RIFFS / Miles Hunt of the Wonder Stuff clears a hangover with the Clash's 'Complete Control'

I JUST played this track again and even at this time of the morning with a hangover it still makes me dive round the room. CBS had put out the second Clash single, 'Remote Control', without asking them while they were on holiday. The Clash were so cross they wrote 'Complete Control', which starts: 'They said release 'Remote Control', / But we didn't want it on the label'. The bass gives the track a good rumble and it's got this great guitar intro which stays there all through - typical punk, messing around with the different notes of one chord. I always found the Clash quite tuneful, and it's perfect pop in the spirit of delivery - the forcefulness and the energy. The subject is nailed in three minutes. It ends with the classic chanting - that Pistols thing of making a new chorus up by the end of the song. Mick Jones is going 'C-O-N trol', and over the top Joe Strummer's ad libbing 'You're my guitar hero' to Jonesy, which is a laugh. I always put this on, or 'Beat Surrender' by the Jam, whenever I feel I'm doubting music.'

'Complete Control' is on The Story of the Clash Vol 1 (Columbia CD4602442); originally a vinyl single (CBS 5664, now deleted)

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