The blue cover was issued in Canada to help differentiate between the original Canadian release in 1977 of the UK version (with a green cover) and the newer release of the US version of the album in 1979 (with a blue cover). There were two official releases from CBS Canada for the first album but the green cover UK lp was deleted in favour of the blue covered US version making the green cover Canadian LP quite rare. If you bought the tape or cd version in the 80s and it had a green cover, it was likely an import. I know they have re-released the green cover with the UK track listing in Canada on CD but I don't think this happened until the 90s.

this album is awesome

this is my favourite clash album.and im not trying to be offensive but i like the us version better than the uk version.just my opinion

While the production, by todays standards, is pretty awful, the songs and the subject matter are timeless, which serves to demonstrate why so many of todays bands continue to get it wrong on so many levels.
The political and social issues which forced messrs Strummer & Jones to write such classics as White Riot, Hate & War, Londons Burning and Career Opportunities are, sadly, still relevent. Unlike the garbage that today pollutes the airwaves. I doubt if such witty refrains as 'Now Then Mardy Bum' are still being celebrated in 30 years time.
Long live the Clash.

...for a first album. Great effort, espeacially considering the amount of time the band had been together prior. But the record industry moved much quicker and swifter back then. Now they're ending up like the dinosaurs.
Fifteen tracks, no one gets that these days for a first album, even a re-release!

I had emailed Sony (Canada) about this in the past with no reply. The Clash self-titled LP was released in Canada with a blue cover. I thought that it was also released with the blue cover on Compact Disc in the late 80s early 90s (?) but I may be confusing this with the cassette. Can anyone confirm this? I have not come across this on either eBay or the 2nd hand shops but swear I saw a copy but opted for the UK pressing. Also, it would be nice if Sony could put together a comprehensive catalogue of international pressings for Clash material for collectors (vinyl, cassettes, cds, 8-track, mini-disc - singles, eps, lps - all countries).

While this US version includes some of the great singles originally released after the release of the original UK album (but is missing a few songs from the UK version) -- I recommend gettting the UK version—an original punk classic. Then pick up the single-CD singles collection for the other stuff.

Having said that -- both versions are filled with great songs from start to finish.

--
The Clash Live! Veteran of 12 unforgettable shows, 1979-82.

Punk album with brains