The Clash is the subject!
How lucky are you today?! Herc is here to tell you all about this wonderful band. Do as he says, soak up all of his knowledge and pass it on to everyone you know!
Take it away, Herc!
7 Clash Songs aka The Magnificent Seven
[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]
(If you have not had the pleasure of listening to the revolutionary music of the Clash before, please listen to the Spotify Playlist. Don’t worry, your shameful secret is safe with Herc. When you come back, we’ll continue.)
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
“Train in Vain (Stand By Me)” [1980]
This song was recorded and added to the London Calling double album after the cover artwork had already been printed so it shows up as an unlisted “secret track” at the end of the album. A snarling, groovy love song with hooks for days, I double dog dare you not to 
“London Calling” [1980]
A haunting, apocalyptic song featuring piercing guitar chords matched by precision drumming and a doom-y bassline, “London Calling” is at once a dire warning, a call to arms and a hymn for future generations.
“Police On My Back” [1981]
With siren-like guitars and a runaway train rhythm, “Police on My Back” decries police brutality with its own full frontal musical assault. Although it is not an original composition by the band, having been written by Eddy Grant, they put their indelible musical imprint upon it and it stands out as one of their best-loved tracks.
“Rock The Casbah” [1982]
A rock and roll fable about the ruler of a far away land banning rock music leading the citizens to rise up and revolt, “Rock The Casbah” is noted for borrowing several words from other languages to paint an Arabian Nights-style narrative.
“Should I Stay Or Should I Go” [1982]
The rubbery bass line lays the foundation for the Spanish backing vocals with lyrics asking the not-so-hypothetical question of whether to stay in a relationship or runaway. If you have to ask, I say runaway. Now.
“Know Your Rights” [1982]
A “public service announcement... with GUITARS!” this militant screed laid out your rights, “all three of ‘em”. But the thing is, they are merely implied, bait and switch rights such as “you have the right not to be killed/Murder is a crime/Unless it is done by a policeman/Or an aristocrat”.
“This Is Radio Clash” [1981
Take old school New York City rap, throw in some bottom heavy dub, joyous funk and snotty punk attitude, and you have “This Is Radio Clash”, a start stop rap track with a decidedly British sneer. The song is a timeless slice of dance music, one of the great lost singles of the 80s.
“The Magnificent Seven” [1981]
Propelled by a bubbly bass loop, Joe Strummer’s words ride the rhythm effortlessly, flowing as England’s first rapper of any color. The immediate predecessor to “This Is Radio Clash” both stylistically and chronologically, “The Magnificent Seven” represents the first rap song by a rock band, beating Blondie’s better known “Rapture” by more than six months.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
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