Jared Schnabl

“London Calling” was released in 1979 as the title track and lead single from The Clash’s third studio album, London Calling. Produced by Guy Stevens, the song is a tense punk anthem with a reggae-influenced rhythm. The album around it went much further, drawing on reggae, rockabilly, ska and other styles as the band expanded beyond straightforward punk. It reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was also released as a single in the United States, although it failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its relatively modest chart performance, “London Calling” became one of The Clash’s most iconic songs and has since been regarded as one of the defining recordings of the punk era.