Combat Rock

For the Doctor Who novel, see Combat Rock (novel). For the song by Sleater-Kinney, see One Beat.

Combat Rock
Surrounded by a silver border, a picture of the band members along a single railroad track; Joe Strummer is seen covering one of his eyes. The band name and album title are written in red, with stars on either side of the text.
Studio album by
the Clash
Released14 May 1982 (1982-05-14)
Recorded
  • 1980
  • September 1981
  • November 1981 – January 1982
  • April 1982
Studio
Genre
Length46:21
Label
Producer
The Clash chronology
Sandinista!
(1980) 		Combat Rock
(1982) 		Cut the Crap
(1985)
Singles from Combat Rock
  1. "Know Your Rights"
    Released: 23 April 1982
  2. "Rock the Casbah"
    Released: 11 June 1982
  3. "Should I Stay or Should I Go / Straight to Hell"
    Released: 17 September 1982

Combat Rock is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Clash, released on 14 May 1982 through CBS Records.[1] In the United Kingdom, the album charted at number 2, spending 23 weeks in the UK charts and peaked at number 7 in the United States, spending 61 weeks on the chart. The album was propelled by drummer Topper Headon's "Rock the Casbah" which became a staple on the newly launched MTV. Combat Rock continued the influence of funk and reggae like previous Clash albums, but also featured a more radio-friendly sound which alienated Clash fans. While the recording process went smoothly, the producing process of the album was tiring and full of infighting between Mick Jones and Joe Strummer. Headon's heroin addiction grew worse and he slowly became distant from the band while Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon reinstated Bernie Rhodes as manager, a move unwelcomed by Jones. The band had disagreed on the creative process of the album and called in Glyn Johns to produce the more radio-friendly sound of Combat Rock. Lyrically, Combat Rock focuses on the Vietnam War, postcolonialism, the decline of American society, and authoritarianism.

Combat Rock is the group's best-selling album, being certified double platinum in the United States and reaching number 2 in the U.K. Reception to the album believed the band had reached its peak maturity with Combat Rock, as the album's sound was less anarchic but still as political as previous albums. It contains two of the Clash's signature songs, the singles "Rock the Casbah" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go". "Rock the Casbah" became highly successful in the United States and proved to be the band's anticipated U.S breakthrough. "Should I Stay or Should I Go" was not as successful until being re-released in 1991 and topping the charts in their native United Kingdom.

Combat Rock is the last Clash album featuring the band's classic lineup.[2][3] Topper Headon (due to his heroin addiction) was fired days before the release of Combat Rock and Mick Jones was fired after the end of the Combat Rock tour in 1983. Combat Rock would be succeeded by the Clash's last album, Cut the Crap, recorded and released without Mick Jones or Topper Headon in 1985.

  1. ^ Colin Larkin (27 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. pp. 2006–. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  2. ^ Letts Don; Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon, Terry Chimes, Rick Elgood, the Clash (2001). The Clash, Westway to the World (Documentary). New York, NY: Sony Music Entertainment; Dorismo; Uptown Films. Event occurs at 71:00–75:00. ISBN 0-7389-0082-6. OCLC 49798077.
  3. ^ Cromelin, Richard (31 January 1988). "Strummer on Man, God, Law and The Clash". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2010.