Just as the actual meaning of Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA was misinterpreted by the Reagan administration in the mid-1980s when they assumed it to be a nationalistic anthem, so the choosing of a cover version of the song London Calling by The Clash as an advert for the London 2012 Olympics seems similarly misguided. However, it seems like a more appropriate anthem for the rioting of the last couple of days, with ‘London calling to the faraway towns / Now war is declared, and battle come down’. And: ‘London calling, see we ain’t got no swing / ‘Cept for the ring of that truncheon thing’.

And its apocalyptic chorus – all together now:
The ice age is coming, the sun’s zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
’Cause London is drowning, and I live by the river.

(NB: this is post #400)