not fucking down lads!!

[DelStrainComedy]

Their B sides piss all over anything in last 25 yrs never mind sheer number of songs they did in 3 years.Class and my moral compass. Vive Le Clash. RIP Joe Public.

[JVialpando]

I remember first hearing this years ago, I was like 8 years old and because of my Dad and Brother I grew up loving music.... real music. Hahaha I remember writing "The Clash" on my skateboard griptape and I was 8 years old, haha fucking sick. I'm thankful for all of that!