Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy song)

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"Jailbreak"
Jailbreak.JPG
UK single sleeve featuring (L–R): Robertson, Gorham, Lynott and Downey
Single by Thin Lizzy
from the album Jailbreak
B-side "Running Back"
Released6 August 1976 (UK) [1]
Studio Ramport, London
Genre Hard rock
Length4:01
Label Vertigo
Songwriter(s) Phil Lynott
Producer(s) John Alcock
Thin Lizzy singles chronology
"The Boys Are Back in Town"
(1976)
"Jailbreak"
(1976)
"Cowboy Song"
(1976)

"Jailbreak" is a song by Thin Lizzy that originally appeared as the title track on their 1976 album Jailbreak . Along with "The Boys Are Back in Town", it is one of their most popular songs, played frequently on classic rock radio.

Contents

The song is typical of the band's music, with the dual lead guitar harmony and Brian Robertson's use of the wah-wah pedal. Phil Lynott's lyrics about a prison break are the typical personification of the "tough guys", also seen in "The Boys Are Back in Town" and the regular concert closer and fan favourite "The Rocker". An alternate version of the song appeared on the bonus disc of the 2011 remastered deluxe edition of the Jailbreak album, featuring a short spoken introduction and additional guitar parts throughout.

Charts

Chart (1976)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [2] 31

Use in media

In December 2008, the song was named the 73rd best hard rock song of all time by VH1. [3]

"Jailbreak" is used in the films Detroit Rock City , Joe Dirt , Bordello of Blood , and Gracie . and was also used in the Veronica Mars episode "Ahoy, Mateys!" and on the MTV show Jackass .

On 3 February 2009, a live version of the song (from the Still Dangerous live album) was released as download content for the Rock Band series as part of a Thin Lizzy pack (which also contained versions of "The Boys Are Back in Town" and "Cowboy Song" from the same album).

Cover versions

"Jailbreak"
Jailbreak Anthrax.jpg
Song by Anthrax
from the album Anthems
Released1 March 2013 [4]
Genre Hard rock
Length4:06
Label Megaforce
Songwriter(s) Phil Lynott
Producer(s) Anthrax, Jay Ruston, Rob Caggiano

Personnel

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References

  1. "Thin Lizzy singles UK cat no".
  2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  3. "Vh1 Top 100 Hard Rock Songs". Archived from the original on 12 February 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  4. "Horns Up Rocks: Listen To ANTHRAX's Cover of THIN LIZZY's "Jailbreak"!". Hornsuprocks.blogspot.com. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  5. "Anthrax Release Cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Jailbreak'". Ultimateclassicrock.com. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2016.