The song is a
polemic on record companies, managers and the state of punk music itself, the motivation for the song being the band's label (
CBS Records) releasing "
Remote Control" without asking them, which infuriated the group. In 1999,
CBS Records reissued the single with a live version of "Complete Control". In 2004,
Rolling Stone rated the song as No. 361 on its list of the
500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is featured as a playable track in the video games
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and as DLC in
Rock Band.
The Guardian described it as "the high
watermark of the Clash’s punk period". In 1980, guitarist
Chuck Berry was asked to review some modern records by the
St. Louis Jet Lag fanzine. After reviewing the
Sex Pistols' "
God Save the Queen", the next song to be reviewed was "Complete Control", his review read: "Sounds like the first one. The rhythm and chording work well together. Did this guy have a sore throat when he sang the vocals?" ==Track listing==