"Revolution Rock" is a song written and originally recorded by Danny Ray and covered by the Clash, featuring on their 1979 album '' London Calling''. Ray's version of the song was released as a single to modest success. According to

Paul Simonon Paul Gustave Simonon (; born 15 December 1955) is an English musician and artist best known as the bassist for the Clash. More recent work includes his involvement in the supergroup the Good, the Bad & the Queen and playing on the Gorillaz alb ...

, "Danny Ray put out his version of "Revolution Rock" just before we were recording London Calling."Salewicz 2008, p. 251 Ray sampled the Jackie Edwards song "Get Up" on the track, so Edwards is listed as the co-writer. In the Clash's version Joe Strummer changed several of the lyrics, including a reference to Mack the Knife and the trend of smashing up seats at punk shows ("Everybody smash up your seats, and rock to this brand new beat"). The song is an ode to self-motivation. It was originally going to close ''London Calling'', but "

Train in Vain "Train in Vain" is a song by the British punk rock band the Clash. It was released as the third and final single from their third studio album, ''London Calling'' (1979). The song was not originally listed on the album's track listing, appearing ...

" was added at the last minute. There was another reggae song of the same title released in 1973 by Big Youth and Prince Buster. According to Ray, "The lyrics come from going to the clubs and seeing what was going on, you know?" The song features staccato horn chants and "sinuous" guitar stylings. According to Sean Egan, "Strummer uses his voice almost as an instrument in the way he cleverly manufactures the illusion of call and response with already recorded instruments." An instrumental version of the song was featured on the '' Rude Boy'' film. "Revolution Rock" was a staple in live shows from the end of 1979 to 1981. According to

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

, "With the help of sidemen the Irish Horns, the Clash get downright giddy."

References

Bibliography

* * * {{The Clash singles Songs about revolutions Songs about rock music Year of song missing Jamaican reggae songs The Clash songs Song recordings produced by Guy Stevens