Ness was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts and raised in Fullerton in Orange County, California. Kicked out of his parents' home in Fullerton at the age of fifteen, he dabbled in drugs and petty crime, involving himself in the punk scene and founding Social Distortion in 1978. The band signed a contract with Posh Boy Records in 1981, releasing the Mainliner/Playpen 7" record. Then the band moved to 13th Floor Records in 1982 and released the album Mommy's Little Monster (1982).
By this time, Ness's drug addiction and self-destructive behavior had deepened to the point that the band almost broke up. The turmoil was captured on a video, Another State of Mind, which chronicled a cross-country tour. Five years passed before Social Distortion released their next album, 1988's Prison Bound, on Restless Records but Ness emerged from the time off free of his addictions and ready to work.
In 1989, Social Distortion signed a deal with Epic Records and released four albums with that label: the self-titled album (1990), Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell (1992) and White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996).
The band left Epic Records after White Light, White Heat, White Trash (1996) and joined Time Bomb Recordings, releasing Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past (a collection of old recordings and singles that were done in the early '80s) and Live at the Roxy (1998).
In 1999, Ness released his first solo album, Cheating at Solitaire. Although Social Distortion's music had contained country inflections as far back as Prison Bound, Cheating at Solitaire was an unalloyed expression of Ness's country side. 'Solitaire' included guest appearances by rock icon Bruce Springsteen, former Stray Cat Brian Setzer and drumming legend Josh Freese as well as members of Royal Crown Revue. Springsteen had touted Social D's 'Heaven and Hell' as his favorite record of the year in a Rolling Stone interview in 1992. Ness continued in this vein, releasing a compilation of country covers entitled Under the Influences that same year. Both albums came out on Time Bomb Recordings. Ness toured extensively in the U.S. in support of these albums, backed partially by the present-day (2006) incarnation of Social Distortion; Charlie Quintana (drums) Brent Harding (standing & electric bass) and Johnny Wickersham (guitar tech). Ness and the band played at Woodstock '99. After that, his bandmate and guitarist Dennis Danell died on February 29, 2000 due to an aneurysm, but Social Distortion did not completely disband.
In 2004, Social Distortion came back with a live DVD called "Live In Orange County," and then recorded an album titled Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll, which was released on Time Bomb Recordings. These efforts marked the first recordings with a line up consisting of Ness on Guitar and vocals, Wickersham on guitar, and Quintana on drums and also consisted of songs co-written by Ness and Wickersham. This is the first time Ness collaborated with another songwriter since 1990's self-titled album, on which he and then bassist John Maurer wrote 'Let it be Me'. The band's lineup changed twice after Maurer left the band, just a month before the release on Sex, Love and Rock 'n' Roll. He was replaced by Operation Ivy/Rancid bassist Matt Freeman until early 2005 and current member Brent Harding joined as his replacement.
In February 2006, Ness broke his wrist while skateboarding in Las Vegas. T.S.O.L. guitarist Ron Emory is filling in on guitar duties while Mike's wrist heals. Mike is still performing, just not playing guitar.
Social Distortion is currently working on their next studio album, which is due for release in late 2006/early 2007.
Ness currently lives in Santa Ana, California with his wife Christine Marie, and two sons Johnny and Julian. He is also a hot rod enthusiast, driving a chopped 1954 Chevy leadsled, a 1936 Ford, and a 1960 Chevy Impala.
(from Wikipedia : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ness).
I fought the law
Mike Ness Lyrics
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I needed money cause I had none , I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law won.
I left my baby and i feel so bad, I guess my race is run. She's the best girl I've ever had,
I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won.
Robben people with 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.
I left my baby and i feel so bad, I guess my race is run. She's the best girl I've ever had,
I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law won.
I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law won.
I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law.
The song "I Fought the Law" by Mike Ness tells the story of a man who rebels against the rules of society and ends up paying the price. The first verse mentions the singer breaking rocks in the hot sun, which can be interpreted as a punishment for a crime he committed. He then admits to fighting the law, but ultimately losing the battle. The second verse reveals that he needed money and resorted to robbery, resulting in him losing his girlfriend and the joy in his life.
In the chorus, the singer repeats that he fought the law and lost. He also mentions leaving behind the best girl he's ever had, which shows that he is aware of the negative impact that his actions had on others. The last line of the chorus, "I guess my race is run," suggests that he knows the consequences of his actions and that he is resigned to his fate.
Overall, the song can be seen as a cautionary tale about the consequences of breaking the law and engaging in criminal behavior. It also highlights the impact that such actions can have on one's loved ones. The repeated chorus reinforces this message and adds to the overall melancholy mood of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaking rocks in the hot sun, I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won.
I was doing hard labor under the sun, but I still went against the law, and unfortunately the law prevailed.
I needed money cause I had none , I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law won.
I was in dire need of some cash, so I disobeyed the law, but ultimately failed to get away with it.
I left my baby and i feel so bad, I guess my race is run. She's the best girl I've ever had, I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won.
I had to leave my significant other, and it pains me deeply. I know I'll never find someone as amazing as her. Despite my defiance, I was unable to escape the law's grasp.
Robben people with six gun, I fought the law and the law won I fought the law and the law won.
Using a six-shooter, I held up people and took their possessions. However, my rebellion was met with defeat by the authorities.
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.
My actions resulted in the loss of my lover and any enjoyment in life. Despite my efforts to fight back, I was overpowered by the law.
I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law won.
I rebelled against the law, but they proved to be too powerful and in the end, they were victorious.
I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law won.
Again, I opposed the law, but like before, I was unable to emerge as the winner.
I fought the law and law won I fought the law and the law.
In the last refrain of the song, I still attempted to fight the law, but the result was the same - I lost to their authority.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sonny Curtis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind