"I Shot the Sheriff" is a song originally written by Bob Marley, told from the point of view of a narrator who admits to having killed the local sheriff but claims to be falsely accused of having killed the deputy sheriff. The narrator also claims to have acted in self-defense when the sheriff tried to shoot her or him. The song 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."
The song is in natural minor in the key of G.
Read more about I Shot The Sheriff: Eric Clapton Version, Warren G Version, Later Samplings, Allusions, and Covers, Cover Versions in Other Languages
Famous quotes containing the words shot and/or sheriff:
“I have a lifetime appointment and I intend to serve it. I expect to die at 110, shot by a jealous husband.”
—Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993)
“The man’s an M.D., like you. He’s entitled to his opinion. Or do you want me to charge him with confusing a country doctor?”
—Robert M. Fresco. Jack Arnold. Sheriff Jack Andrews (Nestor Paiva)