Songs About the Law are songs that celebrate and enact the rights of people facing legal problems. These songs often feature rapping rappers as defendants. Some examples include “Oxford Town” by Bob Dylan, “Breaking the Law” by Judas Priest, and “You Have the Right to Remain Silent” by Merle Haggard.
Dylan’s “Oxford Town”
The title of Dylan’s “Oxford Town” is a play on words. The song focuses on a black student in Mississippi who is trying to get into a university. The lyrics stir up the emotions of the student, who wants to go to college despite the challenges that he faces. The lyrics touch on many controversial issues that affect people of all ages.
Bob Dylan wrote “Oxford Town” in 1962. It was recorded at Columbia Studio A on December 6, 1962. It was written in response to an open invitation issued by Broadside magazine in response to the riot at the University of Mississippi that resulted from the enrollment of a black student, James Meredith. The song also was based on a song by Phil Ochs, “Oxford Town.”
Dylan recorded “No More Auction Block” around the same time as “Oxford Town.” In it, Dylan sounded like a kid singing an old hymn or marching song. Like the song “Blowing in the Wind”, “No More Auction Block” also reflects Dylan’s sense of justice and right.
Dylan was an influential figure in folk music and “Oxford Town” represents a style that took hold during the 1960s. His work has had a profound impact on people’s lives and influenced the sound of music for many people. The song’s lyrics, instrumentation, and repetition are all indicative of folk music trends in the 1960s.
Neil Young’s “Crime in the City”
Neil Young wrote “Crime in the City” before he released Freedom. The album version features zillions of verses, but in live performance it sounds more chaotic. Young has a way of turning up the tempo without being overbearing.
Neil Young’s “Crime in The City” is a great example of his musical range. This album’s acoustic version has a chord pattern reminiscent of “All Along the Watchtower,” and features slinky brass touches.
A live version of the song was released on the album Weld in 1991. The version from Pittsburgh Civic Arena shows has four verses and is about six and a half minutes long. In addition, a live version of the song from 1988 was released in 2015 on the Bluenote Cafe.
Neil Young is one of the most influential songwriters in rock history. His unpredictability and unconventional music have made it popular for a variety of audiences. He continues to release new material and makes rock history. “Crime in the City” is one of Neil Young’s best known songs, and it’s no wonder that it’s one of his most popular hits.
Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law”
“Breaking the Law” is one of the best-known songs by Judas Priest. The song is an instrumental track that begins with a minor-key riff and quickly builds to a rhythmic chorus. The song also features a unique chord progression and a sound effect resembling a police car siren. It is also a strong example of Judas Priest’s trademark sound, which is both heavy and dark.
The song is a hit for the band and has been played on almost every live show since its release. Judas Priest have added a guitar solo to the track, which originally had no guitar solo. The song’s popularity has made it an important cultural reference. It is so popular that 76% of the world’s population can’t say it twice in a row. The song ranks right up there with Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in the West” and Hugh Grant’s “Love Actually” as being a high point in Western Civilisation.
Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law” has also been featured in a Liquid Death commercial. Liquid Death, a water company, sells their product in cans instead of plastic bottles. The song has also appeared in countless other commercials, TV shows, and movies. Liquid Death has even marketed its water as the ideal bongwater.
Merle Haggard’s “You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
“You Have the Right to Remain Silence” was written by Brenda and Cal Sweat and released in February 1995 as the title track of the group’s debut album, Perfect Stranger. It became the group’s only Top 40 hit, peaking at number four in August 1995. It remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks, until fading from the Top 40 to number 61.
X-Cops’ “You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
X-Cops’ only studio album, You Have the Right to Remain Silent, was released in 1995. It is a fun and energetic record that aims to make listeners happy while keeping them entertained. The album contains a mix of classic rock, alternative, and rap songs.
The X-Cops are a side-project of GWAR. Their songs are comedic, and range from speed metal to hardcore. The lyric sheet indicates track number one is titled “You F***ed Up.” It’s interesting to note that the sleeve of the album lists Highway Star, while track 14 is titled “You Have the Right to Remain Silent.”
GWAR formed X-Cops as a side-project during the mid-90s. X-Cops was initially an indie band, and GWAR’s sound merged with other elements of the band’s music.
