I fought the law
Crickets The 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
The song "I Fought The Law" by The Crickets is an iconic rock and roll classic that has been covered numerous times since its release in 1960. The lyrics tell the story of a man who has gone against the law and is paying the consequences. The first two lines state that the singer is "breakin' rocks in the hot sun," suggesting that he is in prison or doing hard labor as punishment for his crime. He then repeats the chorus, "I fought the law and the law won," emphasizing that he tried to fight the system but ultimately lost.
The next verse suggests that the singer is a romantic at heart and is lamenting the fact that he has lost his love due to his actions. He left his baby and feels remorseful for what he has done, realizing that his actions have cost him everything he cared for. The chorus is echoed once more, emphasizing that the law has won and he has paid the price for his mistakes.
The final verse refers to the singer's crime, which was robbing people with the use of a zip gun. He needed money but had none, so he turned to illegal means to acquire it. However, his actions have not only led to his imprisonment but also the loss of his love. The song ends with the repeated chorus, cementing the fact that trying to fight the law is ultimately futile.
Line by Line Meaning
A-breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I was imprisoned and forced to do hard labor.
I fought the law and the law won
I was caught breaking the law and punished accordingly.
I miss my baby and a good fun
I miss my loved one and the good times we had together.
I left my baby and I feel so bad
I feel guilty for leaving my loved one behind.
Guess my race is run
I know I have no chance of winning or succeeding.
She's the best girl that I've ever had
My loved one is the best person I've ever been with.
A-robbin' people with the zip gun
I resorted to crime to get what I needed.
I needed money 'cause I had none
I lacked the financial resources I needed to survive.
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 🤣🤣