Steven David DeLong (vocals), Jim Quick (Quiggins) (bass) and Tricky Lane (drums) formed the band in Indiana with the guitar duo of James Lee Thorpe and Jon Huffman (who also ridiculously used the surnames of Thunder and Lightning). The Midwestern boys played their first gig on November 21, 1988, and had a major label deal a mere eleven months later.
The group holed up with producer Howard Benson in Atlanta, Georgia to record the debut album Stick To Your Guns. It would prove to be an excellent release, with singles such as "Prince Of The City" and "Rhythm Of Action", but would stall at #161 on the Billboard charts. Disappointed with sales, MCA released the band from their roster in late 1990, as the band themselves released Quiggins.
With a new label, the band set to record the follow-up album with session bassist Frank Coglitore. Released in 1991, Temptation was a more mature album, but failed to do much business in recession-hit America. The band hit the road with new bassist Mark Matthews, but with the musical tides changing in the early nineties, the end had arrived for Sweet F.A.
Breakin' The Law
Sweet F.A. Lyrics
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Is all I remember about last night
Help me out, can you clue me in
Was it a riot or just a great big
Mother fuckin′ fight
Wakin' up in the county jail
I had to call my baby to pay my bail
She ain't got no money, not a dime
Shakin′ it up, breakin′ it down
Shakin' the walls
Shakin′ it up all over town
Breakin' the law
I said stop
Oooo, yeah
Judge said, boy, did you learn your lesson
Stay away from that Smith and Wesson
I fired up another cigarette
I said, judge, you ain′t seen nothin' yet
Shakin′ it up, breakin' it down
Shakin' the walls
Shakin′ it up all over town
Breakin′ the law
Breakin' the law
Breakin′ the law
Breakin' the law
Breakin′ the law
Breakin' the law
Breakin′ the law
Breakin' the law
Breakin' the law
Shakin′ it up, breakin′ it down
Shakin' it up all over town
Shakin′ it up, breakin' it down
Shakin′ the walls
Shakin' it up all over town
Breakin′ the law
Oooo, yeah
In "Breakin' The Law," Sweet F.A. sings about the aftermath of a night of wild partying that led to law-breaking. The song opens with the singer waking up and recalling throwing punches and breaking glass. He can't remember whether it was a riot or just a really big fight. The next morning, he finds himself in the county jail, and he calls his girlfriend to come bail him out. She can't help him because she doesn't have any money. The verse suggests a life of recklessness and rebellion against authority and social norms.
Later, the singer faces the judge, who advises him to stay away from firearms. He responds by lighting a cigarette and letting the judge know that he hasn't seen anything yet. The chorus emphasizes the constant law-breaking he is doing and how he is shaking up the town by breaking the law. He sings about breaking the law multiple times, making it clear that he isn't going to change.
Line by Line Meaning
Throwin′ punches and breakin' glass
I have vague memories of fighting and causing destruction.
Is all I remember about last night
I can't recall anything specific I did, but I know it involved violence.
Help me out, can you clue me in
I'm not sure what happened, can you give me details of what I did?
Was it a riot or just a great big Mother fuckin′ fight
I'm wondering if there was a big fight or if it turned into a riot.
Wakin' up in the county jail
I woke up behind bars in the local jail.
I had to call my baby to pay my bail
I had to contact my partner to get me out by paying the bail.
No, no, honey, not this time
I know my partner is not going to pay for me this time around.
She ain't got no money, not a dime
My partner doesn't have any money to pay for me.
Shakin′ it up, breakin′ it down
I am causing destruction, creating chaos.
Shakin' the walls
My behaviour is so disruptive that it feels like the walls are shaking.
Shakin′ it up all over town
My behaviour is not confined to one place, it is spreading throughout the town.
Breakin' the law
I am knowingly and intentionally breaking the law.
I said stop
I have no intention of stopping my behaviour, even if someone tells me to.
Judge said, boy, did you learn your lesson
The judge is asking if I have learned anything from my time in jail.
Stay away from that Smith and Wesson
The judge is advising me to stay away from firearms.
I fired up another cigarette
I lit up another cigarette in front of the judge, indicating my lack of respect.
I said, judge, you ain′t seen nothin' yet
I am telling the judge that my previous acts of destruction were only the beginning.
Breakin the law
Chorus repeating the title of the song.
Oooo, yeah
Expressing approval or agreement.
Writer(s): J. QUIGGINS, J. HUFFMAN, J. THOPE, B. LANE, S. DELONG
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.