This song became an anthem of sorts when riots broke out in London.

The Clash – “Police and Thieves”

“Police and Thieves” (1977 – original from 1976)

The original “Police and Thieves”  was recorded in 1976 by Jamaican reggae musician Junior Murvin. Reflecting the police brutality and turf wars in the country, it became an instant hit in Jamaica, and an even bigger hit in the UK. 

International Anthem

After being released in the UK, the original song became an anthem of sorts when riots broke out in London. The Clash decided to record this “punk reggae”  version, which appeared in 1977 on their debut album.  

Clash of Culture 

When Murvin first heard The Clash’s version, he scorned it, saying that  “They have destroyed Jah work!” 

And co-writer Lee “Scratch” Perry, who had produced Murvin’s original reggae version, declared that The Clash had “ruined”  the song. Nevertheless, he later went on to do some fine work with The Clash.    _{(Image source)}

The Clash

The Clash were one of the first, pre-eminent, and seminal UK punk bands during the mid 1970s.     

A Calling from Beyond 

The band’s eponymous debut album became an instant punk classic. Their second album did not – largely because the band had already started to move beyond punk.   

However, with their 3rd album, “London Calling,”  The Clash transcended the genre entirely, and began their ascent into the rock pantheon.*  They did not look back.    

* (In fact, “Rolling Stone”  magazine ranked “London Calling”  as the “Best Album”  of the 1980s.)   _{(Image source)}

Police and thieves in the streets Oh yeah!
Scaring the nation with their guns and ammunition
Police and thieves in the street
Oh yeah!
Fighting the nation with their guns and ammunition

From Genesis to Revelation
The next generation will be hear me
From Genesis to Revelation
The next generation will be hear me

And all the crowd comes in day by day
No one stop it, in anyway
And all the peacemaker turn war officer
Hear what I say

[Vocal ad lib]

Police, police, police and thieves, oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves, oh yeah
From Genesis, oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves, oh yeah

Scaring, fighting the nation
Shooting, shooting their guns and ammunition

Police, police, police and thieves, oh yeah
Police, police, police and thieves, oh yeah
Here come, here come, here come
The station is bombed
Get out, get out, get out, you people
If you don't wanna get blown up

[Vocal ad lib]

        Junior Murvin – “Police and Thieves”    
          _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Cover Versions” ...

         Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 1~20"  
         Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 21~40"  

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"