I fought the law
Crickets Lyrics
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I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I miss my baby and a good fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
A-robbin' people with the zip gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I left my baby and I feel so bad
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
In "I Fought The Law", Crickets describes a story of a lawbreaker who has been unsuccessful in his act of resistance to the law. The opening verses demonstrate the singer's harsh punishment of breaking rocks in the hot sun as a result of a crime he committed. The lyrics "I fought the law and the law won" showcase the singer's recognition of his defeat against the law. The second verse reveals the singer's regret for leaving his partner behind, realizing the gravity of his actions on himself and his loved ones. As the lyrics progress, we understand the singer's motive for the crime he committed. The phrase "I needed money ‘cause I had none" gives us an idea of the singer's thought process, depicting the struggles of the common man in society. The concluding lines, "She's the best girl that I've ever had, I fought the law and the law won", conclude the story with the singer realizing the consequences of his actions and acknowledging that he has lost against the law.
Line by Line Meaning
A-breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I was forced to perform hard labor in the blazing sun.
I fought the law and the law won
I tried to resist authority, but they were too powerful and defeated me.
I miss my baby and a good fun
I long for my lover and the pleasant times we shared.
I left my baby and I feel so bad
I abandoned my beloved and regret my actions.
Guess my race is run
I realize that my defeat is inevitable and my fate is sealed.
She's the best girl that I've ever had
My former partner was the most wonderful woman I have ever been with.
A-robbin' people with the zip gun
I resorted to stealing from others using a makeshift weapon.
I needed money 'cause I had none
I was desperate for cash because I had no funds.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SONNY CURTIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thgoatofalltime
A-breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I miss my baby and a good fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I left my baby and I feel so bad
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
A-robbin' people with the zip gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I needed money 'cause I had none
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I left my baby and I feel so bad
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I've ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Joe Palooka
I grew up on the Bobby Fuller version, but I love the Crickets original the best. It reflects a wonderful time in musical history, when Buddy Holly and the Crickets were enormously talented young guys growing up together and creating some of the greatest original music of all time. Sonny Curtis is a songwriting genius. Anyone who could write a song like this is a real talent. All the hit songs he wrote in later life just prove it even more.
Jackie Selvey
I rember them. Thanks
JumpingTomato
I agree. I grew up with The Clash version. But I just saw a music video of Bobby Fuller doing this song, and I love it.
Patrick Lemire
Sonny Curtis wrote it so this isn’t a cover
Amaruq's Scrapyard
The one song that seemingly compliments with a majority of rock genres. No matter what coat of paint a band gives it, it'll still sound fresh and lovely. Whether it'd be classic rock, surf rock, hard rock, punk rock, etc.
dave davis
that beats certainly got the snap of a nice peace of celery x I dig that x
Adrienne Maller
How I wish Buddy would have sang this song with the Crickets as his back-ups. R.I.P. ETERNALLY BUDDY. You were the best & just about to make the big time. You at least made a huge impact on some of the "greats" today.
Ready-Adhesiveness40
There's a great Sonny Curtis interview on YT - it's a bit long but has info about this song towards the end. I was born in 59 and it took me 60 years to finally hear the original and I'm not dissapointed. Never knew it as a Zip Gun, always thought it was a Six Gun. The fact that he used a zip gun makes the song even better, because they were more dangerous to the shooter than to the target. This is now my favorite, but there's been a few outstanding versions, Bobby Fuller and The Clash of course, but I've heard bands do inspired versions at local bars and clubs. A great first song for a young band to learn, and it always pleases an audience if done well.
Chuffpup
Yeah that interview is fascinating, got me back to this song too. Zip guns new to me as well... I know what it is though. I was born in 61, funny to think I was a punk. (Punk rock). Respect for Sonny Curtis, those boys were trail blazers.
FPS Alan
Ok this is the original one....
I came here because of video of jester arrested for parachuting jump from the bridge... The copyright song belongs to greenday... And the i look up theres a band called the clash n then look up again deeper i thought this song belongs to boby flour for... But somehow the crickets is the original one... This really fascinating to knew about the song that really get cover over2 m over 😂😂
Ok im editing this. This song belongs to sonny curtis apparently 🤣🤣