Following the end of the Clash, Joe spent a period moving from project to project. He acted in films like Walker and Straight to Hell, and OF COURSE his most unforgettable role as the awesome Johnny aka Elvis in the Jim Jarmusch masterpiece, "Mystery Train." He even sang for The Pogues after Shane MacGowan bizarrely quit/was sacked on the Hell's Ditch tour.
Finally, in the mid-to-late 1990s, Strummer gathered top-flight musicians into a backing band he called The Mescaleros. Strummer and the band signed with the Californian punk label Hellcat Records, and issued a stunning album in 1999, which was co-written with Anthony Genn, called Rock Art and the X-Ray Style. A tour of England and North America soon followed; sets included several Clash fan favourites. In 2001 the band released their second album, "Global A Go-Go". The album was supported with a 21-date tour of North America, Britain, and Ireland. Once again, these concerts featured Clash material ("London Calling", "Rudie Can't Fail," "White Man in Hammersmith Palais"), as well as classic covers of reggae hits ("The Harder They Come", "A Message To You, Rudie") and the band regularly closed the show with a nod to the late Joey Ramone by playing The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop".
I fought the law
Joe Strummer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Left my baby and it feels so bad
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
Hey-oh
Robbin' people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
Left my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
She's the best girl that I ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
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
"I Fought the Law" is a punk rock classic originally written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets in 1958. Joe Strummer and The Clash popularized the song with their 1979 cover. The song is a confession of a criminal who has been caught by the law. The lyrics depict the singer's experience of breaking rocks, robbing people with a six-gun, and needing money. He has lost his girl and his fun, and he feels terrible about it. He goes on to express his frustration and confess that he fought the law, but the law won. The lyrics are straightforward and don't leave much to interpretation, making it an excellent punk rock anthem.
The song has become a staple of popular culture with its use in television, film, and advertising. It has been featured in movies such as "Tank Girl" and "Four Rooms," and television shows like "Breaking Bad" and "The Wire." The song's refrain, "I fought the law and the law won," has become a catchphrase and has been featured on t-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise.
Line by Line Meaning
Breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I was doing hard labor under intense heat
I fought the law and the law won
I tried to go against the law, but the law ended up prevailing over me
I needed money 'cause I had none
I was broke and needed cash
Left my baby and it feels so bad
Leaving my significant other was a painful experience
Guess my race is run
I've reached the end of my rope
She's the best girl that I ever had
My ex-girlfriend was my greatest love
Robbin' people with a six-gun
I was committing armed robbery
I lost my girl and I lost my fun
Not only did I lose my significant other, but I also lost the joy in my life
I fought the law and the
I continued to fight against the law, but there was no resolution yet
Hey-oh
An interjection of encouragement or a way to grab attention
I fought the law and the law won
My battle against the law ultimately ended in defeat
I fought the law and the law won
No matter how hard I fought, the law still emerged victorious
I fought the law and the law won
I made a vain effort to fight the legal system and lost
I fought the law and the law won
The law proved to be too powerful for me to defeat
I fought the law and the law won
Despite my best efforts, the law emerged triumphant
I fought the law and the law won
I resisted the law to no avail
I fought the law and the law won
The law was able to defeat me in our conflict
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sonny Curtis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tolgay Arslan
What a man, real rockstar, punk rock warlord, best Turkish frontman! Great performance, we miss you Joe, rest in peace!
Chicken Sagittarius
Steve Barnard was definitely the best choice of drummer for that band, he was flawless with them, seen them live twice and he was just brilliant. Met Joe and Steve the second time and both lovely people
Kentigern Kane
I know it's not Joe's song, but he so owns the 2.52secs. Perfect with all the imperfections.
Chicken Sagittarius
The clash made it their own, it's certainly my favourite version, I love the original too
Héber Bensi
Joe is so charismatic. You even see guys from other bands playing with him on final hahah
ThePurpleUFO
Joe always gave it everything he had.
Christian Baughn
Like his life depended on it!!!
Jerry ✔
i miss him even if i'm 23 yo. What a loss for music and for us. Have tears in my eyes watching this
GASTON FERRERO
This world needs a Joe Strummer, i miss him a lot. Salud from Argentina
William Throop
Awesome performance, Thanks!