Rolling Stone's Top 20

“London Calling”- #15

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Released- 1979

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This song was written and played during the Cold War period. People were on the edge due to the possibility of a nuclear war on the horizon. The song states, “A nuclear era…”. The Clash wrote this is apocalyptic song, which details the many ways the world could end, including the coming of the ice age, starvation, and war. For example, the song states, “Now war is declared… the ice age is coming… wheat is growing thin…” It was the song that best defined The Clash, who were known for lashing out against injustice and rebelling against the establishment, making this band a punk rock band due to its rebellious voice.

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Themes: Apocalypse, Cold War, Rebellion

The Clash