THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

294-Clash-The Call Up.

1980-Number 40 single.

Best Bit-At 0.16. The song opens and closes with a U.S. Marines traditional call and response marching, or running song, which was provided by Band Sgt. Dave Yates, who was drafted in for his appearance.

The Clash (see also 867 and 638) were formed in 1976, in London, England, before coming together the bands future members had been active in the London music scene. The classic line up of the Clash, who also played on this track were Joe Strummer, (1952-2002) (lead vocal, and rhythm guitar) Mick Jones, (lead guitar) Paul Simonon, (bass guitar) and Nicky ‘Topper’ Headon (drums.) Headon left the band in 1982, and Mick Jones left in 1983, the group remained active until 1986, with six other members coming and going in that 10 year period. The Clash released six studio Albums between 1977-1985, and 31 singles, of which 16 reached the UK top 40. When ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ was re-issued in 1991, it gave the Clash their only UK Number 1 single, and only top 10 hit. In America on Billboard two of their singles made the Billboard top 40, with ‘Rock the Casbah’ being the most successful, when reaching Number 8 in 1982.

Joe Strummer was born John Graham Mellor, in Ankara, Turkey, on August 21st, 1952, he died of a heart attack due to an undiagnosed congenital defect, on December 22nd, 2002, at the age of 50. Strummer started his music career playing Rock music, but after seeing the Sex Pistols (see also best songs 576-92 and 27) perform in April 1976, he saw that the way forward was ‘Punk Rock’ music. As the Clash developed, their music incorporated Experimental Rock, Reggae, Ska, and Dub, with the bands lyrics being political, and thought provoking.

‘The Call Up’ was the first single released from ‘Sandinista!’ the fourth studio Album by the Clash from 1980. ‘Sandinista!’ was a triple Album containing 36 tracks, with six on each side. In order for the record label to agree to such a large release, the Clash had to compromise by forgoing any royalties on the first 200,000 copies sold in the UK, and a 50% cut in royalties elsewhere.

Strummer had been unhappy that ‘CBS’ records had rejected their previous Album ‘London Calling’ being released as a double Album, and said,’It was doubly outrageous, actually it was triply outrageous.’ Mick Jones said,’I always saw it as a record for people who were, like, on oil rigs, or Arctic stations, people that weren’t able to get to the record shops regularly.’

‘The Call Up’ like all the other tracks on ‘Sandinista’ has the songwriting credited to all four members of the Clash at that time, their three previous Albums had just credited only Strummer and Jones. ‘The Call Up’ is a song about ‘The Draft,’ and war in general. It also tells of things that a soldier may miss out on,’There is a rose that I want to live for.’

‘All the young people down the ages, they gladly marched off to die. Proud city fathers used to watch them, tears in their eyes.’