Train In Vain (Stand By Me)

The Clash

Excited to put two out there for Mick Jones before moving on from the Clash — he may not have had the swagger of Joe Strummer, but was such a major force in this band. You feel Mick’s hand in all their recordings and you have to wonder if he was the real MVP. Especially after hearing their last record without him ironically called CUT THE CRAP.

And whenever Mick Jones takes a lead vocal, you realize he could’ve done it a lot more often. This first one is the last track on their masterpiece LONDON CALLING — it’s a simple love song about loyalty, with a very inauspicious title. It’s another one of those heartbreaking songs about being let down in a relationship. But somehow the music still makes you feel good — it just sounds buoyant and fun. Sometimes calling someone out can be empowering and you really feel that energy here.

There’s only one thing I can say
Did you stand by me? No, not at all.