Sex Pistols were a punk rock band that formed in London, United Kingdom in … Read Full Bio ↴Sex Pistols were a punk rock band that formed in London, United Kingdom in 1975. They are, together with The Clash and The Damned, responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians. Although their initial career lasted just two-and-a-half years and produced only four singles plus one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols, they are regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of modern popular music.

The band is comprised of vocalist Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook, and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock left the band in 1977 and was replaced by Sid Vicious, who remained until the band's initial 1978 breakup. Matlock rejoined the band for their 1996 reunion and has remained with them throughout most subsequent reunions, including the most recent, in 2008.

Sex Pistols were managed by the infamous Malcolm McLaren, after he saw Johnny Rotten sporting a Pink Floyd shirt with "I hate" scribbled on. Impressed by Johnny Rotten's attitude, McLaren brought Rotten to audition for frontman of The Strand, the band that would later become the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols have been described by the BBC as "the definitive English punk rock band" and are widely credited with initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and creating the first generation gap within rock and roll.

Sex Pistols emerged as a response to what was perceived to be the increasingly safe and bloated progressive rock and manufactured pop music of the mid-1970s. The band created various controversies during their brief career, which captivated England but often eclipsed their music. Their shows and tours repeatedly faced difficulties from authorities, and public appearances often ended in disaster and riot. Their 1977 single, God Save the Queen, released during the build up to the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, was widely regarded as an attack on the British monarchy and British Nationalism.

The group broke up in 1978 amid a turbulent tour of the United States, but reunited in 1996 for the "Filthy Lucre" tour, and have staged subsequent reunion tours in 2002 and 2003. On 24 February 2006, The Sex Pistols were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but refused to attend the induction, calling the museum a "piss stain".

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album, The Sex Pistols reunited for 7 live shows. They played 5 nights at the Brixton Academy in London between 8 November and 14 November, 1 night at the MEN Arena in Manchester, and 1 night at the SECC in Glasgow. The band last performed live in 2008 are are currently on hiatus as John Lydon tours with Public Image Ltd., which reunited in 2009.

I fought the law
Sex Pistols Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm breakin' rocks in the hot sun
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 sad
I guess my race is run
But 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

Robbin' people with a six-gun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won

I miss my baby and the good fun
I fought the law and I law won
I fought the law and I law won

I left my baby and I feel so sad
I guess my race is run
But she's the best girl I've ever had

I fought the law and I law won
I am the law, and I won

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Fought the Law" by The Clash were originally written by Sonny Curtis for his band, The Crickets, in the late 1950s. The Clash's version, which was released in 1979, takes a rebellious and anti-establishment tone, fitting well with their punk rock style. The song tells the story of a man who is down on his luck and turns to crime to make ends meet. The line "I'm breakin' rocks in the hot sun" refers to the hard labor of prison work. It is clear that the singer is aware that his actions have consequences and he ultimately pays the price for them when he is caught by the law: "I fought the law and the law won."

The song also touches on themes of love and loss, as the man misses his girlfriend and regrets leaving her, even though he knows that his criminal activities have put an end to their relationship. The line "But she's the best girl I've ever had" highlights the emotional complexity of the situation and shows that the character has some redeeming qualities despite his illegal behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm breakin' rocks in the hot sun
I am doing hard labor outside in the heat

I fought the law and the law won
I broke the law, but the legal system prevailed over me

I needed money 'cause I had none
I was financially struggling and had no other options

I left my baby and I feel so sad
Leaving my significant other has made me feel upset and down

I guess my race is run
I have reached the end of my journey

But she's the best girl I've ever had
My girlfriend is the best relationship I've ever had

Robbin' people with a six-gun
I am committing armed robbery

I miss my baby and the good fun
I miss my significant other and the enjoyable times we had together

I am the law, and I won
I am the enforcer of the law, and in the end, I won

Contributed by Alaina C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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