I fought the law
Brian Setzer Orchestra/Stray Cats Lyrics
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I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Well I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Well I miss my baby and I feel so bad
She's the best friend I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Well I'm robbin' people with a six gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Well I miss my baby and the good fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Well I miss my baby and I feel so bad
I guess my race is run
She's the best friend I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
The Brian Setzer Orchestra/Stray Cats’s song “I Fought the Law” is a cover of the 1960s hit by The Bobby Fuller Four. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is desperate for money and turns to robbery with a six-gun. He gets caught by the law and “fights” against them, but ultimately loses the battle and is sent to prison. The song is a classic rebellion anthem, with the singer's defiance of the law and authority resulting in his downfall.
The first line of the song “breaking rocks in the hot sun” is a reference to hard labor in a penitentiary. This was a popular form of punishment in the 1960s and was immortalized in popular media. The singer's desperation for money seems to stem from his love for his partner, as he misses her and feels bad when he is away from her. The lyrics show how far he is willing to go to support her, even if it means breaking the law and risking his own freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaking rocks in the hot sun
I was doing hard labor in the blazing sun
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
Well I needed money 'cause I had none
I committed a crime because I was broke
I missed my baby and I feel so bad
I was upset and lonely without my girlfriend
I guess my race is run
I am doomed to suffer the punishment for my misdeeds
She's the best friend I ever had
My girlfriend is the most important person to me
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
Well I'm robbin' people with a six gun
I committed a violent crime to get what I wanted
I missed my baby and the good fun
I was upset and lonely without my girlfriend and the good times we had
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law and suffered the consequences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sonny Curtis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@63DW89A
While the Bobby Fuller Four recording remains the definitive version, this Stray Cats version is second ONLY to the Bobby Fuller Four! 5 Stars full for the Stray Cats!
@MrMViceroy
My favourite version, it combines the better musical elements of the Bobby Fuller Four's version with the faster pace of The Clash's version.
@ibuprofen303
+MrMViceroy
Yeah well said, man. You nailed it.
@flabbybum9562
Agreed. Best version out there.
@uberschnilthegreat22
@Greg Hubbard a bit extreme but ok.
@stephanoconnor4823
Buddy holly and clash is a great version
@graemesmellie5223
Wow bloody hell absolutely amazing brilliant love the Stray Cats and this has got to be the best version of this song EVER
@AnitaVickers-ey2nw
Go go Stray Cats this version is great . You can't beat the best rockabilly band in the world yesss Stray Cats.
@AmericanSoldierSioux1969
What a great cover version of this classic Bobby Fuller Four song! Love it!
And all I thought Stray Cats accomplished was Stray Cat Strut and Rock This Town but never knew of this one. And yes, I'm aware Stray Cats had a lot of hits, but my favorites were the two I mentioned.
@jartsipeksi2131
Actually Buddy Holly did this at first