Question 1

Who wrote the Clash's songs?

Accepted Answer

Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, together, on the first three albums. Strummer has 52 credits across the catalogue and Jones 40. From Sandinista! onward the sleeve credits songs to the Clash as a band instead of to individuals, which covers 41 of the 103 tracks.

Question 2

Why do some Clash songs have no named writer?

Accepted Answer

From Sandinista! in 1980 the band credited songs to the Clash collectively rather than to individual members. Thirty-one of that album's 36 tracks and ten of Combat Rock's twelve carry only the band name.

Question 3

Who wrote "Rock the Casbah"?

Accepted Answer

Topper Headon, Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. It is one of only two tracks on Combat Rock with named writers on it.

Question 4

Who wrote "London Calling"?

Accepted Answer

Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, credited together like fifteen of the album's nineteen tracks.

Question 5

How many studio albums did the Clash release?

Accepted Answer

Six, from the 1977 debut through Cut the Crap in 1985.

Question 6

Why is Bernard Rhodes credited on Cut the Crap?

Accepted Answer

Mick Jones had been fired, and the band's manager Bernard Rhodes co-wrote the whole album with Strummer. All twelve tracks carry both names.

Question 7

Which Clash album sold the most?

Accepted Answer

Combat Rock, certified double platinum in the United States. London Calling has sold over five million copies worldwide and one million in the US.

Question 8

Did the Clash have a US hit?

Accepted Answer

"Rock the Casbah" reached number 8 on the Hot 100 in 1982. "Train in Vain" got to 23 in 1980 and "Should I Stay or Should I Go" to 45.

Question 9

Are the Clash in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Accepted Answer

Yes, inducted in March 2003, three months after Joe Strummer died. Original drummer Terry Chimes was inducted alongside the others.

Question 10

Did Paul Simonon write anything?

Accepted Answer

Two tracks carry his name, including "The Guns of Brixton" on London Calling, which he also sang.

The Clash