London's Burning (song)
Encyclopedia
"London's Burning" is a song by The Clash
from their eponymous debut album
. It is the eighth track in the U.K. version of this album, and the seventh track in the U.S. version, from 1979.
It is sung by Joe Strummer
(and Mick Jones
in the chorus), who starts the song shouting "London's Burning!" two times. The song continues talking about the problems in the England's traffic lines, who makes people stay in the car until the night falls, feeling bored and far of their homes. This message is clearly seen in the next verse: "I'm up and down the Westway
, in an' out the lights/What a great traffic system - it's so bright/I can't think of a better way to spend the night/Than speeding around underneath the yellow lights"
In the song it is repeated the racial theme so often treated by them, when they say "Black or white turn it on, face the new religion."
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
from their eponymous debut album
The Clash (album)
The album received positive reviews from critics and peaked at number 12 in the UK charts. In December 1979, critic Robert Christgau named it his favorite album of the 1970s....
. It is the eighth track in the U.K. version of this album, and the seventh track in the U.S. version, from 1979.
It is sung by Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
(and Mick Jones
Mick Jones (The Clash)
Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones is the former lead guitarist, secondary vocalist and co-founder for the British punk rock band The Clash until his dismissal in 1983. He went on to form the band Big Audio Dynamite with Don Letts before line-up changes led to the formation of Big Audio Dynamite II and...
in the chorus), who starts the song shouting "London's Burning!" two times. The song continues talking about the problems in the England's traffic lines, who makes people stay in the car until the night falls, feeling bored and far of their homes. This message is clearly seen in the next verse: "I'm up and down the Westway
Westway (London)
The Westway is a long elevated dual carriageway section of the A40 route in west London running from Paddington to North Kensington. The road was constructed between 1964 and 1970 to relieve congestion at Shepherd's Bush caused by traffic from Western Avenue struggling to enter central London on...
, in an' out the lights/What a great traffic system - it's so bright/I can't think of a better way to spend the night/Than speeding around underneath the yellow lights"
In the song it is repeated the racial theme so often treated by them, when they say "Black or white turn it on, face the new religion."