Studio Album · No. 3

London Calling Songwriting Credits by The Clash

1979 CBS 19 tracks 65:07

Produced by Guy Stevens  ·  Engineered by Bill Price, Jerry Green

CBS Punk RockNew WavePost-PunkSka Punk
84%
Authorship
Artist

Holds writing credit on 16 of 19 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 16 / 19 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 19 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Clash carries a lyricist or composer credit.

84%
16 trackswritten by The Clash 3 tracksoutside writers
The Clash's roles on this album

Share of the 19 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist84%
Composer84%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

19
Tracks
7
Lyricists
1
Producers
over 5 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
1979
Released
Data Insight

Fifteen of the nineteen tracks are Strummer and Jones. Simonon writes "The Guns of Brixton" alone, his first solo credit, and three covers bring in the only outside names. It is the last Clash album where the sleeve says who wrote what.

The double album from December 1979, made with Guy Stevens producing, and the record that took the band past punk.

Track Listing & Credits 19 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
London Calling #11
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
2
Brand New Cadillac
Vince Taylor Vince Taylor Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
3
Jimmy Jazz
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
4
Hateful
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
5
Rudie Can't Fail
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
6
Spanish Bombs
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
7
The Right Profile
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
8
Lost in the Supermarket
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
9
Clampdown
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
10
The Guns of Brixton
Paul Simonon Paul Gustave Simonon Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
11
Wrong 'Em Boyo
Clive Alphonso Clive Alphonso Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
12
Death or Glory
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
13
Koka Kola
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
14
The Card Cheat
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
15
Lover's Rock
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
16
Four Horsemen
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
17
I'm Not Down
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
18
Revolution Rock
Jackie EdwardsDanny Ray Jackie EdwardsDanny Ray Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)
19
Train in Vain #23
Joe StrummerMick Jones John Graham MellorMichael Geoffrey Jones Guy Stevens The Clash (Performer)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 12 contributors

More from The Clash

Frequently Asked Questions London Calling

Who wrote the songs on London Calling?
Joe Strummer and Mick Jones on fifteen of the nineteen tracks. Paul Simonon wrote "The Guns of Brixton" alone, and three covers bring in Vince Taylor, Clive Alphonso, and Jackie Edwards and Danny Ray.
Why was "Train in Vain" left off the cover?
It was originally excluded from the back cover's track listing. It was released as a US single backed with "London Calling" in February 1980.
How high did the singles chart?
"London Calling" reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and "Train in Vain" number 23 on the Hot 100.
How did it sell?
Over five million copies worldwide and one million in the United States, where it was certified platinum.
Who produced it?
Guy Stevens, with Bill Price as chief engineer.
How high did the album chart?
Number 9 in the UK and number 27 on the Billboard 200.
How long is the album?
65:07 across nineteen tracks.

Sources