A Legal Matter was a song that The Alarm played in their live set in 1982/1983 and was part of a BBC Radio 1 session for Janice long that was broadcast in May 1983 but not released on CD until 2008. A live version of A Legal Matter was recorded in New York in September 1983 and has subsequently appeared on a number of releases. This live track first appeared as the B-side of the second 7″ single of The Deceiver double pack released in March 1984. It is a cover version of The Who song recorded in October 1965 appearing on the album My Generation released in December 1965. It was also released as a single without the approval of The Who in March 1966.
Running length 2:24
Written by Pete Townsend
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Electro-acoustic Guitar
Mike Peters – Electro-acoustic Guitar
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Recorded live on 28th September 1983 at My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA
Engineered by Kevin Kelly
Click on above image for audio of A Legal Matter recorded live at My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA on 28th September 1983 and first released on the bonus single of The Deceiver single release in the UK, hosted on the Official The Alarm youtube channel
Alternative Session recording
1983 – BBC Radio Session
16th May 1983 Janice Long Session version
Recorded for BBC Radio 1
Running length 1:56
Musicians & Credits
Dave Sharp – Lead Vocals, Electro-acoustic Guitar
Mike Peters – Electro-acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Eddie Macdonald – Bass Guitar
Nigel Twist – Drums
Released on double CD The Alarm – Radio Sessions 1983-1991 BBC released on 14th November 2008
Album appearances and discography of releases
The following are Worldwide releases unless stated
12th June 2000 : The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983) –
Released as part of 8 CD collectors box set by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C010.
Appearing as part of the Alarm 2000 collection box set and then later as an individual disc (CD). 1982 demo version
Live recording from My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA on 28th September 1983 remastered
14th November 2008 : The Alarm – Radio Sessions 1983-1991 BBC
Released on Double CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C045
16th May 1983 Janice Long Session version
16th March 2018 : The Alarm – Eponymous 1981-1983
Released on Double vinyl album by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C093
Released on Double CD album by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C095
Live recording from My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA on 28th September 1983 remastered
Single Appearances & discography or recordings
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
(v) 26th March 1984 : The Alarm – The Deceiver
Released in the UK only on 7″ Double Pack Vinyl by IRS Records, catalogue number IRSA 103
Recorded at My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA on 28th September 1983
1988 : The Alarm – Save It For Later
Released in the USA on CD3 Single by A& M records, catalogue number 44797 2377 2
Recorded at My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA on 28th September 1983
Officially released live recordings ~ Audio
28th September 1983. Recorded at My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA
Running length 2:24
Performed by The Alarm: Dave Sharp, Mike Peters, Eddie Macdonald, Nigel Twist
Engineered by Kevin Kelly
Appears on the B-side of The Deceiver double pack free 7″ single by IRS records released 26th March 1984
Appears on the on CD3 single The Alarm – Save It For Later released in USA in 1988
Appears on CD The Alarm – Eponymous (1981-1983) part of the Alarm 2000 collection 8 CD box set and individual releases by The Twenty First Century Recording Company released 12th June 2000
Appears on CD and double vinyl album The Alarm – Eponymous 1981-1983 by The Twenty First Century Recording Company released 16th March 2018
Lyrics ~ 16th May 1983 Janice Long BBC Radio 1 Session
I told you why I changed my mind
Yeah I got caught by playing with time
Well it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
Yes Indeed
My minds lost in a household fog
Of wedding gowns and catalogues
Well It’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
Well I told you once
I told you twice
You just won’t take no advice
Ain’t gonna sit and work all day
Just so I can hear you say
Sorry baby
Told you once
Told you twice
You just won’t take no advice
Yes it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
It’ s A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
Well, it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now o
Lyrics ~ 28th September 1983 My Fathers Place, Long Island, New York, USA live version
It’s a little divorce song.
I told you why I changed my mind
I got caught by playing with time
Well it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
Now,
My mind’s lost in a household fog
Said, Wedding gowns and catalogues
It’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
I told you once
I told you twice
You just won’t take my advice
Ain’t gonna sit and work all day
Just to come home and hear you say
Sorry baby
I know you thought you had me nailed
But, I’ve freed my head from your garden rails
Yes it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
Well, it’s a legal matter, baby
You got me on the run
A legal matter, baby
A legal matter from now on
Yes indeed
(Page updated 08/10/2025)