The Clash » Tracks » I Fought The Law

The Clash – I Fought The Law (2:38)

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About This Track

While one version of the Clash’s decision to cover the song is that it was the existence of a 45 of the Bobby Fuller version in an American studio jukebox, it is true that Ducks Deluxe issued a cover single. ‘I Fought The Law/Cherry Pie’ (RCA 2531, 1975) in the UK and Joe Strummer with the band 101’ers had been on the same pub rock circuit as Ducks Deluxe. The Clash were completing work on their second album, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, at the time; Fuller’s version had not been a hit single in the UK, that inspired The Clash to record a cover version of the song in 1978.

Their version first appeared on the EP The Cost of Living in May 1979 in the UK, and then later in 1979 was made part of the American edition of the Clash’s eponymous album. This cover version helped gain The Clash their first taste of airplay in the States and is one of the best-known cover versions of the song. The live recording of the song, performed at the Lyceum Theatre, West End, London on December 28, 1978, features as the last piece of the 1980 film Rude Boy directed by Jack Hazan and David Mingay. The Clash were dressed all in black for that gig and the song, at that stage, was considered the film’s title song.
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Albums featuring this track

  • The Clash
    The Clash Play
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  • The Singles
    The Clash Play
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  • The Essential Clash
    The Clash Play
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  • The Ultimate Collection
    The Clash Play
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See all 43 albums

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  • NESkimoFan12

    Let's ignore Band Genius, he's trying to either rustle our jimmies he's simply new to the internet.

    16 days ago

  • BrotherXSport

    He didn't even get the bloody Skyrim reference right...

    25 days ago

  • valplayer

    joe tu nous manque

    last month

  • tloring80

    lets post shitty memes everywhere.

    December 2011

  • Lind_L_Tailor

    @BandGenius: Or maybe, as opposed to being awesome, they've just spent more than 5 minutes on the internet this week.

    December 2011

  • BandGenius

    I Fought the law, then i got an arrow in my knee, if you know what reference that was.... your awesome

    November 2011

  • kiteo

    If Sid had been in The Clash he might have lived, I'm sure that's what she's trying to say.

    October 2011

  • gbrading

    No one covers a song like The Clash.

    October 2011

  • EscapeRose

    I wished Sid's life would have ended not so early and not the way it did.

    September 2011

  • persocomChii

    As far as covers go ... the Clash clearly knew how to make it Best and Only

    September 2011

  • kiteo

    Just remember kids, they usually do.

    September 2011

  • noonesleaving

    Breaking rocks in the hot sun :D

    August 2011

  • gzecchino

    Immortal.

    August 2011

  • NEPTUNO65

    necesitamos a los clash ahora mas que nunca para luchar contra el socialismo spanish. ni a propósito..........

    August 2011

  • pesadilladegato

    objectivity is overrated.

    July 2011

  • mattyo44

    ....and I won!

    July 2011

  • john_dillenger

    I dont mind some of their stuff but I think they are overated.

    June 2011

  • MIKEH3875

    essential

    June 2011

  • embracedisaster

    I LEFT MY BABY AND IT FEELS SO BAD !

    June 2011

  • straysongs

    'The Only Band That Matters'

    June 2011
See all 221 shouts

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