The Essential Clash

The "This Is Radio Clash" track

The B-side recording titled "Radio Clash" was accidentally released on the US version of this album with the incorrect A-side title of "This Is Radio Clash", much like it had been on Super Black Market Clash. Both tracks have the same length and the only notable difference is in the two mixes and the lyrics (they also feature an uncredited performance by Gary Barnacle on Electric Saxophone). The similarities of the titles and the recordings has led to quite a bit of confusion not only by fans but by record companies as well. The two songs can be identified by the opening lyrics. "This Is Radio Clash" begins with "This is radio clash on pirate satellite, Orbiting your living room, cashing in the bill of rights" and "Radio Clash" begins with "This is radio clash resuming of transmission, beaming from the mountain tops using aural ammunition." Apart from these two compilations, every other compilation (including the European version of "The Essential Clash") where "This Is Radio Clash" is listed on the sleeve includes the original song rather than its similarly titled B-side.

Reception

Disc one

1. "White Riot" – 1:59
2. "London's Burning" – 2:10
3. "Complete Control" – 3:13
4. "Clash City Rockers" (original version) – 3:56
5. "I'm So Bored with the U.S.A." – 2:25
6. "Career Opportunities" – 1:52
7. "Hate & War" – 2:05
8. "Cheat" – 2:06
9. "Police & Thieves" - 6:00 (Junior Murvin, Lee "Scratch" Perry)
10. "Janie Jones" – 2:05
11. "Garageland" – 3:13
12. "Capital Radio One" – 2:09
13. "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" – 4:01
14. "English Civil War" - 2:36 (traditional, arranged by Jones and Strummer)
15. "Tommy Gun" – 3:17
16. "Safe European Home" – 3:51
17. "Julie's Been Working for the Drug Squad" - 3:04 (uncredited Piano by Allen Lanier)
18. "Stay Free" – 3:40
19. "Groovy Times" – 3:30
20. "I Fought the Law" - 2:39 (Sonny Curtis)

UK version adds "1977" – 1:41 as track 2.

Disc two

1. "London Calling" - 3:20 (Jones, Strummer)
2. "The Guns of Brixton" - 3:10 (Paul Simonon)
3. "Clampdown" – 3:50 (Jones, Strummer)
4. "Rudie Can't Fail" – 3:29 (Jones, Strummer)
5. "Lost in the Supermarket" – 3:47 (Jones, Strummer)
6. "Jimmy Jazz" – 3:55 (Jones, Strummer)
7. "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" – 3:11 (Jones, Strummer)
8. "Bankrobber" – 4:35 (Jones, Strummer)
9. "The Magnificent Seven" – 5:33
10. "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" – 3:07
11. "Police on My Back" - 3:17 (Eddy Grant) (UK release replaces this recording with "Broadway" – 4:56, between "The Street Parade" and "This is Radio Clash")
12. "Stop the World" – 2:33
13. "Somebody Got Murdered" – 3:34
14. "The Street Parade" – 3:29
15. "This Is Radio Clash" (on US release this recording is the B-side "Radio Clash", not the A-side "This is Radio Clash") – 4:10
16. "Ghetto Defendant" – 4:44
17. "Rock the Casbah" – 3:42
18. "Straight to Hell" – 5:30
19. "Should I Stay or Should I Go" – 3:08
20. "This Is England" - 3:50 (Bernard Rhodes, Strummer)

Track listing

1. Clash on Broadway Trailer including "London Calling" and "Radio Clash"
2. "White Riot"
3. "Complete Control"
4. "Tommy Gun"
5. "Clampdown"
6. "Train in Vain"
7. "London Calling"
8. "Bankrobber"
9. "The Call Up"
10. "Rock the Casbah"
11. "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" (live)
12. "Career Opportunities" (live)

Special features

Credits