Brand New Cadillac

The raw energy of *Brand New Cadillac* is a fascinating starting point for understanding the album *London Calling*. This song, which opens the record after the iconic title track, is actually a cover of a 1959 track by Vince Taylor and The Playboys. It was the first piece that The Clash recorded at Wessex Studios for this project. Topper Headon is said to have described it as "the first British rock and roll song," and Joe Strummer saw Vince Taylor, with his image of a wild man in leather, as the beginning of rock and roll in England. Taylor, born in Middlesex, grew up in the United States, where he absorbed influences from artists like Gene Vincent and Elvis Presley, before forming The Playboys in London. Interestingly, *Brand New Cadillac* was originally the B-side of their second single, but over time it became one of their most recognized tracks, even before The Clash covered it. Joe Strummer's choice of this song seems to reflect a preference for the "rocker" over the "mod," a theme that is hinted at in his compositions and his own image.

The recording of *London Calling*, which includes *Brand New Cadillac*, took place at Wessex Studios in London over a period of five to six weeks, beginning in August 1979. The album was produced by Guy Stevens, with Bill Price as recording engineer. This work marked a turning point for The Clash, who were coming off a change in management and a period of creative block for Joe Strummer and Mick Jones. The result was a double album that went on sale in the UK in December 1979 and in the United States and Canada in January 1980. The album's sound expanded beyond their punk roots, incorporating a variety of styles such as reggae, rockabilly, ska, New Orleans R&B, pop, lounge jazz, and hard rock. The duration of *Brand New Cadillac* is 2:08, a concise cut that encapsulates that initial energy.