The Cost of Living (EP)

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The Cost of Living

EP by

the Clash

Released

11 May 1979

Recorded

1979

Studio

Wessex, London

Genre

Punk rock

Length

13:01

Label

CBS

Producer

Bill Price
The Clash

The Clash EP chronology

Capital Radio
(1977)

The Cost of Living
(1979)

Black Market Clash
(1980)

Singles from The Cost of Living

"I Fought the Law"
Released: 26 July 1979 (US)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]

The Cost of Living is an EP by the English punk rock band the Clash. It was released on 11 May 1979 in a gatefold sleeve. The EP was produced by the band and Bill Price. It marked a transition in musical styles for the band, bridging the intensity of their earlier, punky albums with the broader, more American influenced rock and roll yet to come on London Calling, most evident on the folk rocking "Groovy Times" and "Gates of the West".

The Clash's cover of Sonny Curtis' "I Fought the Law" became one of the definitive recordings of the song, and remained in the band's live set list for much of the rest of their career. Joe Strummer also performed it with his later bands, including during his stint with The Pogues. The early single "Capital Radio" was re-recorded because the band learned that copies of the original Capital Radio EP were selling for high prices. "Capital Radio", later listed as "Capital Radio Two", is much longer, mainly because of a protracted outro.

"Gates of the West" clearly describes the ecstasy of the Clash in their first encounter with the United States: "Eastside Jimmy & Southside Sue both said they needed something new". "From Camden Town Station to 44th & 8th" describes their journey from their London neighbourhood to the middle of Manhattan.

It was recorded at Wessex Studios in Highbury in London,^[2] and features "extra high vocal" credited to Dennis Ferranti and harmonica credited to "Bob Jones" (a pseudonym of Mick Jones).

Track listing

All songs written by Strummer/Jones except where noted.

Side one

"I Fought the Law" (Sonny Curtis) – 2:40
"Groovy Times" – 3:25

Side two

"Gates of the West" – 3:26
"Capital Radio" – 4:05
"The Cost of Living Advert" (only on original vinyl and Japanese version of the singles box set)

Charts

Chart (1979)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)^[3]	24
UK Singles (OCC)^[4]	22

References

^ Gallucci, Michael. Cost of Living – The Clash at AllMusic. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
^ Michie, Chris (15 November 2017). "Classic Tracks: The Clash's "London Calling"". Mix magazine. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I FOUGHT THE LAW". Irish Singles Chart.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.

v t e The Clash
Joe Strummer Mick Jones Paul Simonon Topper Headon Terry Chimes Keith Levene Rob Harper Pete Howard Nick Sheppard Vince White
Studio albums	The Clash Give 'Em Enough Rope London Calling Sandinista! Combat Rock Cut the Crap
Live albums	From Here to Eternity: Live Live at Shea Stadium
Compilations	Black Market Clash The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 1977 Revisited Clash on Broadway The Singles (1991) Super Black Market Clash The Essential Clash Singles Box The Singles (2007) Sound System The Clash Hits Back 5 Album Studio Set
Extended plays	Capital Radio The Cost of Living
Singles	"White Riot" "Remote Control" "Complete Control" "Clash City Rockers" "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" "Tommy Gun" "English Civil War" "I Fought the Law" "Groovy Times" "London Calling" "Clampdown" "Train in Vain" "Bankrobber" "The Call Up" "Hitsville U.K." "The Magnificent Seven" "This Is Radio Clash" "Know Your Rights" "Should I Stay or Should I Go" "Rock the Casbah" "Straight to Hell" "This Is England" "Return to Brixton"
Other songs	"Career Opportunities" "Capital Radio One" "Garageland" "I'm So Bored with the USA" "Janie Jones" "London's Burning" "Police and Thieves" "Jail Guitar Doors" "Brand New Cadillac" "Death or Glory" "Lost in the Supermarket" "Revolution Rock" "Rudie Can't Fail" "Spanish Bombs" "Junco Partner" "Washington Bullets" "Overpowered by Funk"
Films	Rude Boy Concert for Kampuchea Westway to the World Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten London Town
Related articles	Discography Songs Band members The 101ers London SS Public Image Ltd Big Audio Dynamite Havana 3am The Latino Rockabilly War The Pogues The Mescaleros Carbon/Silicon The Good, the Bad & the Queen Gorillaz Spirit of St. Louis Rock Against Racism The Joe Strummer Foundation Bernard Rhodes Don Letts Alex Michon Caroline Coon Sandy Pearlman Guy Stevens Kosmo Vinyl Mick Gallagher Norman Watt-Roy Tymon Dogg Mikey Dread Ellen Foley Futura 2000
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