Your K-1017 Song Of The Day: Clash Division

It was a hidden track, unlabeled, on side two of London Calling. And it became the song that broke them big on U.S. mainstream radio.  "Train In Vain" was added to the record at the last minute, when the sleeve was already in production. The Clash wrote and recorded it one day with the thought of giving it away in the Brit music magazine, N.M.E. it turned out to be the band's first top thirty hit in the United States. Released in the bizzaro top 40 world of 1979, I remember it clearly, showing up on local radio between "Reminiscing"  by the Little River band and Led Zeppelin's "Fool In The Rain." A nervy stranger showing up in a studded leather jacket between louche coked up rock stars in seventies disco pants.

"Clash lead singer Joe Strummer has been quoted in multiple interviews in regards to the song's meaning. During the course of their relationship, Mick Jones would frequently take the train across town to see his girlfriend Viv Albertine, but his visits were often fruitless as the meetings would seldom see Jones departing a 'satisfied' and happy man."

And, brothers and sisters, it's your K-1017 Song Of The Day.

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