Keith Mack
I Fought the Law is a song written by Sonny Curtis, a singer-songwriter and guitarist who joined the Crickets after Buddy Holly's death. The song was written in 1958 and recorded in 1959, but it was the 1965 version by the Bobby Fuller Four that became a Top Ten hit and a rock classic. The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Clash, Roy Orbison, Steve Earle, Dead Kennedys, and Hank Williams Jr., and has been featured in films and video games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Writer | Sonny Curtis |
| Year Written | 1958 |
| Year First Recorded | 1959 |
| First Recording Artist | The Crickets |
| First Recording Label | Coral |
| First Release Year | 1960 |
| First Release Album | In Style with the Crickets |
| First Hit Recording Artist | The Bobby Fuller Four |
| Year of First Hit Recording | 1965 |
| Year of First Hit Recording Chart Position | 1966 (#9 on Billboard Hot 100) |
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What You'll Learn
Sonny Curtis wrote 'I Fought the Law' in 1958
"I Fought the Law", the enduring rebel yell of rock, was written by Sonny Curtis in 1958. Curtis, a singer, songwriter and guitarist, was a longtime member of Buddy Holly's group, The Crickets. The song was first recorded by The Crickets in 1959, a year after Holly's death, and released on their 1960 album "In Style with the Crickets".
Curtis wrote the song as a country tune, and it took him about 15 minutes to write. He recalls that he was sitting in his living room in Slaton, Texas, in the middle of a sandstorm, when the song came to him. At the time, he considered himself more of a guitarist and singer than a songwriter.
The song is a simple but effective crime-doesn't-pay scenario of a man who needed money and turned to robbery, only to end up incarcerated and punished. The song opens with the man breaking rocks in the hot sun, having lost his girl along the way.
While The Crickets' original version of "I Fought the Law" never made the charts, the song would go on to become a rock 'n' roll standard, with a legion of rock 'n' rollers picking it up. The most famous version is perhaps the one by The Bobby Fuller Four, which became a Top Ten hit in 1965 and remains one of rock's classics.
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The Crickets first recorded the song in 1959
"I Fought the Law", written by Sonny Curtis, was first recorded by The Crickets in 1959. The Crickets were a rock 'n' roll band originally formed by Buddy Holly, who died in a plane crash in 1959. Curtis, a guitarist and singer, joined the band after Holly's death.
The song was written in 1958, a few months before it was recorded. Curtis recalled that he "thought of [the song] as a country song" and that it "took about fifteen minutes to write". He also noted that he "didn't have much life experience to draw on, so [he] just made up things".
The Crickets recorded the song at New York's Bell Sound studios on May 18, 1959, with producer Jack Hansen. The lineup at the time consisted of Curtis, Allison, Mauldin, and singer Earl Sinks. The song was included on their 1960 album, "In Style with the Crickets".
Despite being the first recording of the song, The Crickets' version failed to chart on either side of the Atlantic. It was the 1965 cover by The Bobby Fuller Four that became a Top Ten hit and a rock classic.
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The Bobby Fuller Four's 1965 cover became a Top Ten hit
"I Fought the Law", written by Sonny Curtis, was first recorded by The Crickets in 1959 and released on their 1960 album "In Style with the Crickets". However, it was the Bobby Fuller Four's 1965 cover that became a Top Ten hit.
The Bobby Fuller Four, fronted by Bobby Fuller, started to gain attention beyond their origins in El Paso, Texas. "I Fought the Law" had long been a trademark of their live shows, and after an all-night recording session, it was released as a single and became a radio hit in the US. It only scraped into the UK top 40, but it had some notable British admirers, including George Harrison, who called The Bobby Fuller Four his most listened-to group in an early 1966 interview.
The Bobby Fuller Four's version of the song stood out in a hit parade dominated by the Beatles and Motown. It was not just the sleek, driving update of '50s rockabilly that made it stand out, but also its genuinely dangerous edge. Although Curtis’ lyrics seem to carry a cautionary message, there’s no mistaking the exuberance in Fuller’s voice, even as he admits his ultimate defeat when singing, “I fought the law and the law won.” The surging exhilaration of the band’s instrumental performance accentuates the track’s celebratory vibe.
The song was ranked No. 175 on the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004, and the same year was named one of the 500 "Songs that Shaped Rock" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2015, the Bobby Fuller Four version of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
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The Clash's 1979 cover helped them gain traction in the US
The song "I Fought the Law" has an interesting history, with its roots in American rock and roll and finding new life and fame through The Clash's 1979 cover. The song was originally written and recorded by Sonny Curtis of the Crickets in 1959, and it has since become a staple in popular music, with several notable artists covering it. One of the most significant and influential versions was indeed by The Clash, the iconic English punk rock band. Their cover, released on their US album The Cost of Living in 1979, played a pivotal role in their breakthrough and growing popularity in the United States.
The Clash's version of "I Fought the Law" is memorable for its up-tempo, energetic take on the song, reflecting the band's punk rock style. This cover maintained the core narrative of the original, depicting a fugitive's confession of his criminal activities and his eventual capture and punishment. The Clash's Joe Strummer altered the melody slightly, injecting it with a rebellious and anthemic spirit that resonated with their emerging fan base in the US. This cover was strategically chosen and included on The Cost of Living EP, which was released specifically for the American market.
At the time, The Clash was seeking to establish themselves in the US, and their cover of "I Fought the Law" became a key element in this pursuit. The song received significant radio play, particularly on college and independent stations, helping to expand their audience beyond the UK. The song's catchy rhythm and relatable narrative of youthful rebellion resonated with American listeners, many of whom were experiencing similar societal frustrations. The Clash's interpretation of this classic song became an anthem for disaffected youth in the US, much as it had for UK audiences.
Additionally, The Clash's cover benefited from its inclusion in the popular movie "Rude Boy," which depicted the late-1970s UK punk scene and further exposed American audiences to the band. The film's protagonist, Ray Gange, worked as a roadie for The Clash, and the band's performance of "I Fought the Law" was a memorable scene. This helped to solidify the song's association with the band and further propelled its popularity. Through this multi-pronged approach of strategic releases and cultural relevance, The Clash successfully navigated the challenging task of breaking into the US market.
The Clash's cover of "I Fought the Law" demonstrated their ability to adapt and localize their music to appeal to new audiences. Their interpretation of this classic song showcased their talent for making existing material their own, a skill that helped them gain a dedicated following. While the song's lyrics and message were universally relatable, The Clash infused it with their unique style, ensuring their version stood out and left a lasting impact. Their success with this cover is a testament to their musical prowess and strategic approach to expanding their global reach.
Overall, The Clash's 1979 cover of "I Fought the Law" was a pivotal moment in their career, helping them gain traction and establish their presence in the US market. It showcased their ability to connect with American listeners and adapt their sound to appeal to a broader audience. Through this cover, The Clash not only paid homage to a classic song but also forged a stronger connection with their fans, solidifying their place in music history on both sides of the Atlantic.
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The Dead Kennedys' 1978 cover rewrote most of the lyrics
The song "I Fought the Law" has its roots in the late 1950s, when Sonny Curtis, a member of Buddy Holly's band The Crickets, is believed to have first composed it. However, it was The Bobby Fuller Four, an American rock band, who popularized the song and released it as a single in 1965, reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a enduring classic in music history.
While The Bobby Fuller Four's version remained faithful to the original composition, it was the Dead Kennedys' 1978 cover that introduced a significant twist. The punk rock band from San Francisco, known for their political and social commentary, completely rewrote most of the lyrics, transforming the song into a satirical commentary on the criminal justice system and the plight of the working class.
In the Dead Kennedys' version, lead singer Jello Biafra's reworked lyrics paint a picture of a frustrated and disenfranchised individual who turns to crime as a result of societal failures and a sense of powerlessness. The song's narrative suggests that the protagonist has been failed by the system, and their criminal actions are a form of rebellion or an attempt to take back control.
Here's a comparison that highlights the changes in the lyrics:
Original lyrics (as performed by The Bobby Fuller Four):
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I kept fightin' till I ran out of breath
I fought the law and the law won
Dead Kennedys' version (1978):
I fought the law and I lost
I fought the law, and I lost
I left home at a run, I fought the law, and I lost
I went down to the demonstration
To get my fair share of abuse
The rewritten lyrics continue in this vein, with references to police brutality, the injustice of the legal system, and the feeling of being trapped by societal expectations. The Dead Kennedys' cover adds a layer of social critique and transforms the song into an anthem of rebellion, shifting the focus from a personal tale of defeat to a broader statement about societal issues.
Through their reinterpretation, the Dead Kennedys not only paid homage to the original song but also made it their own, aligning it with the punk rock ethos of challenging authority and speaking truth to power. Their version of "I Fought the Law" became a staple in their live performances and remains influential in the punk rock genre.
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Frequently asked questions
Sonny Curtis wrote "I Fought the Law" in 1958.
The Crickets—a quartet comprised of Curtis, Allison, Mauldin, and singer Earl Sinks—first recorded the song in 1959.
Earl Sinks sang "I Fought the Law" for the first recording. Bobby Fuller sang the song for the Bobby Fuller Four's popular 1965 cover.
The Crickets first released the song on their 1960 album, "In Style with the Crickets". The Bobby Fuller Four released their version as a single in 1965, and it became a Top Ten hit.
"I Fought the Law" is a rebellious anthem about desperation, taking action, and the consequences that follow. The song tells a cautionary tale of a man who resorts to robbery out of desperation, only to end up incarcerated and punished.
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