The Clash’s “London Calling” and Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York New York” were recorded a matter of days apart in 1979; this is the story of the songs, their creators, interpreters, and the cities they connect. It’s also a personal journey though time and place.‘London. New York. When one city breathes out, the other breathes in.’
Here is the tale of how two popular songs from two different cultures, each with different meaning, and seemingly so different, represent two sides of a similar story. In telling the tale of each, the book touches on musical history, movies, nostalgia, mythmaking, family, crime, war, art, infidelity, and propaganda.Taking as its starting point the fact that The Clash’s “London Calling” and Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York New York” were recorded days apart in 1979, Peter criss-crosses the Atlantic over many decades, examining the almost biological connection between the cities, the songs, and their creators. Featuring a stellar cast of characters, including Peter’s old school pal Joe Strummer, Kander & Ebb, Martin Scorsese, Noel Coward, Frank Sinatra, and a supporting cast of adopted kids, lost parents, storied musicians, London chancers, and New York dancers.