Motörhead released 23 studio albums, 10 live recordings, 12 compilation albums and five EPs over a career spanning 40 years. Usually a power trio, they had particular success in the early 1980s with several successful singles in the UK Top 40 chart. The albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades and, particularly, the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith cemented Motörhead's reputation as a top-tier rock band. The band are ranked number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. As of 2016, they have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
Most often classified as heavy metal, Motörhead has been credited with being part of and influencing numerous musical scenes, thrash metal and speed metal especially. Lemmy, however, always insisted that they were a rock and roll band. He said that they had more in common with punk bands, but with their own unique sound, Motörhead is embraced in both punk and metal scenes. Their lyrics typically covered such topics as war, good versus evil, abuse of power, promiscuous sex, substance abuse and, most famously, gambling, the latter theme being the focus of their hit song "Ace of Spades".
Lemmy died on 28 December 2015 from cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. The day after his death, drummer Mikkey Dee and guitarist Phil Campbell both confirmed that Motörhead had disbanded. By 2018, all three members of Motörhead's best-known line-up (Lemmy, Taylor and Clarke) had died.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motörhead
Discography
Motörhead (1977)
Overkill (1979)
Bomber (1979)
On Parole (1979)
Ace of Spades (1980)
Iron Fist (1982)
Another Perfect Day (1983)
Orgasmatron (1986)
Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
1916 (1991)
March ör Die (1992)
Bastards (1993)
Sacrifice (1995)
Overnight Sensation (1996)
Snake Bite Love (1998)
We Are Motörhead (2000)
Hammered (2002)
Inferno (2004)
Kiss of Death (2006)
Motörizer (2008)
The Wörld Is Yours (2010)
Aftershock (2013)
Bad Magic (2015)
Lawman
Motörhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your evil eye, in the night
Cruising slow, flashing white
There together, in the dark
But it ain't no friend, just another scared nark
I know you
Lawman
Lawman, lawman, I think you're a poor man, lawman
Every time you speak to me
Makes it plain that you don't see
What's really happening here
You just confuse respect with fear
I know you
Lawman
Lawman
Lawman, lawman, I think you're a poor man, poor man, get it!
I know you
See you in the Crown Court
Seems to me it's like a blood sport
I know you live by the book of rules
But anyone who needs a book is a fool
I know you
Lawman
Lawman
Lawman, lawman, I think you're a poor man, lawman
The lyrics to Motörhead's song "Lawman" are a deep critique of the police and their authority. The song starts by labeling the police as a disease with their "evil eye" out at night, patrolling the streets with their flashing white lights. The singer recognizes the police's presence but doesn't view them as a friend but rather as another scared informant or "nark". He refers to the police as a "poor man", which could suggest that the police are doing their job but are also victims of society's injustice.
In the second verse, the singer highlights the communication barrier between the police and their community. The police confuse respect with fear due to their authoritative role, and they fail to see what's really happening in the community. Finally, the singer expresses disdain for the way the justice system operates, comparing it to a blood sport in which the police are merely following the "Book of Rules". However, anyone who needs a book to understand fair justice is a "fool".
Overall, "Lawman" is a powerful statement against the police's authority and the justice system's failures. The song's theme is still relevant today, as society continues to grapple with policing and the justice system's discrepancies.
Line by Line Meaning
Cancer!
An exclamation of disdain or disgust toward someone.
Your evil eye, in the night
Referring to the police officer's watchful eye and presence during the night.
Cruising slow, flashing white
Describing the police car moving slowly with the flashing blue and white lights on top.
There together, in the dark
Referring to the police officer and the artist being in the same area during the night.
But it ain't no friend, just another scared nark
The police officer is not a friend, but rather a person who was intimidated or a traitor.
I know you
The singer is familiar with the police officer.
Lawman
A term for a police officer.
Every time you speak to me
When a police officer interacts with the artist.
Makes it plain that you don't see
The officer doesn't understand what is really happening in the situation.
What's really happening here
The true nature of the situation that the officer is unaware of.
You just confuse respect with fear
The officer mistakes fear for respect in his interactions with the singer.
See you in the Crown Court
A reference to the court where the officer will be present during the trial.
Seems to me it's like a blood sport
The trial seems like a game or fight that is violent.
I know you live by the book of rules
The officer follows the law strictly.
But anyone who needs a book is a fool
One who needs to follow the law strictly is foolish.
Poor man
A term for someone who is pitiful or unfortunate.
Get it!
An exclamation to make sure that the listener understands the situation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD ALAN CLARKE, IAN KILMISTER, PHILIP JOHN TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind