The Clash Discography Part 1

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Looking down the list of singles below it just hits you how good The Clash were. Everyone is a peach. But for a band with such strong singles they didn't do well in the charts compared to the Pistols and Stranglers. Admittedly they refused to appear on Top Of The Pops miming but its staggering how much press coverage they received that wasn't converted into sales. The Clash also never did a John Peel radio session.

	White Riot / 1977 March 77 What can you say. An example of a pure punk single. Lyrics, the look and white hot anger. As pure a punk single as you can get. Coupled with the excellent 1977 this single says it all. In fact either side could have been the a/B side if you know what I mean?!
	Remote Control / London's Burning May 1977 Released without the bands permission by CBS and a single that failed to chart despite two strongish tracks. Not really a stand out track and a live mono London's Burning wasn't going to help. Janie Jones should have been THE single. Click left image to see enlarged review image. Sounds 28.5.77

	Complete Control /City Of The Dead September 77 Supposedly a angry riposte to CBS about releasing Remote Control telling them what's what. But didn't CBS have to give permission to the band to release this single. I'm being picky though. This track has got it all. Lyrics, tune and some impassioned lyrics from an emotive Strummer as the song spirals out of control at the end. "This is the British punk rockers...we're controlled in the body and controlled in the mind." Click right image to see enlarged review image. Sounds 24.9.77

	Clash City Rockers / Jail Guitar Doors March 78 A single mentioning Gary Glitter and Prince Fari? Oh yes. Short stabbing chords form the main riff to this song about their fans and "burning down the suburbs with a half closed eye" Click right image to see enlarged review image. NME 18.2.78
	White Man In Hammersmith Palais /The Prisoner June 78 This one was a suprise. Slow reggae spectacular and could be viewed as one of their finest moments. The Clash like a lot of bands were going through an identity crisis. This was Strummer extemporising it. Oblique mentions to the Jam (Burton suits), punk rockers and reggae stars in this tale of isolation.
	Tommy Gun / 1-2 Crush On You November 78 Ah the difficult second album. For all the criticism, when you view this single and the next one you have to say Sandy Pearlman as producer did an excellent job. This song is so tight it hurts. Strummers lyrics go global about mercenaries but the music is superb. Tightly controlled aggression and passion. Try playing this song on guitar. There's so much going on!
	English Civil War / Pressure Drop January 1979 The Clash's visit to Belfast was a bit of a publicity stunt what with them posing with British soldiers on the front line crap. This song is one of their best. Supposedly about the national Front and its rise, it has a catchy riff and sing a long chorus and verses. The Clash at their best.
	I Fought The Law / Gates Of The West / Groovy Times / Capital Radio May 79 Like a summary before moving on. They didn't have to do much to Bobby Fuller's 'I fought The Law' to make it theirs. That said their fighting the law included stealing pillow cases and shooting pigeons! They also included a version of Capital Radio that was originally give free with the NME. Demand had made bootlegs appear so they issued this track here.
	London Calling / Armagideon Time December 79 Another perfect single and the last for the era we cover on the site. The slightly wistful but rocking London Calling heralded a new direction for the band and a more USA feel to them. The B side Armagideon Time is one of my favourites and is arguably their best reggae track