If you are new to the blog – let me explain the Clash Cup. Crap day, I’m licking my wounds more than a bit today, if you are a Man United fan, I wouldn’t trade my clubs style for your success…end of story.. Sometimes being better doesn’t count for much and this is one of those days. Perhaps the same can be said on some of The Clash Cup voting (I jest)….our continued democratic mission to select the best Clash songs of all time. Before moving on to the newest selections we’ve some results to review:

What’s My Name over     The Right Profile 26-10

The Leader over Junkie Slip 19-5

I thought both votes would be a lot closer when I loaded these polls, the support for tracks from London Calling so far has not translated into wins in the cup. The rule of thumb seems to be the earlier the song the more likely it is to progress (not scientific but it is a fact in 10 of 13 results so far where the tracks weren’t from the same album). The Right Profile didn’t even get enough support to make a later appearance as a high vote getter. So onto the next foursome and it’s a good bunch again.

3 tracks that you’ll be very familiar with and potentially 2 that might make the final 32. The voting is open until Monday night – below you can link to audio and I’ll provide my usual extra info and handicapping.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Drug Stabbing Time – The first Clash song to feature brass (I think) and I also think it’s got a 20 second brilliant introduction. Leads by Joe and backing by Mick on the choruses (that in itself is a reason to love it). I’d like to hear a version without the saxaphone…is there one? It’s also a very Sandy Pearlman impacted song with every second of the audio filled with noise.

Koka Kola - Strummer lead vocals and Mick joining on the chorus, sound familiar? Still love the couplets rhyming decision, precision and indecision and to this day I still find myself driving at night saying ‘neon light sign says it’. Funny how stuff sticks with you. But clocking in at just 1:48 it’s one the shortest most punchy songs the band ever recorded.

Where You Gonna Go (Soweto) – Yes it’s a rough demo and yes it never made an official release but I was thrilled when it turned up on the London Calling Legacy edition. The sound is the missing link between GTER  and LC and as a result needs inclusion.

Hate & War - I love this song…purely and simply. As a 12 year old kid I played this over and over and over. I knew Hate & War years before I read about the 60′s and Peace & Love. I just found this track had the anger I felt and loved the lyrics. Mick Jones sounds so pissed off especially during the closing refrain when you suddenly add Strummer barking out how he feels. This is one song I’d love to see make the final 16 due to my emotional (and lasting) connection to it. Don’t let me down Clash Bloggers! I just played it now…still bloody supreme.

Thanks for your votes – I promise to fill up a link to all the results so far if you wonder if your personal favourites have been selected.

Tim

I love this story, simply love it. I posted once before about The Clash being part of any sensible curriculum. As a result I was overjoyed to see the premier rock school in the United States putting on a performance of London Calling. The Paul Green School of Rock Music is considered the premier ‘rock school’ in the United States. This performance is from the Seattle, Washington location, the school has been in operation since 1998 and teaches 8-18 year old kids to improve the musicianship and become (in theory) rock musicians.

It’s not exactly a garage off of the Holloway Road but it’s a lot better than kids playing Wii or watching MTV all day. So, I’m still trying to find out more about this -- and assume the entire album (or most of it) will be included in the performance. I’m hoping that a video will feature on the site after the event. As for the event -- it takes place 7pm on Sep 18th at the Vera Project in downtown Seattle. Hopefully a young Strummer, Jones, Simonon or Headon is on that stage and will be inspired by The Clash and the album they’re learning to master. When I was ten we had to do Good King Wenceslas for a school play…..Jimmy Jazz sounds a lot better.

Onwards with the search for the best Clash Songs ever. First I need to review 2 more final results from Round One.

Match 5 – I Fought The Law trounces Let’s Go Crazy 28-6

Match 6 – Guns on The Roof shoots down Death Is A Star 34-7

Two fairly predictable results and winning margins that lend to the preconceptions. Even so, it’s interesting to see really unlikely songs still get a reasonable amount of support. That shows the diversity of Clash songs and related affections. Time to return to the random draw and if you need more explanation all of the background info is all here for you.

Joe Strummer 1979, Courtesy Andy Rosen

Now for the next four – voting from tonight until Sunday morning…

Junco Partner versus Justice Tonight/Kick It Over

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Four Horsemen versus Lover’s Rock

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Some really big guns in there and a London Calling match up to boot. All four songs are fairly high profile and I fancy a couple of close run things. Not much introduction should be needed for any of these tracks but I’ll present them in true ‘heavyweight bout’ style.

Junco Partner - A song that Joe Strummer (happy birthday!) obviously held in great affection as he returned to it so many times after The Clash. One of my favourite moments during the Rock Art press tour was him appearing on KCRW in Los Angeles and trotting out a special version of the song on the broadcast focusing on L.A.’s wonderfully terrible traffic. A great Joe interview that I’ll always treasure. Originally performed with the 101′ers!

Justice Tonight / Kick it Over - A Super Black Market Clash B-Side that is perfect for late night drives, end of the parties and a chance to bliss out a bit. For me this (and the A side) were the pinnacle of continued Clash experimentations with Reggae. Topper’s sloping almost dusty drumming pulling along an engine sized bass line.

Four Horsemen - As a 13 year old Clash fan with his new copy of London Calling; for a good year of my life this was my favourite ‘singing into the hairbrush’ Clash song. The vinyl on that record (2 discs) had to be replaced by the time I was 15, all four sides all the time. “and we drank ‘em blind” was fun to sing even before the concept was tried and tested. Songs that take you back – yep the whole of 1980 for me via this one.

Lover’s Rock - The Clash didn’t really do love songs, and this (apparent) tongue-in-cheek effort probably concludes why. A good song nonetheless and I’m curious to see what support it gets. ‘Ridiculous innit?’

Thanks for all your votes – I’m hoping these get some debate raging.