"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"
Released28 November 1980
Recorded1980
StudioElectric Lady (New York)
GenrePost-punk[citation needed]
Length5:28
LabelCBS S CBS 9339
Songwriter(s)The Clash
The Clash singles chronology
"Bankrobber"
(1980)
"The Call Up"
(1980)
"Hitsville U.K."
(1981)

Re-releases

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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

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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

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"The Call Up"

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"Stop the World"

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Covers

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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

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Year Chart Peak
position
1980 Australia (ARIA)[1] 69
1980 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[2] 42
1980 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[3] 13
1980 UK Singles (OCC)[4] 40

References

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Sources

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