London's Burning (song)

"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.

Contents

• Personnel
• Cover versions
• References

It is sung by Joe Strummer (and Mick Jones, with Paul Simonon in the chorus), who starts the song shouting "London's Burning!" two times. The song continues talking about London's automobile traffic, where backups keep people stuck in their cars until nightfall, feeling bored and far from home. 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"

The song repeats the racial theme often treated by the band, notably in the first verse with the line: "Black or white turn it on, face the new religion".

The song's name came from popular nursery rhyme about the Great Fire of London (1666).

It was first recorded at CBS Studios London for the sessions for the debut album. Mick Jones' improvised guitar solo at the end of the song is not very typical for punk rock, which often has a minimalist attitude. An alternative version taken from the "White Riot" promo film in April 1977 was released on the B-side of the controversial "Remote Control (The Clash song) " single in May 1977.