The Clash never had a chart-topping album or single in the U.S. and only one at home in Britain. “Should I Stay or Should I Go” went to number-one when it was reissued there in 1991, nearly a decade after its original release. In this interview, guitarist Mick Jones — who sang the song on Combat Rock, his final album with the group — explained what happened.

“It was a pretty strange situation, because the record company wanted to release it and it was released and sort of went to number-one in this country. I don’t know, it was pretty nice to have a number-one, but the problem was that I think it was probably about eight years too late, because the group had already split up. I mean, it’d probably have helped us out a lot more if it’d been a hit while we were still together.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Mick Jones of The Clash Celebrates 65 today
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