The Clash Cup is back and we’ll now try and stay on schedule. We are down to the very last week of round one now. 56 Songs from this round will join 8 that were ‘runner up seeds’ to make up the next 64 for round two. I try and find the time but the research and linking all takes time that has been a bit thing on the ground the last week or two. The competition for best Clash song ever is going to get a bit tasty in the next round. I’ve got 4 new songs to be voted for today and also a quick summary of some earlier results, so let me take care of that first.

Brand New Cadillac defeats Ghetto Defendant 30  -  16

I’m Not Down defeats Version Pardner 44  -  6

So another clean sweep for London Calling. It is almost ominous how well the London Calling tracks have performed in this round, it’s hard to find consistent views on the best 3 or 4 tracks on the album and as a result everything seems to get good support. Ghetto Defendant might have just missed polling enough votes to stay alive at this stage. Now on to another 4, give them consideration and if you remain uncertain you can listen to them below or read a bit more.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Ivan Meets G.I. Joe - The Clash have their Ringo moment as Topper takes his turn on lead vocals. As a kid I wondered how the song would sound with Mick or Joe on vocals and I still do. Best thing about this song? The cartoon that accompanied it in the booklet that came with the album. Until I heard it live from Bonds recently (check the link). Topper sounded better live for some reason.

The Equaliser - This is a Classic. I loved this song immediately when I bought Sandinista! and nothing has changed in the years since. The whole atmosphere of the song and the recurring bass line is magic to these ears. Did the US version of the album spell it properly or with a ZED ? Just wondering.

City Of The Dead - I love Joe’s venom as he spits out the lyrics on this overlooked B-Side. He just sounds brilliant and the offsetting by Mick’s gentle ooh ooh is majestic. A great song with great lyrics that still sounds fresh today, but does the saxaphone add or detract?

Freedom Train - I searched high and low and although I’ve heard this before on a tape YEARS ago I think I can’t find it for you. It was one of the session songs from Sandinista! that didn’t make the album but one of the most laid back Clash songs I’ve heard. I think it was a cover of a country song but my research was beaten by it being pulled out on the random number machine.

As ever I now need your votes to see which song remains. I make it 14 more songs to be voted on so by Saturday we’ll wrap up the final 64! Thanks in advance.