Firearms in Popular Music

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bear71

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Post some others.

Here's a ZZ Top gem and three more very recognizable tunes.

Gun Love - ZZ Top

"She likes to shoot her gun,
Shootin at the target of love.
She likes to load her chamber,
Hot and tight like a black leather glove.
Shes a little freak, but shell take you in.
You might be sittin at the end of a firing pin.
Gun love, gun love, gun love,
Shes a real gun lover,
Gun love, gun love, gun love,
Shes a real gun lover tonight.

Shes so particular, she likes a smith and wesson or colt.
But shell give you some lovin as long as shes cockin the bolt.
Better hold on when shes up to her tricks
Playin russian roulette but shell load all six.
Gun love, gun love, gun love,
Shes a real gun lover,
Gun love, (gun love) gun love, (gun love) gun love,
Shes a real gun lover tonight.

She likes the punch deep down in her pistolero.
Running with the wild bunch, makin like a robert dinero.
Shes kinda shy but make no mistake,
Shell shoot you full of love till your love bone aches.
Gun love, gun love, gun love,
Shes a real gun lover,
Gun love, (gun love) gun love, gun love,
Shes a real gun lover tonight.
Shes a real gun lover.
Shes a real gun lover tonight."

Hey Joe - old standard popularized by Jimi Hendrix

"Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand
Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand

I'm going down to shoot my old lady
You know, I've caught her messin' around with another man
I'm going down to shoot my old lady
You know, I've caught her messin' around with another man
And that ain't too cool"

I Shot The Sheriff- Bob Marley

"I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no! Oh!
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, oo-ooh.)
Yeah! All around in my home town,
They're tryin' to track me down;
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the killing of a deputy,
For the life of a deputy."

Down By the River- Neil Young

"Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead."
 
New Life in Old Mexico-Robert Earl Keen

In the el vaquero bar in the town of eagle pass
Moments from my freedom warm whiskey in my glass
Some boracho took me for the man who stole his wife
He went for his forty-four as i reached for my knife
He never fired a second shot he was just too slow
My new life is waiting in old mexico



Loving County-Charlie Robison

I walked in that bar and I drank
myself crazy
Thinking about her and that man
When in walked a woman
Lookin' richer than sin and ten years worth
of work on her hand
Well, I followed her home and when she
was alone
I put my gun to her head
I don’t' recall what happened next at all
But now that rich woman she's dead
 
This is from a rap song. I don't remember the "artist's" name, but I remember they also did a song called Insane in the Brain

I'm a chicken hawk hunting for a chicken
Get paranoid when Ya hear my glock clickin
Cock the hammer, it's time for action

Don't remember any of the rest of it. I'm sure you guys will be heartbroken by that.:D
 
Dallas After Midnight-Ray Wylie Hubbard

I came runnin’ back, blinded by sweat, blood and tears.
I said, Jack the cat had a gun, hah, let’s get outa here.
I didn’t say nothin’ as we drove away.
I kept askin’ myself how’d I ever get so mean I couldn’t pray?

Guns For Hire-AC/DC

I got guns for hire Shoot you with desire The guns for hire Shoot you with desire I'm a wanted poster A needed man Running right across the land I'm a smooth operator A big dictator Gonna mark you with my brand My gun's for hire Shoot you with desire Got gun's for hire Shoot you with desire

Cowboys of the Sea-Springsteen

And with the seaman's grip on submarining
And some aqualung outlaws
Our guns are made of solid dreamin'
And bullets from a broken cause
And with hand held high to touch the sky
A good Texas Ranger I'll be
But sometimes I feel like a lone stranger
'Midst the cowboys of the sea

Tennessee Stud-Johnny Cash

Me and the gambler, we couldn't agree
We got in a fight over Tennessee Pulled our guns and he fell with a thud
And I rode away on a Tennessee Stud

Don't Take Your Guns to Town-Johnny Cash

Filled with rage then
Billy Joe reached for his gun to draw
But the stranger drew his gun and fired
Before he even saw
As Billy Joe fell to the floor
The crowd all gathered 'round
And wondered at his final words
Don't take your guns to town son
Leave your guns at home Bill
Don't take your guns to town

Little Sadie-Bob Dylan

Went out last night just to take a little round
I get my little Sadie and I brought her down
I run right home and I went to bed
With a forty-four smokeless under my head.
 
Copacabana-Barry Manilow

But Rico went a bit too far, Tony sailed across the bar
And then the punches flew and chairs were smashed in two
There was blood and a single gun shot
But just who shot who?
At the Copa, Copacabana

Bad Guys Always Die-Eminem

Feelin bold, gangsters blood runs cold
It's time to reload this old .45 colt
The wind's gusty, it's hot, muggy and dusty
Bust a couple shots, make sure I'm not rusty
It's passed noon, he should be here soon
 
Does rap count as music?
Click to expand...

hell yeah

crunchy black- twin 45's

It's rap, it has lots of profanity, in your face attitude, etc, you've been warned

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj1BX9JHipg

I can't find the lyrics, so I'll give the chorus.

"these twin 45's, I ain't got them for show, you don't know me *****, you don't know me bro.
I'm up at the club and I'm smokin' on dro, you don't know me *****, you don't know me bro."

.....among other things......
 
My experience with firearms in music is that the lyrics usually show or highlight irresponsible use of firearms. Responsible use is not an exciting subject of lyrics, so it is always highlighting negative uses. Playing on the emotions of tragedy.

For example of your four cited examples Bear71 the bottom three are negative uses of a firearm.
One to kill a LEO. Two to kill thier wife/girlfriend.


Most music involving firearms, of any genre, is generally highlighting the worst uses of a firearm.
From Rock to Rap, Country to Pop.

Whether about killing someone over an insult (lot of rap, and some rock), killing them for no reason (like Johny Cash's shot a man in Reno "just to watch him die"), killing an ex lover or who they are with, or both (tons of country). Glorifying a criminal spree. Or otherwise harming a person out of anger.
Then of course some have a suicidal theme.

A gun is almost always associated with a negative action in music. While most people use firearms responsibly, it is the negative possibilities which songs are written about.

For that reason I don't really see such topics as beneficial. 99% of all songs about firearms are about negative uses.


I guess one good one about bombs exploding, guns firing and a battle raging is our own star spangled banner. Based on the the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British war ships during the War of 1812.
 
What about using one to kill a crooked judge when the lights go out it Georgia? Kinda depends on who you ask if it's a negative action.
 
I forgot to mention

Regulators-Warren G

So I hooks a left on the 21 and Lewis
Some brothas shootin' dice so I said "Let's do this"
I jumped out the ride,
And said "What's up?"
Some brothas pulled some gats so I said "I'm stuck."

Sixteen in the clip and one in the hole
Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold
Now they droppin' and yellin'
It's a tad bit late
Nate Dogg and Warren G had to regulate

I laid all them busters down
I let my gat explode
Now I'm switching my mind back into freak mode
If you want skirts sit back and observe
I just left a gang of those over there on the curb

First rap...song? I ever heard
 
I agree... I don't really see how this topic is going to go anywhere postive, with nearly every "gun lyric" in today's "popular" music consists of negative sterotypes and useless "tough guy" posturing on behalf of the artists. Its hardly benefical to the overall ideas of gun safety and responsible gun ownership. The above song is just one such example--- Its about shooting your way out of an illegal dice game on the streets. Why don't I believe THAT particular scenario will be featured in the "Armed Citizen" section of American Rifleman? I'm not advocating censorship or anything of the like. I listen to some of the very music in question myself. However, I don't think such lyrics and whatnot belong on a board discussing lawful, legal use of firearms. Such music shouldn't be censored or banned, but I really question what usefulness there is in quoting such lyrics here on the THR. I could recite Ice-T/ Bodycount's song "Cop Killer" too, but is that the type of associations we want to make with the THR? I don't think so myself
 
"I'm a chicken hawk hunting for a chicken
Get paranoid when Ya hear my glock clickin
Cock the hammer, it's time for action"
"Mack10 was the group, and I believe the Beastie Boys did a cover on it later."
Click to expand...
And "insane in the membrane" was group known as Cypress Hill.

How about KISS, Love Gun? Does that count? Not really a gun per se.....
 
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I've got to agree with Zoogster, I've always prefered the way firearms are portrayed in poetry

As far as your Rifles Cover
Do you think, you slaves of a thousand years to poverty, wealth and pride,
You can crush the spirit that has been free in a land that's new and wide?
When you've scattered the last of the farmer bands, and the war for a while is over,
You will hold the land – ay, you'll hold the land – the land that your rifles cover.

Till your gold has levelled each mountain range where a wounded man can hide,
Till your gold has lighted the moonless night on the plains where the rebels ride;
Till the future is proved, and the past is bribed from the son of the land's dead lover –
You may hold the land – you may hold the land just as far as your rifles cover.

Henry Lawson

and

Every Man Should have a Rifle
So I sit and write and ponder, while the house is deaf and dumb,
Seeing visions "over yonder" of the war I know must come.
In the corner - not a vision - but a sign for coming days
Stand a box of ammunition and a rifle in green baize.
And in this, the living present, let the word go through the land,
Every tradesman, clerk and peasant should have these two things at hand.

No - no ranting song is needed, and no meeting, flag or fuss -
In the future, still unheeded, shall the spirit come to us!
Without feathers, drum or riot on the day that is to be,
We shall march down, very quiet, to our stations by the sea.
While the bitter parties stifle every voice that warns of war,
Every man should own a rifle and have cartridges in store!

Henry Lawson
 
Nobody posted Skynyrd?

"Gimme three steps"

"I was cutting the rug
Down at a place called the jug
With a girl named linda lu
When in walked a man
With a gun in his hand
And he was looking for you know who.
He said, hey there fellow,
With the hair colored yellow,
Watcha tryin to prove?
cause thats my woman there
And Im a man who cares
And this might be all for you.

I was scared and fearing for my life.
I was shakin like a leaf on a tree.
cause he was lean, mean,
Big and bad, lord,
Pointin that gun at me.
I said, wait a minute, mister,
I didnt even kiss her.
Dont want no trouble with you.
And I know you dont owe me
But I wish youd let me
Ask one favor from you.

(chorus)
wont you give me three steps,
Gimme three steps mister,
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps
Gimme three steps mister,
And youll never see me no more.

Well the crowd cleared away
And I began to pray
As the water fell on the floor.
And Im telling you son,
Well, it aint no fun
Staring straight down a forty-four.
Well he turned and screamed at linda lu
And thats the break I was looking for.
And you could hear me screaming a mile away
As I was headed out towards the door.

(chorus)."

How about...

"Mr Saturday Night Special"

"Two feets they come a creepin'
Like a black cat do
And two bodies are layin' naked
Creeper think he got nothin' to lose
So he creeps into this house, yeah
And unlocks the door
And as a man's reaching for his trousers
Shoots him full of .38 holes

(Chorus)
Mr.Saturday night special
Got a barrel that's blue and cold
Ain't no good for nothin'
But put a man six feet in a hole

Big Jim's been drinkin' whiskey
And playing poker on a losin' night
And pretty soon, Big Jim starts a thinkin'
Somebody been cheatin' and lyin'
So Big Jim commences to fightin'
I wouldn't tell you no lie
And Big Jim done pull his pistol
Shot his friend right between the eyes

(Chorus)

Oooh Saturday night special...
For twenty dollars you can buy yourself one too...

Oooh let me tell you all about it...

Well hand guns are made for killin'
They ain't no good for nothin' else
And if you like to drink your whiskey
You might even shoot yourself
So why don't we dump 'em people
To the bottom of the sea
Before some ole fool come around here
Wanna shoot either you or me

(Chorus)

Ooooh it's a Saturday night special
And I'd like to tell you what you can do with it too..."

Not exactly pro-gun,huh :rolleyes:
 
Kipling is still pertinent today...

Tommy

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
 
I can not believe no one has posted any Uncle Ted! Too lazy to look up the lyrics, but a couple of song titles that come to mind are Storm Troopers and Love Grenade. While they may not mention guns specifically, Great White Buffalo assumes the presents of firearms. I'm sure there are MANY many more songs by the Nuge' that discuss firearms.
 
Ringo...By Lorne Green. Yes. The actor.

Lorne Green
"Ringo"

He lay face down in the desert sand
Clutching his six-gun in his hand
Shot from behind, I thought he was dead
But under his heart was an ounce of lead
But a spark still burned so I used my knife
And late that night I saved the life of Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . .)

I nursed him till the danger passed
The days went by, he mended fast
Then from dawn till setting sun
He practiced with that deadly gun
And hour on hour I watched in awe
No human being could match the draw of Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )

One day we rode the mountain crest
And I went east and he went west
I took to law and wore a star
While he spread terror near and far
With lead and blood he gained such fame
All throught the West they feared the name of Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )

I knew someday I'd face the test
Which one of us would be the best
And sure enough the word came down
That he was holed up in the town
I left the posse out in the street
And I went in alone to meet Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )

They said my speed was next to none
But my lightning draw had just begun
When I heard a blast that stung my wrist
The gun went flying from my fist
And I was looking down the bore
Of the deadly .44 of Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )

They say that was the only time
That anyone had seen him smile
He slowly lowered his gun and then
He said to me "We're even, friend"
And so at last I understood
That there was still a spark of good in Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )

I blocked the path of his retreat
He turned and stepped into the street
A dozen guns spit fire and lead
A moment later, he lay dead
The town began to shout and cheer
Nowhere was there shed a tear for Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )

The story spread throughout the land
That I had beaten Ringo's hand
And it was just the years, they say
That made me put my guns away
But on his grave they can't explain
The tarnished star above the name of Ringo

(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )
(Ringo . . . Ringo . . . )
 
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I am not going to type the song out but.... Steve Earle Mama said the pistol is the Devil's right hand.
 
This is from a rap song. I don't remember the "artist's" name, but I remember they also did a song called Insane in the Brain
Click to expand...

If that's true, its Cypress Hill. This will be a cool thread if we can keep it positive.
 
You know who killing it, ***** saying they militant
The only blood in the street is when the government spilling it
You could have a hand gun or a cannon
And you still softer than Dannon
Without the knowledge and wisdom and understanding of
A .22 (derringer)
A .38 (long)
A .44 (desert eag')
A Glock Nine
Time to protect the fam I'm a cock mine
I make the streets run red like a stop sign stop lying

...from "Gun Music" by Talib Kweli. I love it because it doesn't advocate gun violence like every other rap song I've ever wasted my time listening to.
 
Johny Cash (The Man In Black)

Don't take your guns to town son
leave your guns at home Bill
don't take your guns to town.


How about a song from our childhood

Little froggy he did ride, sword and pistol on his side

Hank Jr.

A country boy can survive
and shoot'em up with my colt 45.


Bubba shot the jutebox
 
Carmelita

The Ronstadt version:

Well I pawned my Smith & Wesson
And I went to meet my man

The (late) Warren Zevon version:

Well I pawned my Smith Corona
And I went to meet my man

Trudy (Charlie Daniels, I think)

Carried a switchblade knife in his left hip pocket
And a 44 hog leg up under his coat
Cut you down in a New York minute
If he catch you cheating that was all she wrote

(later)

He ripped off the bar like a 707
Pretty soon he done won all of my bread
I accused him of cheating he reached for a pistol
I grabbed a chair and went upside of his head
 
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