The Call Up

For the 2016 science fiction film, see The Call Up (film).

"The Call Up" is a song by English punk rock group the Clash. It was released as the first single from the band's fourth album, Sandinista!. The single was released in November 1980, in advance of the release of Sandinista!, with "Stop the World" as its B-side.

"The Call Up"
Single by the Clash
from the album Sandinista!
B-side	"Stop the World"
Released	28 November 1980
Recorded	1980
Studio	Electric Lady (New York)
Genre	Post-punk
Length	5:28
Label	CBS S CBS 9339
Songwriter(s)	The Clash
The Clash singles chronology
"Bankrobber" (1980) "The Call Up" (1980) "Hitsville U.K." (1981)

Re-releases

The single was reissued in 1981 in the U.S. by Epic Records (catalog number 02036) in 7" vinyl format and with a different cover. On the B-side of the US release was "The Cool Out", a dub of "The Call Up".

In addition to its inclusion on Sandinista!, "The Call Up" has been included on both The Clash on Broadway and The Singles. It is absent from The Essential Clash, although "Stop The World", its B-side that was not included on Sandinista, is included. "Stop The World" is also included on The Clash on Broadway and the B-side compilation Super Black Market Clash.

The single was reissued on CD as Disc 12 of Singles Box, complete with a re-creation of the original sleeve artwork, but omits "The Cool Out", making it the only disc in the set that does not include all non-UK released tracks. "The Cool Out" is however included on Disc 14 as part of the "Magnificent Seven" release.

Track listing

All tracks written by The Clash; except where indicated.

7" vinyl

1. "The Call Up" – 5:26
2. "Stop the World" – 2:32

12" vinyl (US)

1. "The Call Up" – 4:50
2. "The Cool Out" – 2:57
3. "The Magnificent Dance" (Mick Jones/Joe Strummer/Topper Headon/Norman Watt-Roy/Mickey Gallagher) – 5:36
4. "The Magnificent Seven" (Mick Jones/Joe Strummer/Topper Headon/Norman Watt-Roy/Mickey Gallagher) – 2:16

Personnel

"The Call Up"

• Joe Strummer – lead guitar, lead vocals
• Mick Jones – lead guitars, backing vocals, sound effects
• Norman Watt-Roy – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Topper Headon – drums, backing vocals

"Stop the World"

• Joe Strummer – vocal
• Mick Jones – guitars, sound effects
• Norman Watt-Roy – bass guitar
• Topper Headon – drums

Covers

The song was covered by Chris Whitley, using only voice and acoustic guitar, as track four on his 2004 release "War Crime Blues". It was also covered by The Lothars as track four, disc two of a compilation tribute album The Sandinista! Project.

Charts

Year	Chart	Peak position
1980	Australia (ARIA)	69
1980	New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)	42
1980	Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	13
1980	UK Singles (OCC)	40

References

Sources

• Topping, Keith (2004) [2003]. The Complete Clash (2nd ed.). Richmond: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 1-903111-70-6. OCLC 63129186.