Although this jazz-blues song is credited to Joe Strummer (lyrics) and Mick Jones (music), it’s no stretch to imagine that Topper Headon, who had a background in jazz, had some influence. The song is said to have derived from jam sessions during the band’s workup for this album. Strummer’s semi-improvised lyrics place the listener in the middle of a film noir-like world obliquely telling the story of Jimmy Jazz, an outlaw on the run from the police and Jimmy Dread. Or is Jimmy Dread an alias for Jimmy Jazz?

The song is perhaps the most radical departure from the punk genre on the album and appearing as the third song on the album reinforces the notion that the band was not going to be restricted any longer. Its first live performances (prior to the album) caused bewilderment among music writers. Mick Jones even introduced the song in Chicago with a mocking “This is the Home of the Blues, right?”

But while it may be different from any other prior Clash song, it does share some similarities with other London Calling cuts via references to film noir, violent films, “bad man” ballads and rude boy reggae. This also continues the jittery police paranoia that hangs over some of the songs in the album.

The song reflects the line “I feel like a soldier / look like a thief” as the band attempts to maintain their punk ideals while appropriating other genres and styles into their music.