"London's drowning and I live by the river," comes from the concern that if the Thames burst its banks, most of central London would be flooded. Strummer was actually living in a high rise flat when he penned this.
"This is London calling..." was used by the BBC World Service station to identify themselves in broadcasting to occupied companies during WWII.
"A nuclear error" is a reference to what happened at Three Mile Island, in 1979.
The lyrics are also said to reflect the bands desperation at their debt, lack of management and internal arguments etc
"Now don't look to us, all that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust.." is a reference to their insecurities over their position as a band, post 1977 punk rock boom in England.
It was certainly a new song for The Clash.. they'd rarely used minor keys before. It has a kind of apocolyptic feel, with Topper's drumming, perfectly synchronised to staccato guitar, the deliberation in the tempo, Strummers baleful delivery and animalisti howling really emphasise the paranoia and desperation.
Note how the song doesn't fade out or anything; it breaks down... in a kind of Tonwshend-esque manner.
"London's drowning and I live by the river," comes from the concern that if the Thames burst its banks, most of central London would be flooded. Strummer was actually living in a high rise flat when he penned this.
"This is London calling..." was used by the BBC World Service station to identify themselves in broadcasting to occupied companies during WWII.
"A nuclear error" is a reference to what happened at Three Mile Island, in 1979.
The lyrics are also said to reflect the bands desperation at their debt, lack of management and internal arguments etc
"Now don't look to us, all that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust.." is a reference to their insecurities over their position as a band, post 1977 punk rock boom in England.
It was certainly a new song for The Clash.. they'd rarely used minor keys before. It has a kind of apocolyptic feel, with Topper's drumming, perfectly synchronised to staccato guitar, the deliberation in the tempo, Strummers baleful delivery and animalisti howling really emphasise the paranoia and desperation.
Note how the song doesn't fade out or anything; it breaks down... in a kind of Tonwshend-esque manner.
@Ingido I think it's not only about themselves, but more a kind of declaration for the whole generation of people.
@Ingido I think it's not only about themselves, but more a kind of declaration for the whole generation of people.