I agree with those who have said that the song is about chaos, in the form of anarchy/revolution, enveloping London. Similar to war, but destruction from within. "London calling" was a tagline during WW2, when London was being the hardest hit (by bombing) of anywhere. In 1979, they were saying that London was being the hardest hit again.
I've puzzled over the words "A nuclear era, but I have no fear; London is drowning and I live by the river", and I've read what people here have said. My conclusion is that he's saying that he has no fear OF the nuclear error... he won't be alive long enough to suffer from that BECAUSE London is drowning and he lives by the river. Literally, the anarchy that is coming will sweep over London before the rest of the world succumbs.
The song definitely has a greatness beyond the lyrics. The anger and urgency of the song is clear, and you can absorb that from even isolated lyrics you hear over the instruments in a casual listen.
I agree with those who have said that the song is about chaos, in the form of anarchy/revolution, enveloping London. Similar to war, but destruction from within. "London calling" was a tagline during WW2, when London was being the hardest hit (by bombing) of anywhere. In 1979, they were saying that London was being the hardest hit again.
I've puzzled over the words "A nuclear era, but I have no fear; London is drowning and I live by the river", and I've read what people here have said. My conclusion is that he's saying that he has no fear OF the nuclear error... he won't be alive long enough to suffer from that BECAUSE London is drowning and he lives by the river. Literally, the anarchy that is coming will sweep over London before the rest of the world succumbs.
The song definitely has a greatness beyond the lyrics. The anger and urgency of the song is clear, and you can absorb that from even isolated lyrics you hear over the instruments in a casual listen.