“I Shot the Sheriff” (29) is a song written by Bob Marley. It was first released in 1973 on The Wailers’ album Burnin’. Marley explained his intention as follows: “I want to say ‘I shot the police’ but the government would have made a fuss so I said ‘I shot the sheriff’ instead… but it’s the same idea: justice.” In 2012, Marley’s former girlfriend Esther Anderson claimed that the lyrics, “Sheriff John Brown always hated me / For what, I don’t know / Every time I plant a seed / He said, ‘Kill it before it grow'” are actually about Marley being very opposed to her use of birth control pills; Marley supposedly substituted the word “doctor” with sheriff.
Eric Clapton recorded a cover version that was included on his 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard. His performance of the song adds a soft rock to the reggae sound. Billboard described this version as being “a catchy goof of a winner” despite not containing a guitar solo. Cash Box called it a “smooth bluesy rocker with lots of guitar, keyboards and strong background harmonies.” Faring better in the charts, it peaked at number one on the Billboard, his only US number one to date. In 2003, Clapton’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
“I Shot the Sheriff” is the lead single released from Warren G’s second album, Take a Look Over Your Shoulder. Warren replaced Marley’s original lyrics with his own, although Clapton’s version of the song is sampled and R&B singer Nancy Fletcher sings the original chorus. The song was a hit in several countries. In the US, it peaked at number 20 on the Billboard and was certified Gold by the RIAA on 2 May 1997. It peaked at number two in the UK and at number one in New Zealand.
In 2020, Brighton band The Big Push produced a cover version which returned the song to its reggae roots.
