The Singles

by The Clash

Overview

The Singles is exactly what the title says -- a collection of the Clash's U.K. single A-sides. This approach can hardly result in a definitive compilation, since the Clash's albums were such cohesive, important works in their own right, and even more erratic LPs like Sandinista! and Combat Rock had their share of fine album tracks. Nevertheless, the collection does have some value, particularly for more casual fans who don't want to spend the time or money sifting through those uneven albums. And because the best way to hear the Clash is on their original albums, The Singles can also be useful for fans who already own those albums and don't want to purchase the three-disc Clash on Broadway, thereby duplicating a good portion of their collection. The Singles does illustrate the progression of the Clash's music from raw, energetic punk to eclectic dabblings in rockabilly, reggae, and dance-rock (even if it doesn't do so as seamlessly as London Calling), and so far, it is the only single-disc Clash comp to feature the original version of the non-LP single "Bankrobber" (the one on Super Black Market Clash is a dub version with most of the lyrics missing). So, the utility of The Singles all depends on how deeply you want to dig into the Clash, and how much tolerance you have for duplication in the compilations necessary for supplementing the original albums (if your tolerance is high, stick with the more thorough Clash on Broadway). [The 2007 reissue adds "Train in Vain" and "Groovy Times" .] ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	06/05/2007
Label:	Legacy / Epic
UPC:	0886971136623

Tracks

1. London Calling
2. Rock the Casbah
3. Should I Stay or Should I Go
4. I Fought the Law
5. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
6. The Magnificent Seven
7. Bankrobber
8. The Call Up
9. Complete Control
10. White Riot
11. Remote Control
12. Tommy Gun
13. Clash City Rockers
14. English Civil War (Johnny Comes Marching Home)
15. Hitsville UK
16. Know Your Rights
17. This Is England
18. This Is Radio Clash
19. Train in Vain
20. Groovy Times

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Clash   Primary Artist
Topper Headon   Drums,Drums (Snare)
Joe Strummer   Guitar,Vocals
Mick Jones   Guitar,Vocals
Paul Simonon   Bass

Technical Credits

Mick Jones   Composer,Arranger
Paul Simonon   Composer
Sonny Curtis   Composer
The Clash   Composer,Producer
Bill Price   Producer
Topper Headon   Composer
Joe Strummer   Arranger,Composer
Sandy Pearlman   Producer
Micky Foote   Producer
Guy Stevens   Producer
Bernard Rhodes   Composer
Lee "Scratch" Perry   Producer
Mikey Dread   Producer
Glyn Johns   Mixing,Producer
Pennie Smith   Photography
Traditional   Composer