The Ears of the Law: ATL’s Top Ten Law Songs
Last week, we were inspired by the intersection of music and law in the R. Kelly trial, so we launched a call for best songs about the law. We had lots of songs thrown our way. We’ve rounded them up after the jump, so you can vote for the best. We’ll take the top ten and anoint them “ATL’s Top Ten Law Songs.”
Now, back to R. Kelly, who could rightfully do a cover of “I fought the law (and the law I won).” He was acquitted Friday in his child porn trial. The Chicago Tribune has a profile piece on one of his lawyers, Sam Adam, Jr., who “delivered a largely improvised monologue filled with pop culture references, biblical quotations and a glimpse at how much the trial’s outcome meant to him personally.” Kelly’s spokesperson is quoted as saying Adam is on his way to “becoming a superstar.” Nice to see a lawyer getting rock-star-esque media coverage.
On to the voting. Check out the massive poll after the jump.
We’ve culled this list from your submissions. Vote for the best. There may just be a run-off vote.
As an R. Kelly defense attorney, Sam Adam Jr. makes his own case as a formidable lawyer [Chicago Tribune]
Earlier: Best Songs About The Law
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Comments
FIRST to say we don't really need this blog except for the distribution of hiring/firing/salary information.
If it wasn't for the humorous "human interest" stories, no one would check this blog on a regular basis. More page views = more revenue for Lat = more money to hire staff and expand the blog. Lat and Kash have to eat. They can't subsist on cat food and ramen noodles for ever.
How about NWA's "Fuck the Police"? That is a personal favorite.
Warren Zevon - Lawyers, Guns & Money....and it isn't even close.
You need an "other' option. I want to vote for Roxanne.
Or for "Kash Listens to Way Too Much Boring Music." But that might be more prose than song.
You need an "other' option. I want to vote for Roxanne.
Or for "Kash Listens to Way Too Much Boring Music." But that might be more prose than song.
How could R.Kelly "rightfully" do a cover of "I Fought the Law (and the Law Won)" when he was acquitted? Assuming, arguendo, that he was fighting the law, doesn't that mean he beat the law?
Tried by 12 is terrific
please. Law & Order Theme Song:
1. relevant
2. everyone can sing it
3. Perfectly encapsulates everything about the show and law...without saying a word.
Da-DUM-da-da-da-da-DAH!.... (yes, it's stuck in your head now, haha)
"I Fought the Law" by the Bobby Fuller 4 and by the Clash are the same song. Why not include the Van Halen version? Or why not include the Eric Clapton version of "I Shot the Sherriff?"
18 and Life clearly deserves to be on this list
3:14 - Since I don't work in Big Law, I don't find the topics you listed very interesting.
I would have said "I can't drive 55" but Sammy Hagar sucks.
Clearly the most appropriate song here is "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" by Jay-Z feat. R. Kelly. Check it out and hear R. Kelly crooning the chorus:
You can't touch me, no you can't touch me
Jigga, Kelly, not guilty
Try to charge me but I'm not guilty
I got, all, my mamis
I've got all of my mamis
Tell me, what you, want from me
Tell me.. (I am the one)
What you want from me? Not guilty
I'm Like a Lawyer With the Way I'm Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You) - Fall Out Boy
--
Ok this is lame. Fall Out Boy actually has a song about a trial on their new album... not that I actually listen to that crap.
"Blood in the Water" from Legally Blonde should've been on there!
Here's the beginning:
Now when you choose a law career
The moment you embark
There is that joke you're bound hear
A lawyer is a shark
Ignore that, it's simplistic and it's dumb
Only some of you will turn out sharks, just some
The rest are chum
Our topic is blood in the water
Kids, it's time you faced
Law school is a waste
Oh yes, unless you acquire a taste for
Blood in the water
Dark and red and raw
You're nothing until the thrill of the kill
Becomes your only law
3:38:
Hagar rules! So much better than Roth. Roth fans---your favorite singer sucks.
F the Police should be the write-in candidate.
3:46: Limousine Liberal.
911 is a Joke by Public Enemy should be on this list too.
And it's Van Halen, not Van Hagar.
Does Kash really eat cat food? Or is that new guy, the "pirate"?
how is "third rock from the sun" by joe diffie not on this list? that is TOTALLY about proximate causation!
how is "third rock from the sun" by joe diffie not on this list? that is TOTALLY about proximate causation!
If Kash or the pirate guy are really eating cat food, they could be seriously damaging their health. Many cat foods are made with unhealthy meat byproducts. See http://www.naturalnews.com/012647.html
Kash, just say no!
If you didn't vote for Lawyers, Guns & Money you're an idiot.
"And it's Van Halen, not Van Hagar."
--It's not the David Lee Roth Pants show either.
Hagar to lead singer again!
It has to be the Winners song from Nixon Peabody!!
Come on, let's make it Number 1!!!!
4:07: Agreed. although you and I are prolly the only ones here who know that song.
Hagar to Mas Tequila!
Jesus f*ing Christ, Kash, does the term "gatekeeping function" mean anything to you? I can't be bothered to even read through that list, much less vote. Narrow it down to 5-10 and get back to me.
Woody Guthrie sang a song called "Philadelphia Lawyer" in which the lawyer tries to get with some cowboy's girlfriend, and the cowboy kills him. good stuff.
oh - and sammy hagar really did suck.
Jackson Brown's Lawyers in Love, and Warren Zevon's "Lawyers Guns and Money" are still the classics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5puAN1PGQw
THere are way too many songs on the list. Kash, you should have used at least some of your own discretion to narrow it down, we would have trusted you.
The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends is easily the best law-related party song on there and phenomenal in concert.
One other thing on that woody guthrie tune: there's a strong implication that the lawyer is a douchebag, which contributes to the cowboy killing him.
Folsom Prison Blues. Easy.
I'd point to specific songs that I swear are listed at least twice (some may be listed more than that), but the list is too long to bother with.
What about "Everything Counts" by Depeche Mode? "The handshake seals the contract/From the contract, there's no turning back... Everything counts in large amounts" pretty much sums up Contracts first semester. Great list, though.
"I Fought the Law (and I Won)" was already done by the Dead Kennedys about the "Twinkie Defense."
Nixon Peabody's theme song should be on the list.
where is corporate avenger's "web of lies"
For all the "Lawyers, Guns, and Money" people, it isn't even really about the law or lawyers. Ever listen to it? It's about espionage.
Or was it dying of cancer...? (Maybe too soon)
Anyway, if your standards are so low, someone should have nominated "Boy Named Sue," for having the word "sue" in it.
dumbest poll ever. you've got another thing comin' if you think i'm reading through all of those...
yeah, i was expecting to see 10 maybe 15 songs. wilco is good.
yeah, i was expecting to see 10 maybe 15 songs. wilco is good.
Poll seems to be unaware of:
I fought the law (and I won) (Dead Kennedys)
cop killa should be sweeping everyone's vote. not only is a great song, it actually gives good instructions on how to help the world be a better place.
robert earl keen is a stupid texan cunt
50 cent
"Heat"
. . I do what I gotta do I don't care if I get caught
The D.A can play this mutherfuckin tape in court
I'll kill you...
I ain't playing'
Hear what im sayin'
Homie i aint playin'
Catch you slippin' I'm gon' kill you
man this is stupid. Are you people really too lazy to go through and pick out a few to narrow down the voting?
Dupree's Diamond Blues by the Grateful Dead!
The song is Beer For My Horses by Toby Keith and Willie Nelson. The line specifically is "Whiskey for my men and beer for my horses."
Better Get a Lawyer by The Cruel Sea:
Better get a lawyer son
Better get a real good one
Don't drop the soap
Don't smoke no dope
Get yourself a lawyer son
Your gonna need a good one
To getcha outa this one
Better Get a Lawyer by The Cruel Sea:
Better get a lawyer son
Better get a real good one
Don't drop the soap
Don't smoke no dope
Get yourself a lawyer son
Your gonna need a good one
To getcha outa this one
You need to add "Get Myself Arrested" by Gomez.
Hagar--Hagar--Hagar!!!!
Roth sux.
Agree with 4:06-7
Where is Joe Diffie's "3rd Rock from the Sun?"
Had a tort's professor that distributed the lyrics and played the song to teach proximate cause. Awesome!
There's another Fall Out Boy song that should be up here: "Our Lawyers Made us Change the Name of this Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued"