Album: 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)

Charted: 9 1

License This Song 

• (I shot the sheriff) but I did not shoot the deputy
  (I shot the sheriff) but I didn't shoot the deputy
  
  All around in my home town
  They're trying to track me down
  They say they want to bring me in guilty
  For the killing of a deputy
  For the life of a deputy, but I say
  
  (I shot the sheriff) but I swear it was in self-defense
  (I shot the sheriff) they say it is a capital offense
  
  Sheriff John Brown always hated me
  For what I don't know
  Every time that I plant a seed
  He said, "Kill it before it grows"
  He said, "Kill it before it grows", I say
  
  (I shot the sheriff) but I swear it was in self-defense
  (I shot the sheriff) but I swear it was in self-defense
  
  Freedom came my way one day
  And I started out of town
  All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
  Aiming to shoot me down
  So I shot, I shot him down, I say
  
  (I shot the sheriff) but I did not shoot the deputy
  (I shot the sheriff) but I didn't shoot the deputy
  
  Reflexes got the better of me
  And what is to be must be
  Every day the bucket goes to the well
  One day the bottom will drop out
  Yes, one day the bottom will drop out, but I say
  
  (I shot the sheriff) but I didn't shoot the deputy, oh no
  (I shot the sheriff) but I did not shoot no deputy, oh no Writer/s: Bob Marley
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 32

• Shiloh from Phoenix, Azthe fact that Clapton recorded this is kind of funny, considering it's a Black power song and Clapton is pretty white. Though to be fair, Bob did credit Eric for making him famous outside of Jamaica.
• Barb from Fall BranchLove the 70,s
• Anon from Louisville The original songwriter sold the rights to that song back in 1970s.
• Travler from West-by-godSee if you can find the DVD.... "Eric Clapton and Friends" from 1986! With Phil Collins on drums...Nathan East on bass and Greg Phillinganes on keyboards! This is without a doubt some of Claptons and Collins greatest work! And the best rendition of... "That Song"!!! Clapton is sober and at his very best....does not disappoint !!!
• AnonymousQ/A who shot the deputy the sheriff did that's why they shot the sheriff at least that what I think
• Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music lovers,
  
  I was wondering that Why Eric was picking the reggae music like this and made an album,'461 Ocean Boulevard' in 1974 While he must have been in hospital or someplace to get out of a bad habit as a drug and alcohol addiction.
  I think he must have found something interesting for him While he had been under medical treatment during 1971?????? If so, What was that ? What did he find ? I think what he found or notice something made him produced '461' and covered 'I Shot The Sheriff', a reggae song !
  
  To be continued,
• Dynama from Ohio, UsaThis song introduced me to reggae. I joke that this song contains one of the biggest mysteries in rock/pop music: Who shot the deputy? ("I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.")
  
  "Every time I plant a seed, he says 'kill it before it grows,'" I've always taken that as very violent and hateful.
• Stevie from Weehawken, NjThere's a great video on youtube of an 11 minute version of I shot the sheriff. More reggae sounding and incredible guitar work. I think Clapton's been great since Mayall's Blues Breakers to today!
• Camille from Toronto, OhI liked the song in its heyday, but I would pass on it these days. Sung too slow and of course the lyrics are plain strange. Learning that it was written by Bob Marley does shed some light on the concept of the song. Lay Down Sally is okay since it has a faster beat, but Tears In Heaven....it's not a song I ever listened to all the way through. Too depressing. The slowed up version of Layla should NEVER have been recorded as the original is one of the most rockin-est, epic songs ever.
• Bob from York, MtI think the song is about a inncoent man who shot a sherrif in self deffense because if he had purpossfully killed the sherrif he would of shot the deputy to
• David from Woburn, Ma@Steve from Arlington Heights, HOW CAN YOU NOT RESPECT CLAPTON???? Sure, I'll agree that his solo career wasn't terribly spectacular since it was marred with alcoholism and other rampant drug use, but his work with Cream and Derrick & the Dominoes is more than enough to earn the praise he's received. Even more recently (now that's he's clean) his work is once again blues-based steller work.
• Paul from Detroit, MiLoved this song. FWIW: I detested Lay Down Sally. The most annoying song ever recorded.
• Adam from Oxford, AlAnyone who can no trespect both of these artist for the respective contributions to music,regardless of like or dislike for there music,needs a check up on there history! Both were influential to whole generations of people. Marley was influential to a whole religion and Eric was worshiped as if he were a god! So i would say that neither were inferior to the other, but both were equally popular in there respective genres as well as throughout world!!
• Bubba from Reno, NvTo girl, anywhere, MI: yes its clapton's voice. Personally i think it sounds nothing like Bob Marley's voice in this version.
• Nady from Adelaide, Australiahmmm....nah coud never really get into this song..it's too ???? I dunno I just think he was better with Cream. Though I do absolutley adore Clapton, worthy of worship CLAPTON IS GOD!!!mwahhahahahaha
• Maxine from Kingston, OtherMisinformation in another comment: I'm Jamaican, living in Jamaica, and no, we do not get Bob Marley's Birthday off as a national holiday. I wish.
• Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesThis sounds like a really slowed disco. Didn't Eric Clapton make "New Sheriff in Town" as a sequel to "I Shot the Sheriff"? I haven't heard "New Sheriff in Town" in like, forever.
• Len from Raleigh, NcI think Clapton was at his best with Cream,Crossroads guitar solo was the best he ever wrote.
• Linda from Poplar Bluff, MoWe had so many famous people thru our town in the 60s Eric was one of them, he had two girlfriends here and one of them was Santana girlfriend to. when the sheriffs daughter had a baby we sung it like this "I didn't shoot the sheriff but I got his daughter pregnant anyway" The pregnant girl told the other girlfriend she wish Eric wrote Layla for her; and Debby said he didn't write it for ME, I wrote it for HIM!
• Brandon from Peoria, IlJohn from MD...i don't understand how you can say that Bob Marley was an inferior artist. Noone else in the world has moved an entire nation to the point of revolution because of their music...noone but Bob Marley that is. He was way more than a musician, he was a politician. During a Jamaican presidential election (I think) Marley offered to play during a convention for one of the canidates, and that canidate ended up winning. Marley is VERY influential. Jamaicans get his BIRTHDAY off work. Do WE get Eric Clapton's Birthday off work? Do the Brits? NOPE! Inferior says you? Genius says I.
• Girl from Anywhere, MiDoes Clapton sing on this or does he just use Bob's vocals? Because the singing doesn't sound like Clapton.
• Spencer from Los Angeles, CaHey, Eric Clapton did a version of All Along the Watchtower, too. What a coincidence.
  
  Oh, and that wasn't Hendrix's only hit, just his only US top-40 charter. He did much better in the UK.
• Joshua from Chico, CaA song is as good as you want it to be. If you like the song, its a good song. If you dislike it then it's a bad song. I think both Clapton and Marley are very talented. It's as simple as that.
• Rob from Vancouver, CanadaI can understand you not personally liking Marley, but you clearly have no understanding of his genious and impact on the music world. He was at least as influential as Clapton.
• Xander from Tampa, FlJimi Hendrix only had one hit... which was written by Bob Dylan, all along the watch tower... Are you gonna say he's a hack, too, steven?
• James from Toronto, Canadaactually you know, im just kidding, i think this song is actually quite good, and hey whatever, its your opinion
• James from Toronto, CanadaHey john from MD...U have absolutely no sense when it comes to music. This is eric claptons second least good song.
• John from Millersville, MdOne of my least favorite Clapton songs. Eric is a self-confessed poor writer, and he believes his strengths lie elsewhere. He does do a lot of covers, but let's think for a moment of a few songs which he DID write. Layla, Wonderful Tonight, Tears In Heaven...most of his later stuff. I mean, it sounds to me like he really knows how to write. Not ot mention he's a brillian musician. He put Marley on the map with this...Marley is an inferior artist who owes Clapton his career because Clapton condescended to cover this mediocre song, and made it a good one. People don't respect Clapton as much as they should.
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaI can't believe there are so few comments here! Really, there better be more on Marley's version. I'd thought I'd find millions of Claptin finatics here, and in the words of Slim Pickens in Blazing Saddles- I am depressed-. Maybe more on Layla. His only number one hit...JEEZ. Clapton respects Marley, but no one respects him. Including you, Steven.
• Steven from Arlington Heights, IlI can't respect Clapton, his only worthy single is a cover of someone who meant more than just pop songs.
• Sean from Private Info :), NeAwsome song. Personaly I like Marley's version better. But Eric Clapton's does own :).
• Kevin from Honolulu, HiYvonne Elliman sang the opening backup vocal line.

More Songfacts:

Street Fighting ManThe Rolling Stones

Keith Richards did some studio alchemy on "Street Fighting Man," which is all acoustic except the bass.

All Through The NightCyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper's hit "All Through The Night" was written and originally recorded by Jules Shear, who also wrote "If She Knew What She Wants" by the Bangles.

Cult of PersonalityLiving Colour

"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour incorporates speeches by John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Love Won't WaitGary Barlow

Madonna wrote a song called "Love Won't Wait" that she didn't want, but became a UK #1 hit for Gary Barlow.

Poker FaceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga says that "Poker Face" is about her personal experience with bisexuality; being with a man but thinking about a woman.

Rhythm Of My HeartRod Stewart

"Rhythm Of My Heart" by Rod Stewart is about a soldier at war - his heart is beating like a drum because he's in battle.

Editor's Picks

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."