London Calling by The Clash is a truly iconic song, so much so that it has risen to the 15th spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song was written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones in 1979.
Whilst its instantly recognisable and superficially perfect London Calling is a classic example of a song that has become so familiar that its original meaning has now been lost.
Originally, it was actually about the end of the world – at least as we once knew it.
Original Meaning
The title alludes to the BBC World Service’s radio station identification: “This is London calling …”, which was used during World War II, in broadcasts to occupied countries.
The lyrics reflect the concern felt by Strummer about world events with the reference to “a nuclear error” – the incident at Three Mile Island, which occurred earlier in 1979.
Joe Strummer once said:
“We felt that we were struggling about to slip down a slope or something, grasping with our fingernails. And there was no one there to help us.”
The line “London is drowning / And I live by the river” comes from concerns that if the River Thames flooded, most of central London would drown, something which ultimately led to the construction of the Thames Barrier.
Strummer’s concern for police brutality is evident through the lines “We ain’t got no swing / Except for the ring of that truncheon thing” because the Metropolitan Police at the time had a truncheon as standard issued equipment.
Social criticism was also featured with references to the effects of casual drug taking: “We ain’t got no high / Except for that one with the yellowy eyes”.
‘London Calling’
Here’s the original track and lyrics. Listen and enjoy.
London calling to the faraway towns
Now war is declared and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come outta’ 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
‘Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing
The ice age is coming, the sun’s zoomin’ in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growin’ thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
Cause London is drownin’, I, live by the river
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 want to 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
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, I, I live by the river
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, I, I live by the river
I live by the river
I live by the river
London Calling.. meaning for Today’s World.
Because of the Coronavirus “pandemic” many governments have enthusiastically embraced their totalitarian side and granted themselves sweeping new “emergency powers” along with new lockdown measures.
However the public have been rebelling against these arbitrary and illegal dictates which are not supported by either science or common sense.
Protests have been taking place all across the Europe and the UK.
Today the lyrics of London Calling should be re-interpreted as a call for people across the world to rise up against the Tip Toe Totalitarian-ism being forced upon them by the corrupt (and tax dodging) elite – aka The Great Reset.
A Question….
I have this question for the Generation of Today.
What defines you?
Not as an individual, but as a generation.
Will your generation be the one that is remembered for greatness and prosperity?
Or will it be just another learning experience for future generations – of what not to do?
It seems like a rhetorical question, doesn’t it.
Or are these questions something which every young generation has had to simply deal with since Ancient Egypt?
And Finally….
I leave you now with a quote from Russel Brand’s 2013 New Statesman editorial.
“We require a change that is beyond the narrow, prescriptive parameters of the current debate, outside the fortress of our current system.
A system predicated on aspects of our nature that are dangerous when systemic: greed, selfishness and fear.
These are old, dead ideas.
That’s why their business is conducted in archaic venues. Antiquated, elegant edifices, lined with oak and leather.
We no longer have the luxury of tradition.“
Rambling in Pen believes that today the lyrics of London Calling mean,
“Rise up people… the world needs you.”
Peace and Tranquility.
Author: Michael W
Special Thanks to
Rambling in Pen 