Police on my Back
The Clash Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I'm running
Police on my back
I've been hiding
Police on my back
There was a shooting
Police on my back
And the victim
Well, he won't come back

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Runnin' Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?
What have I done?

I started running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Won't you give me
All the speed I lack?

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Runnin' Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?
What have I done?

I'm running
I am running
I've been running

Yes, I'm running
Down the railway track
Won't you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Won't you help me
Find the speed I lack?

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Runnin' Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?
What have I done?

And I'm running
Police on my back
Hiding
Police on my back
Running
Police on my back
Hiding
Police on my back

Yes, I'm Running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Oh Lord, give me
All the speed I lack?




I've been running
I've been running

Overall Meaning

The song "Police on My Back" by The Clash is a fast-paced song that tells the story of a person on the run from the police. The opening lines of the song immediately set the tone for the rest of the narrative. The singer is running and has the "police on my back". The reason why the singer is running becomes apparent in the next line, where there was a "shooting" and the "victim" won't come back. This establishes that the singer is either responsible for the shooting or is being framed for it.


The chorus of the song has a familiar pattern of the singer running every day of the week, and the song's repetition builds a sense of tense urgency. They are constantly "running" and "hiding", and the only solution they see is to keep moving. The lyrics also express a sense of frustration and desperation as the singer wonders what they have done to deserve the hot pursuit of the authorities.


The second verse of the song sees the singer running down the "railway track" and pleading with the listener for help, asking for "all the speed I lack". This establishes that the singer is not only physically taxed by the chase but is also in dire need of a way out of the situation.


Overall, "Police on My Back" is a song that speaks to feelings of persecution and paranoia. The song is a powerful expression of the terror felt by someone who is trying to escape the law's grasp and the sense of hopelessness that comes with being on the run.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I'm running
I am constantly in motion.


Police on my back
Law enforcement officials are pursuing me.


I've been hiding
I have been keeping away from the public eye.


There was a shooting
An incident involving gunfire occurred.


Police on my back
Law enforcement officials are pursuing me.


And the victim
The person who was on the receiving end of the attack.


Well, he won't come back
The person has died as a result of the incident.


I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
I have been running every day of the week.


Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
I have been running throughout the entire week.


What have I done?
What actions have I taken to cause me to be pursued?


I started running
I began my pursuit on foot.


Down the railway track
I am following the railway lines.


Could you help me?
Can you aid me in my pursuit?


Police on my back
Law enforcement officials are pursuing me.


They will catch me
Law enforcement officials will apprehend me.


If I dare drop back
If I slow down or stop, I will be caught.


Won't you give me
Will you please provide me with.


All the speed I lack?
The velocity required to escape from the law enforcement officials.


I'm running
I am currently on the move.


I am running
I am in a state of motion.


I've been running
I have been in motion for an extended period of time.


Yes, I'm running
I am, in fact, on the move.


Won't you help me?
Will you assist me in my flight from the law?


Find the speed I lack?
Provide me with the acceleration necessary to escape from the law enforcement officials.


And I'm running
I continue to be in motion.


Hiding
I am concealed from view.


Running
I am currently in motion.


Yes, I'm Running
I am, indeed, still in motion.


Oh Lord, give me
I implore you to grant me.


All the speed I lack?
The necessary acceleration to flee from my pursuers.


I've been running
I have been in motion for some time.


I've been running
I have not ceased my pursuit for a significant period of time.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Eddy Grant

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@djetlager6281

LYRICS :
Well, I'm running
Police on my back
I've been hiding
Police on my back
There was a shooting
Police on my back
And the victim
Well, he won't come back

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Runnin' Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?
What have I done?

Yes, I'm running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Won't you give me
All the speed I lack?

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Runnin' Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?
What have I done?

I'm running
I am running
I've been running

Yes, I'm running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Won't you help me
Find the speed I lack?

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Runnin' Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?
What have I done?

And I'm running
Police on my back
Hiding
Police on my back
Running
Police on my back
Hiding
Police on my back

Yes, I'm Running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
So you'll give me
All the speed I lack?
I've been running
I've been running
enjoy this beautiful music and these words peace people ✌️🙂



@strawberrylemonadekristina

4 words in this incredible song say it all. WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Police On My Back was originally released by The Equals in 1968. It was a relevant song then.

The Clash released their fantastic version in 1980. It was still relevant.

Now it's 2022 and if a band released a version of this song today, guess what? It would be more f*cking relevant than ever.
The cops whine and complain that they get no respect. When they treat people like citizens with rights and dignity instead of victims with targets on their backs only then will they get some respect. Respect is earned not casually given out.

We need a 2022 version of The Clash to inspire the youth of today. Long Live Social Justice!! VENCEREMOS!!



All comments from YouTube:

@giorgiimedashvili1763

What a song! What an album! What a band!

@michaeljohnston9552

https://youtu.be/DH0Guwo_ky0

@giorgiimedashvili1763

@@michaeljohnston9552 Thanks Michael, of course original is great too but I like Clash version better. It perfectly suits the album and whole punk movement.

@VerseFemboyCorey

@@giorgiimedashvili1763 you know what's better.....billie joe Armstrongs cover from no fun Mondays
https://youtu.be/77nppEKkYAU

@bonsyboom4531

what a comment! :D

@joeb2487

The only band that matters

10 More Replies...

@slavyanskybulvar

This song is never old. It sounds like an eternal youth.

@chrisgreene2623

the Clash were the Beatles of punk. Awesome band with songs that still resonate

@abbymarievlogs

Are*

@silverfox8615

The Beatlles? Who the fuck are they, Terry?

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