Surprising Things about the song I Fought The Law
In chapter 23 of Mix Tapes and Stuff, Mix is in the principal’s office waiting room. He meets another student. To break the ice, Mix brings up this song. Here’s a little background info on “I Fought the Law.”
This was originally recorded in the 1960s. The most famous version was by the Bobby Fuller Four. The storyline involves a guy that did some crime, but he is more sorry that he is leaving a girl behind.
This sounds like a blues song recorded by a guy in prison. It’s kind of sorrowful and yet it’s not a ballad.
The writer of the song was Sonny Curtis. He was part of Buddy Holly's Crickets before Buddy Holly died in 1959. Curtis' other claim to fame was that he also wrote the Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song. Seriously, the guy that wrote the song "Love is All Around" also wrote "I Fought the Law."
This was a big hit when it came out. Years later when The Clash first came to America on tour, they heard the song once and had to record it.
Bobby Fuller was never able to capitalize one of the 1960s biggest songs. He was killed in an automobile crash just after the song’s release.
The scene in Chapter 23 of Mix Tapes and Stuff has Mix ask a guy who did the better version, the Clash or Bobby Fuller. It's impossible to say. Great song by great artists.
To read what Mix did that he thinks about this song, you can purchase Mix Tapes and Stuff at
Do you have a favorite version of I Fought The Law?
Let me know, I'm curious