It’s difficult not to think of London Calling as one of the very best albums ever created. Every track is gold. I’ve been listening to this 1979 album for over 40 years and I’ll never tire of it.
It’s even more difficult to think about punk as a genre, culture and movement without The Clash.
London Calling musically starts to mix it up with influences from the urban streets: raggae , ska, old ‘50s tracks and experimenting with post-punk sounds. Its political and its varied. Its influence on future bands cannot be underestimated.
I’m Not Down is about depression, anxiety, hard times and still battling on. I have sung these lyrics loudly so many times, both happy and sad. For 70s blokes punks to make themselves vulnerable, to expose their emotions, is remarkable and relatable.
Cause I have lived that kind of day
When none of your sorrows will go away
Sometimes things don’t go very well and there is little you can do about it, especially at work. Tried and tested strategies fail, colleagues can throw spanners into the works and children can experience awful things. But we persevere because giving up is not an option.
I've been beat up, I've been thrown out
But I'm not down, no, I'm not down
And then there are times when you have been an absolute wally. For example, back in May I conveniently blocked out that on a personal level I don’t really like to be centre of attention and get extremely anxious. The May-Keziah did not take the October-Keziah into account when deciding to hold a book launch for Punk Leadership and then promptly invite nearly the entire world. Now, it’s this weekend and my anxiety is through the roof.
What the bloody hell was I thinking?
But I know there'll be some way
When I can swing everything back my way
Like skyscrapers rising up
Floor by floor, I'm not giving up
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