I Fought The Law is a song originally recorded by The Crickets in 1960. It was first covered by The Bobby Fuller Four in 1966. The song has since had a number of versions recorded, probably the most well known version was by The Clash in 1979
This is a song that has been played by Dead Men Walking, a live version which was released in 2005. When Mike Peters alongside with Steve “Smiley” Barnard were performing with Los Mondo Bongos in 2010 it was part of the set. In 2011 at Union County Music Fest, Mike was joined by Cy Curnin of The Fixx and Brien McVernon of Retro Rockets to perform a version which included substituting the 6 Gun to 68 Gun. The Alarm have played it at least on the Vinyl Tour of 2013
Mike Peters has spoken about how this song influenced the idea for Sixty Eight Guns, instead of Robbin’ people with a six-gun, what if it were 68. Talking about how he would drive around Rhyl with Gaz Top playing the Clash and beating out the gun shots on the steering wheel
In 2018 Mike was interviewed by Carrie Grant for the BBC TV on The One Show, alongside Gaz. this topic came up in conversation :
MP – I was driving around Rhyl in our car, nothing to do but play music from the cassette deck
CG – One of their favoured songs was a cover version of I Fought The Law by punk band The Clash
MP – And there is a line in the song, where it says robbin’ people with a 6 guns and Topper Headon the drummer would rap out 6 beats, and of course with Gareth in our team the comedy comes out, and we would go what would happen if they had more than 6 guns, what would he have had if he had 68 guns. Hold on that’s a great title for a song
2005 Dead Men Walking live recording
Running Length 2:34
Written by Sonny Curtis
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Kirk Brandon – Electric Guitar
Captain Sensible – Bass Guitar
Slim Jim Phantom – Stand Up Drums
Recorded at CBGB’s, New York, USA on 23rd September 2005
Recorded by Jamie
Mixed by Jeff in London
Officially released live recording ~ Audio
All are Worldwide Releases on Twenty First Century Recording Company
(Except where stated)
23rd September 2005. Recorded at CBGB’s, New York, USA
Running Length 2:34
Performed by Dead Men Walking : Mike Peters, Kirk Brandon, Captain Sensible, Slim Jim Phantom
Released on CD in 2005 as Dead Men Walking Live at CBGB New York City on Resistance, catalogue number resistance 004
Lyrics ~ Dead Men Walking Live 2005
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 it feels so bad
I guess my race is run
She’s the best girl that I 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 lost my girl and I lost my fun
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I killed my baby and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
She’s the best girl that I’ve ever had
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the law won
I fought the law and the
(Robbing people with the 68 Gun)
Audio & Visual Sources ~ 5 x Live videos
Click on the image for a video of a live audience recording of Los Mondo Bongo at Marrs Bar, Worcester, England on 12th March 2010
Click on the image for a video of a live audience recording of Los Mondo Bongo at Rockers, Glasgow, Scotland on 16th March 2010
Click on the image for a video of a live audience recording of Los Mondo Bongo at De Bees’s Winsford, England on 18th March 2010
Click on the image for a video of a live audience recording of Mike Peters, Cy Curnin, Brien Mc Vernon at The Riser, Union County Music Fest, Oak Ridge Park, Clarke, New Jersey, USA on 17th September 2011
Click on the image for a video of a live audience recording of Dead Men Walking with Duff McKagan at the Viper Room, Los Angeles, California, USA 13th September 2014
(Page updated 24/07/2022)