# What is the meaning of "London Calling"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 13, 2005, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869 "2005-02-13T14:07:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/1 "2005-02-13T14:07:12Z")
A few years ago, I guess, there were ads using this slogan (or moniker?) about “London Calling”, but what the heck does that mean and/or to what does/did it refer? What is alluding to some reality TV show, or something? Pop culture - the ultimate oximoron! - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![WILLASS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/54ee81/32.png) [@WILLASS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WILLASS)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/2 "2005-02-13T14:10:42Z")
I know that ‘London Calling’ is the name of a song by ‘The Clash’ (I think). Don’t know if this helps. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/3 "2005-02-13T14:17:58Z")
I may be mistaken - I have no cite at the moment, but I believe the phrase “_This is London Calling_” traces its origins to WWII. It was a phrase used by UK propaganda radio aimed at Europe during the occupation. I’ll try to dig up a cite. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/4 "2005-02-13T14:44:34Z")
I’ve done a little checking, and I should amend my previous post before someone comes in here and beats me with a clue stick. It appears that the phrase “This is London Calling” was (is?) a standard phrase used by BBC radio. The phrase apparently became very well known during WWII, but I don’t know if that’s when it started. The broadcasts were heard in parts of occupied Europe, particularly France, and I believe BBC broadcasting would air coded messages for the benefit of resistance fighters and deep operatives. They also broadcast the news and propaganda from the allied side, and obviously became a target of the Nazis and Luftwaffe. How and when it started is what I’m trying to find, and have not as of yet. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/5 "2005-02-13T15:12:19Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > How and when it started is what I’m trying to find, and have not as of yet. From the beginning, basically. You can hear a recreation of the BBC’s first broadcast here:[“2LO, Marconi House, London, calling.”](http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/2lo/115.asp) ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/6 "2005-02-13T15:17:14Z")
As others have noted it was a BBC radio program catch phrase, then that was used as the title song in an album that was regarded as one of the masterworks of punk sensibilities that defined and resonated with the (then) zeitgeist. Now, mainly playing off the album’s resonance, it’s been appropriated for use as a “cool” moniker for all manner of telephonic and internet services. [Easily one of the masterworks of rock and roll](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004BZ0N/104-6600694-5843136?v=glance) [The Clash -London Calling.](http://www.nudeasthenews.com/reviews/1163) > [@](#): > > The statement album for the Clash, the album they had to make in order to survive – even if it meant alienating their hardcore fan base that wanted the band to remain true to their punk roots. > > The album that had such an impact on rock music in general that Rolling Stone named it the Number One album of the 1980s, edging out such best-sellers and better-known albums like Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA, and U2’s The Joshua Tree. Such an impact, in fact, that the very same Album of the 1980s won similar accolades for the 1970s – as London Calling was officially released in 1979. > > But hey, that’s appropriate. Because as a double album, London Calling was the end of one era and marked the beginning of another. It’s not often that two decades can lay claim to the same album, but London Calling is far from an ordinary record. > > The album is both revered and despised by long-time Clash fans, as it introduced the band to the mainstream for the first time, but did so on their terms. Long-time punk kids resented that “Train In Vain,” the band’s first top-20 single, was, well, a top-20 single. But at the same time, the song was not listed on the album sleeve, frustrating the Johnny-come-latelys who just wanted to buy the record for that tune. > > So yes, London Calling is a bit of a paradox, and 25 years later, the album remains a lightening rod for rock history. As much as the Ramones’ first album signaled the beginning of punk rock, London Calling signaled the end, and the Clash was the most appropriate band to deliver the eulogy. > > In fact, London Calling is simply that, a eulogy. A eulogy to punk, a eulogy on society, hell, it even contains a eulogy to actor Montgomery Clift in “The Right Profile.” The end of punk and the '70s, as everyone knows, meant the beginning of the Reagan-Thatcher years, two hard-nosed conservatives whose thoughts and beliefs did not exactly mesh with the liberal-tinted world view of the Clash. [BBC Timeline](http://www.64-baker-street.org/organisations/orgs_the_bbc_timeline.html) > [@](#): > > This is London calling… 2LO calling… > > 1922 May First broadcast of station 2LO in London is made from a 100W transmitter on the top floor of Marconi House, Strand. > > Talks begin to form a UK broadcasting syndicate, which will end in formation of the British Broadcasting Company. > > October British Broadcasting Company Ltd founded after the govenment issued the six major radio manufacturers to form the radio station. > > Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) makes the first Royal broadcast from York House via 2LO. > > November BBC’s radio station 2LO officially opened and begins daily transmissions broadcasting from Marconi House, Strand. > > December John Reith (later Lord Reith) appointed General Manager. > > The total staff at the BBC is four (4). > > First daily news bulletin and the first ‘talk’ are broadcast. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/7 "2005-02-13T17:12:46Z")
> [@Scruloose](#): > > … and I believe BBC broadcasting would air coded messages for the benefit of resistance fighters and deep operatives. True and the messages were weird. The announcer would talk on and on with things like: “Aunt Matilda and Uncle Josiah will be going to Stoke-on-Trent day after tomorrow.” “The gray cat was sitting on the window sill this morning.” “Winds from the east is very cold these days but I have a warm coat so I’m not bothered by that.” This went on for half hour or so at a time, several times a day. Most of the messages were junk for the purpose of giving enemy code breakers so much information that they would have a tough time analysing it all and the real messages buried in the junk would have a better chance of not being uncovered. To continue the hijack. In the book _The Longest Day_, Cornelius Ryan wrote that on 4 June one of these messages was picked up by a German listening station and decyphered. It was a message to all resistance and clandestine operatives on the Continent and stated that the invasion would take place within 24 hours. The message was passed on to higher headquarters and to Berlin. When the invasion did not take place within the time stated the German high command relaxed. And when the invasion actually did occur on the 6th, Hitler was so sure that the area around Calais was the intended target of any invasion the landings in Normandy were discounted as a mere diversionary raid. The reports from the field of “thousands of ships from horizon to horizon” were dismissed as panic on the part of inexperienced troops on the site. This is an excellent illustration of the perils of interpreting intelligence information through the lens of preconceived assumptions about the enemy’s intentions. ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/8 "2005-02-13T17:27:52Z")
[sidejack] **David Simmons** , were you stationed in England back then? If so, I’m just curious about how often you got to listen to BBC radio, and how often did you hear the term “This is London Calling”. What was normally played or aired when they weren’t sending out the coded messages? Any direct messages to the Germans telling them to give up their fight? Thanks for any insight. [/sidejack] ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/9 "2005-02-13T17:37:25Z")
I was in France but the messages were still being broadcast to operatives in occupied areas of Belgium, Luxemburg and The Netherlands. We listened to the BBC regularly, but I don’t specifically recall the phrase. Axis Sally was another favorite because she played good music. Sometimes the intros were a hoot. The Glen Miller band had a popular recording entitled _Pennsylvania Six, Five, Oh Oh Oh_ which, I think, was the telephone number for the Pennsylvania RR Station. Anyway, it was always announced as "Pennsylvania Sixty Five Thousand. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/10 "2005-02-13T18:18:29Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > I was in France but the messages were still being broadcast to operatives in occupied areas of Belgium, Luxemburg and The Netherlands. > > We listened to the BBC regularly, but I don’t specifically recall the phrase. Axis Sally was another favorite because she played good music. Sometimes the intros were a hoot. The Glen Miller band had a popular recording entitled _Pennsylvania Six, Five, Oh Oh Oh_ which, I think, was the telephone number for the Pennsylvania RR Station. Anyway, it was always announced as "Pennsylvania Sixty Five Thousand. And the BBC still haven’t learnt their lesson to this day. Click on the MP3 link in the box. [http://groovetown.co.uk/songs/displaysong.php?id=482&PHPSESSID=e02415659c891b2f5384a00bb5454185](http://groovetown.co.uk/songs/displaysong.php?id=482&PHPSESSID=e02415659c891b2f5384a00bb5454185) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/11 "2005-02-13T18:26:13Z")
> [@David Simmons](#): > > I was in France but the messages were still being broadcast to operatives in occupied areas of Belgium, Luxemburg and The Netherlands. > > We listened to the BBC regularly, but I don’t specifically recall the phrase. Axis Sally was another favorite because she played good music. Sometimes the intros were a hoot. The Glen Miller band had a popular recording entitled _Pennsylvania Six, Five, Oh Oh Oh_ which, I think, was the telephone number for the Pennsylvania RR Station. Anyway, it was always announced as "Pennsylvania Sixty Five Thousand. Is “Pennsylvania 6-5000” pronounced as “Pennsylvania six five-thousand” not the name of the song? Because that’s what they sing in it. (Alternating with Pennsylvania Six Five Oh Oh Oh." At any rate, I’ve always called it and heard it called “Pennsylvania Six Five-Thousand,” but this wouldn’t be the first time I screwed up a song title. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/12 "2005-02-13T18:32:30Z")
On the German side there was a group on English speakers broadcasting to Britain. There " call sign " was _Germany calling, Germany calling_ One of these broadcaster was the Irish American William Joyce who was given the title Lord Haw Haw . This was because it sounded as though he was an aristocrat. In reality he sounded that way because of a broken nose suffered in a punch-up during a pre-war fascist march in London. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/13 "2005-02-13T19:42:47Z")
“Pennsylvania Six-Five-Thousand” is the phone number of the Pennsylvania Hotel in NYC. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/14 "2005-02-13T20:00:05Z")
I called the Pennsylvania Hotel a couple of years back. I wasn’t thinking about Glenn Miller but when you call their number you hear an excerpt from the song. They’ve been using the same number since 1919; apparently it’s the longest existing phone number in the world. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/15 "2005-02-13T23:37:51Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Is “Pennsylvania 6-5000” pronounced as “Pennsylvania six five-thousand” not the name of the song? Because that’s what they sing in it. (Alternating with Pennsylvania Six Five Oh Oh Oh." > > At any rate, I’ve always called it and heard it called “Pennsylvania Six Five-Thousand,” but this wouldn’t be the first time I screwed up a song title. The title could be _Pennsylvania Six Five-Thousand_ but it is most definitely **not** _Pennsylvania Sixty Five Thousand._ ---
**Author:** ![Crandolph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Crandolph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crandolph)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/16 "2005-02-13T23:55:20Z")
“London Calling” is also the first song of the _London Calling_ double LP; [here](http://guitar.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/1028/lyr%5Flondon%5Fcalling.html%23LondonCall) is the lyric. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/17 "2005-02-14T03:54:14Z")
And one last word. Hotel Pennsylvania is across the street from Penn Station. I knew there was a connection because I remember an interview with Ray McKinley in which Penn Station was mentioned. He probably said that the phone was for the Hotel, ‘right across from Penn Station’ or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/18 "2005-02-14T22:07:54Z")
[http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=2527](http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=2527) I had always thought that the phrase, “I live by the river” was actually meant to refer to a very specific time and social issue, where yuppies were buying up expensive flats around this area whilst others were also living destitute in the same area, so the vocalist could be either. More a comment on some Thatcherite values, and something of a wordplay on the London doomday scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-meaning-of-london-calling/289869/19 "2005-02-15T02:26:12Z")
> [@Jinx](#): > > A few years ago, I guess, there were ads using this slogan (or moniker?) about “London Calling”, but what the heck does that mean and/or to what does/did it refer? What is alluding to some reality TV show, or something? > > Pop culture - the ultimate oximoron! > > - Jinx To answer your question, Jaguar used the Clash song in a “London Calling” ad campain a few years back. They even produced a CD that had London Calling plus 10 or so other 80s English tunes on it. I have a copy at home somewhere.