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."[2]
In 1992,with the controversy surrounding the Ice-T song "Cop Killer",Marley's song was often cited by Ice-T's supporters as evidence of his detractors' hypocrisy,considering that the older song was never similarly criticised despite having much the same theme.[3]
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 replaced the word "doctor" with sheriff.[4]
Eric Clapton recorded a cover version that was included on his 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard. His performance of the song adds soft rock[7] to the reggae sound.[8]Billboard described this version as being "a catchy goof of a winner" despite not containing a guitar solo.[9]Cash Box called it a "smooth bluesy rocker with lots of guitar,keyboards and strong background harmonies."[10]Record World said that Clapton is "firing straight from the hip,both vocally and riff-wise."[11] Faring better in the charts,it peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100,his only US number one to date. In 2003,Clapton's version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[12]
"I Shot the Sheriff" served as the lead single from American rapper 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 Hot 100 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.[37][38]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Other versions
In 2012,New York based reggae band Island Head did an instrumental version on their debut album,Punky Reggae Party.[citation needed] This version features saxophonist Timmy Cappello who is known for playing with Tina Turner for 14 years and for his role in the film The Lost Boys. It was produced by Island Head drummer Billy Messinetti and also features Mikey Chung,Andy Bassford and keyboard player David Frank of the System.[citation needed]
In 2025,Island Head released a vocal version. Using the 2012 recording,vocalist Billy Messinetti followed the lead saxophone performance played by Timmy Cappello.
↑ Smith, Chris (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: From Arenas to the Underground, 1974–1980. Greenwood Press. p.102. ISBN0-313-32937-0.
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