This song was written while Strummer was living beside the River Thames on the World's End estate in Chelsea, fuelling the lyrics' apocalyptic vision and the line 'London's drowning but I live by the River'.
The B-side, a cover of reggae singer Willie Williams's Armagideon Times was recorded quickly on Bonfire Night in 1979.
Originally released as a double LP, London Calling was recorded with maverick producer Guy Stevens.
The US release came a month later, on January 10th 1980.