"I Fought The Law" by The Clash

Dive into the iconic punk anthem "I Fought The Law" by The Clash with our in-depth, note-for-note guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com. Known for its energetic riffs and catchy hooks, this song provides guitarists with a fantastic opportunity to master several essential guitar techniques while enjoying the vibrant energy of punk rock. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Background

Originally penned by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets, "I Fought The Law" gained iconic status when The Clash released their influential punk-rock rendition in 1979. Guitarists Mick Jones and Joe Strummer transformed this rock and roll standard into a punk staple, known for its powerful chords, driving rhythms, and infectious melody. Jones and Strummer, pioneers of punk-rock guitar playing, had a profound influence on generations of guitarists by blending straightforward playing with a raw, powerful sound.

Guitar Techniques in "I Fought The Law"

Power Chords

The cornerstone of "I Fought The Law" is built upon powerful, driving power chords. Learning this technique helps guitarists develop their rhythm playing and provides the ability to deliver robust and clear-sounding riffs essential for rock and punk music. Mastering power chords also significantly boosts fretboard navigation and finger strength.

Barre Chords

In addition to power chords, the song utilises barre chords to add depth and variation. Practicing barre chords in this context enhances your chord-changing abilities, improves finger dexterity, and increases endurance in the fretting hand. Barre chords also open the door to playing across the entire neck, which is vital for advancing guitarists.

Palm Muting

"I Fought The Law" effectively uses palm muting to give the rhythm guitar a punchy, rhythmic effect that defines the track's punk attitude. Palm muting is beneficial for improving rhythmic accuracy, timing, and adding a percussive element to your guitar playing. It also greatly influences dynamic control, allowing you to manage the energy levels within your performances.

Alternate Picking

Another essential technique highlighted in this lesson is alternate picking. This fundamental technique enables smooth, consistent, and rapid picking patterns, essential for accurately delivering the energetic riffs found throughout the song. Developing strong alternate picking skills greatly enhances your overall playing speed, accuracy, and efficiency.

String Bending

Adding expressiveness and a bluesy flavour, string bending is prominently featured in the song’s solos and melodic lines. Mastering bends allows guitarists to inject emotion and attitude into their solos, developing ear training and pitch accuracy. This technique significantly contributes to personalising your lead guitar style.

Double Stops

"I Fought The Law" utilises double stops, which involve playing two notes simultaneously. Double stops add richness and harmony to your guitar parts, giving solos and riffs a fuller, more textured sound. Practicing this technique enhances finger coordination and your understanding of harmonic structures.

Slides

The song also incorporates smooth, effortless slides, essential for adding character and fluidity to your playing. Slides facilitate seamless fretboard movement and enable expressive melodic transitions. This simple yet effective technique greatly improves finger control and musical expressiveness.

About the Guitarists

The Clash's Mick Jones and Joe Strummer are legendary figures in rock history, recognised for their distinctive sound and aggressive playing style. Their innovative blend of reggae, punk, rockabilly, and rock helped shape the future of alternative and punk rock guitar playing. Jones’s melodic sensibility and Strummer’s intense rhythm guitar playing set standards that influenced countless musicians globally, solidifying their legacy in rock and punk history.

Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Barre Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Double Stops
• Slides

Explore these essential techniques in detail with our "I Fought The Law" guitar lesson and become proficient in playing one of punk rock’s most beloved anthems.