Should I Stay or Should I Go

Last updated

Original release

"Should I Stay or Should I Go"
Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash 1991 rerelease.png
Standard artwork for 1991 re-release
Single by the Clash
from the album Combat Rock
Released
  • 17 September 1982
  • 18 February 1991 (re-release)
Recorded1981 [1]
Genre
Length3:06
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) The Clash
The Clash singles chronology
"Rock the Casbah"
(1982)
"Should I Stay or Should I Go" / "Straight to Hell"
(1982)
"This Is England"
(1985)

"Return to Brixton"
(1991)

""Should I Stay or Should I Go" (rerelease)"
(1991)

""Rock the Casbah" (rerelease)"
(1991)
Chart (1982–1983)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [28] 37
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [29] 40
Ireland (IRMA) [30] 16
UK Singles (OCC) [13] 17
US Billboard Hot 100 [12] 45
US Billboard Top Tracks [31] 13
US Cash Box [32] 63

Reissue

Weekly charts

Chart (1991–1992)Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [33] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [34] 3
Denmark (IFPI) [35] 6
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles) [36] 4
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [37] 5
France (SNEP) [38] 25
Germany (GfK) [39] 5
Greece (IFPI) [40] 9
Ireland (IRMA) [30] 2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [41] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [42] 3
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [43] 2
Norway (VG-lista) [44] 3
Portugal (AFP) [45] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [46] 6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [47] 4
UK Singles (OCC) [17] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1991)Rank
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [48] 38
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles) [49] 21
Germany (Official German Charts) [50] 31
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [51] 43
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [52] 52
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [53] 21
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [54] 19
Chart (1992)Rank
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [55] 17

Download

Chart (2012)Peak
position
France (SNEP) [38] 165
Chart (2013)Peak
position
France (SNEP) [38] 152

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [56] Gold45,000
Germany (BVMI) [57] Gold250,000
Italy (FIMI) [58] 2× Platinum140,000
New Zealand (RMNZ) [59] Gold5,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [60] 2× Platinum120,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [61] 2× Platinum1,200,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Clash</span> English punk rock band

The Clash were an English rock band that formed in London in 1976 and were key players in the original wave of British punk rock. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they used elements of reggae, dub, funk, ska, and rockabilly, and they contributed to the post-punk and new wave movements that followed punk. For most of their recording career, the Clash consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer, lead guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, and drummer Nicky "Topper" Headon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bohemian Rhapsody</span> 1975 single by Queen

"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, A Night at the Opera (1975). Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, the song is a six-minute suite, notable for its lack of a refraining chorus and consisting of several sections: an intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock part and a reflective coda. It is one of the few progressive rock songs of the 1970s to have proved accessible to a mainstream audience.

<i>Combat Rock</i> 1982 studio album by the Clash

Combat Rock is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Clash, released on 14 May 1982 through CBS Records. In the United Kingdom, the album charted at number 2, spending 23 weeks in the UK charts and peaked at number 7 in the United States, spending 61 weeks on the chart. The album was propelled by drummer Topper Headon's "Rock the Casbah" which became a staple on the newly launched MTV. Combat Rock continued the influence of funk and reggae like previous Clash albums, but also featured a more radio-friendly sound which alienated Clash fans. While the recording process went smoothly, the producing process of the album was tiring and full of infighting between Mick Jones and Joe Strummer. Headon's heroin addiction grew worse and he slowly became distant from the band while Strummer and bassist Paul Simonon reinstated Bernie Rhodes as manager, a move unwelcomed by Jones. The band had disagreed on the creative process of the album and called in Glyn Johns to produce the more radio-friendly sound of Combat Rock. Lyrically, Combat Rock focuses on the Vietnam War, postcolonialism, the decline of American society, and authoritarianism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush (Big Audio Dynamite II song)</span> 1991 single by Big Audio Dynamite II

"Rush" is a song by English band Big Audio Dynamite II from their fifth album, The Globe (1991). A longer version of "Rush", entitled "Change of Atmosphere", had previously appeared on the group's 1990 album Kool-Aid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellen Foley</span> American singer and actress (born 1951)

Ellen Foley is an American singer and actress who has appeared on Broadway and television, where she co-starred in the hit NBC sitcom Night Court during its second season. In music, she has released five solo albums, but she is best known for her collaborations with rock singer Meat Loaf, particularly the 14× Platinum selling 1977 album Bat Out of Hell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock the Casbah</span> 1982 single by The Clash

"Rock the Casbah" is a song by the English punk rock band The Clash, released in 1982 as the second single from their fifth album, Combat Rock. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US and, along with the track "Mustapha Dance", it also reached number eight on the dance chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eye of the Tiger</span> 1982 single by Survivor

"Eye of the Tiger" is a song by the American rock band Survivor. It was written as the theme song for the 1982 film Rocky III and released that year as a single from Survivor's third album, Eye of the Tiger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)</span> 1965 single by the Four Tops

"I Can't Help Myself" is a 1965 song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Clash discography</span>

The discography of the British punk rock band the Clash consists of six studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums and 31 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Than Words</span> 1991 single by Extreme

"More Than Words" is a song by American rock band Extreme. It is a ballad featuring acoustic guitar work by Nuno Bettencourt and the vocals of Gary Cherone. They both wrote the song, which was produced by Michael Wagener and represented a departure from the band's usual funk metal style. "More Than Words" was released as the third single from the band's second album, Pornograffitti (1990), on March 12, 1991 by A&M Records. It was a number one hit in the United States, where it was certified gold, as well as in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The music video for the song was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stars on 45 (song)</span> Single by Stars on 45

"Stars on 45" is a song medley issued in January 1981 by Dutch studio group Stars on 45. In some countries, including the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, the band was credited as 'Starsound' and only the medley itself was named "Stars on 45".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Dance</span> 1991 single by Genesis

"I Can't Dance" is the fourth track from English rock band Genesis' 14th studio album, We Can't Dance (1991) and was released in December 1991 as the second single from the record. Lyrics were composed by drummer Phil Collins with music written collectively by the band. The song peaked at number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart and also received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals at 1993. In Europe, the song reached number one in Belgium and the Netherlands, while peaking within the top five in Austria, Germany and Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piece of My Heart</span> 1967 single by Erma Franklin

"Piece of My Heart" is a romantic soul song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns, originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. Franklin's single peaked in December 1967 at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Joker (Steve Miller Band song)</span> 1973 song by Steve Miller Band

"The Joker" is a song by American rock band Steve Miller Band from their eighth studio album, The Joker (1973). Released as a single in October 1973, the song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1974 and reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Know What Love Is</span> 1984 song by Foreigner

"I Want to Know What Love Is" is a power ballad by the British-American rock band Foreigner. It was released in November 1984 as the love theme and lead single from their fifth album, Agent Provocateur. The song reached number one in both the United Kingdom and the United States and is the group's biggest hit to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here I Go Again</span> 1982 single by Whitesnake

"Here I Go Again" is a song by the British rock band Whitesnake. It was originally released on their 1982 album, Saints & Sinners through Liberty in October 1982. The song was written by David Coverdale and Bernie Marsden, and produced by Martin Birch. The song was written for Coverdale's troubling marriage with his first wife, Julia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If I Were a Carpenter (song)</span> 1960s song by Tim Hardin

"If I Were a Carpenter" is a folk song written by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and re-recorded with commercial success by various artists including Bobby Darin, The Four Tops and Johnny Cash. Hardin's own recording of the piece appeared on his 1967 album Tim Hardin 2. It was one of two songs from that release performed by Hardin at Woodstock in 1969. The song, believed by some to be about male romantic insecurity, is rumored to have been inspired by his love for actress Susan Morss, as well as the construction of Hardin's recording studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centerfold (song)</span> 1981 single by The J. Geils Band

"Centerfold" is a song by the J. Geils Band, released in September 1981 as the lead single from their tenth album Freeze Frame. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in February 1982 and held that spot for six consecutive weeks, becoming the most successful single of the group's career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Here, Right Now (Jesus Jones song)</span> 1990 single by Jesus Jones

"Right Here, Right Now" is a song by British alternative rock band Jesus Jones from their second studio album, Doubt (1991). It was released as the album's second single on 24 September 1990. Although it spent only nine nonconsecutive weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 31, it became a top-10 hit in the United States; it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1991. The single sold over one million copies, won a BMI award, and was the song most played on college radio in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inside (Stiltskin song)</span> 1994 single by Stiltskin

"Inside" is a song by Scottish rock band Stiltskin, the first single from their first studio album, The Mind's Eye. It was written by Peter Lawlor for the British Levi's advert "Creek". "Inside" is a post-grunge song with lyrics about escaping oppression and based around Plato's allegory of the cave. All instruments on the recording were played by Peter Lawlor, and lead vocals were provided by Ray Wilson, who would become the new Genesis singer after the departure of Phil Collins. The introductory chorus is sung by the Ambrosian Singers.

References

  1. "The Brexit Vote Is the Perfect Excuse to Revisit This Song by the Clash". Time . 23 June 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  2. Rowley, Scott (13 September 2017). "The Clash Albums Ranked from Worst to Best – The Ultimate Guide". Classic Rock . Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  3. Donati Jorge, Fernando (26 March 2019). "Modeling (Punk) Decisions: Should I Stay or Should I Go?". Medium . Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  4. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Clash – Combat Rock". AllMusic . Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 Gray 2004, p. 376.
  6. "Little Latin Lupe Lu". Billboard Database. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  7. "The Kingsmen". Billboard. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 "The Uncut Crap – Over 56 Things You Never Knew About the Clash". NME. Vol. 3. London. 16 March 1991. ISSN   0028-6362. OCLC   4213418. 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' was written by Mick about American singer Ellen Foley, who sang the backing vocals on Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell LP.
  9. Clash on Broadway Box Set liner notes (Media notes). Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
  10. Moser, Margaret (22 May 2000). "Music: Lubbock Calling (Austin Chronicle. 05-22-00)". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 22 November 2007 via Weekly Wire.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Strong, Martin C. (2006). "The Clash". The Essential Rock Discography. p. 208. ISBN   978-184195-860-6.
  12. 1 2 "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 37. 18 September 1982. p. 66. ISSN   0006-2510.
  13. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  14. 1 2 3 Gray 2004, p. 458.
  15. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 16 February 1991. p. vi.
  16. Zadeh, Joe (4 August 2011). "Jean Spirit: The Music Behind Levi's Adverts". Clash (magazine). Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  18. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 524–5. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  19. The Clash's official music video for 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' on YouTube
  20. "New Live Clash Album and DVD". Ultimate-Guitar.com. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  21. Du Noyer, Paul (1997). "The Music – Singles". Modern Icons: The Clash. Virgin Publishing. p. 79. ISBN   0-312-17939-1.
  22. "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1-500)". Rolling Stone. 29 December 2004. Archived from the original on 25 October 2006.
  23. Winistorfer, Andrew (5 January 2009). "VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list only slightly less annoying than their hip-hop list". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  24. Gracyk, Theodore (2007). "Clearing Space for Aesthetic Value". Listening to Popular Music or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Led Zeppelin . Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press. p.  65. ISBN   978-0-472-06983-5. LCCN   2006032063.
  25. Wyman, Bill (October 2017). "All 139 the Clash Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best". Vulture. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  26. Bychawski, Adam (29 September 2012). "One Direction respond to claims they ripped off the Clash on 'Live While We're Young'". NME. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  27. Petridis, Alexis (8 November 2012). "One Direction: Take Me Home – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  28. "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  29. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6196." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  30. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Should I Stay or Should I Go". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  31. "Rock Albums & Top Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 35. 4 September 1982. p. 33. ISSN   0006-2510.
  32. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending MARCH 26, 1983". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
  33. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  34. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  35. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 19. 11 May 1991. p. 19. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  36. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 18. 4 May 1991. p. 25. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  37. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  38. 1 2 3 "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  39. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  40. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 19. 11 May 1991. p. 19. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  41. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 16, 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  42. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  43. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  44. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go". VG-lista. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  45. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 24. 15 June 1991. p. 22. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  46. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  47. "The Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  48. "Jaaroverzichten 1991" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  49. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles: 1991" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1989. p. 21. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  50. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts: 1991". Offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Archived from the original on 9 May 2015.
  51. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1991" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  52. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1991" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  53. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991". Hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  54. "Chart Archive – 1990s Singles". everyHit.com. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  55. "End of Year Charts 1992". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  56. "Danish single certifications – The Clash – Should I Stay or Should I Go". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  57. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Clash; 'Should I Stay or Should I Go')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  58. "Italian single certifications – The Clash – Should I Stay or Should I Go" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  59. "New Zealand single certifications – The Clash – Should I Stay or Should I Go". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  60. "Spanish single certifications – The Clash – Should I Stay or Should I Go". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España . Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  61. "British single certifications – Clash – Should I Stay or Should I Go". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 2 February 2024.

Bibliography