"Clash City Rockers" was written by singer Joe Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones, the de facto lead writing duo for The Clash, and the lyrics continue many of the themes of their first self-titled album, encouraging the listener to rebel against authority and avoid the trap of a dead-end job ("So don't complain about your useless employment, jack it in forever tonight"). As an alternative the song suggests making the most of your life and not let anything or anyone stop you ("Or burn down the suburbs with the half-closed eyes, you won't succeed unless you try"). It also includes a bold statement of defiance against the band's critics, stating "You better leave town if you only wanna knock us, nothing stands the pressure of the clash city rockers!"
The middle section of this song is based musically on the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons," and the lyrics feature references to Australian R&B band The Groove ("the bells of the Groove") David Bowie ("the bells of Old Bowie"), Gary Glitter ("the bells of Gary Glitter") and Prince Far-I ("the bells of Prince Far-I"). The Clash were always quick to acknowledge the Jamaican reggae artist Prince Far-I as a big influence, particularly his 1976 album Under Heavy Manners.
The song was recorded in CBS Studios London in late 1977 as a follow-up non-album single release after the success of "Complete Control" in September 1977. According to reports, the sessions were fractious, with Mick Jones and bassist Paul Simonon having had a massive argument at the end of the Get Out of Control tour. With the two men not on speaking terms, Joe Strummer had to shuttle between the two, relaying instructions on how the song went and what to play.
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