John Mayall (born November 29, 1933) is a pioneering English blues singer, … Read Full Bio ↴John Mayall (born November 29, 1933) is a pioneering English blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboard player and harmonica player.

John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.

One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.

John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!

From:Wikipedia

The Laws Must Change
John Mayall Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The time must surely come

For the laws to fit the times

The time must surely come

For the laws to fit the times

But while the law is standing

You gotta open up your minds

It seems to be the fashion

To say you're right and they are wrong

It seems to be the fashion

To say you're right and they are wrong

But you gotta see both sides

You'll find yourself in jail 'fore long

You're screamin' at policemen

But they're only doin' a gig

You're screamin' at policemen

But they are only doin' a gig

Gotta try and take the time

To figure out how the issue got that big

Lenny Bruce was trying to tell you

Many things before he died

Lenny Bruce was trying to tell you

Many things before he died

Don't throw rocks at policemen

But get the knots of law untied

Every time you're holdin'

You are guilty of a crime

Every time you're holdin'

You are guilty of a crime

The laws must change one day

But it's goin' to take some time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of John Mayall's song "The Laws Must Change" express an urgent need for change in the legal system. Mayall sings that it's time for the laws to fit the times we live in, but as long as the law stands, we have to open up our minds. He urges us to consider both sides of each issue and not simply declare ourselves "right" while labeling others "wrong". Otherwise, we'll find ourselves in jail before long.

Mayall also speaks to the tension between the police and those who oppose them. He acknowledges that many people are angry with the police, but reminds us that they're just doing their job. Instead of throwing rocks at them, we need to figure out how the issue got so big in the first place. Mayall highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of the justice system, insisting that we can't simply blame the police for doing their job.

Finally, Mayall points out that simply holding something can make us guilty of a crime. The laws, however, must change one day, but that requires time and effort. Mayall's song is a call to action to those who long for a better and more just world in which the laws truly represent the people they are meant to serve.

Line by Line Meaning

The time must surely come
There will come a time in the future

For the laws to fit the times
when laws must change to match modern times

But while the law is standing
However, while these laws remain as they are

You gotta open up your minds
You must be open to other perspectives

It seems to be the fashion
It appears to be trendy and fashionable

To say you're right and they are wrong
To claim that your opinion is correct and oppose others

But you gotta see both sides
But you must look at both sides of the argument

You'll find yourself in jail 'fore long
Otherwise, you'll soon end up in prison

You're screamin' at policemen
You're shouting at cops

But they're only doin' a gig
But they're just doing their job

Gotta try and take the time
You must make an effort and take time