"Should I Stay or Should I Go" by The Clash

Song#:  1101
Date:  07/17/1982
Debut:  92
Peak:  45
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  After their tour de force LP "London Calling" and it's #23 single "Train in Vain," the UK band issued another double-disc slab of aggressive, genre-bending rock with "Sandinista!" Although no singles would reach the pop chart, the album reached #24 and was certified gold. They gathered more songs and had intended to push out a third double-LP tentatively titled "Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg," but inner conflicts about the mixing and production forced the group to seek outside help and producer Glyn Johns came on board to help form the project. The final product ended up being a single LP titled "Combat Rock." This first single got things off to a respectable start, but it would be the second single that would make the album their biggest hit in the US.

ReduxReview:  I wasn't really aware of this song when it first came out. It just wasn't something that was going to be played on the radio between "Bette Davis Eyes" and Air Supply. Luckily, I'd catch on to it the following year. I don't think "Combat Rock" was at the same level as their previous albums, but it did have a couple of great highlights like this song.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  The first pressing of the "Combat Rock" album contained the song "Inoculated City," which near the end included a sample of a real TV commercial for the toilet bowl cleaner 2000 Flushes. The maker of the product was not thrilled with this and cried copyright infringement. Later pressings shortened the track and eliminated the sample. However, the full track was restored on the 2000 CD reissue.

_________________________________________________________________________________