Talk:I Shot the Sheriff

Theme/Meaning

Marley's cute comment notwithstanding, most of the theories I've read on this song connect it with heroin use. —Preceding unsigned comment added by JamesTheNumberless (talk • contribs) 15:59, 30 May 2006 (UTC)

That is possibly the most bizarre stretch of the imagination I have ever seen. Does that mean Buffalo Soldier is about tripping on mushrooms?--Koncorde 16:41, 29 July 2006 (UTC)

Maybe you could explain the connection for the rest of us...or, just leave us hanging, wondering. Tooktheskinheadsbowling (talk) 23:21, 9 March 2008 (UTC)

I believe the idea is that "Shooting up" is slang for drug usage. Heroin is known to have an effect on reproductive properties (hence the line 'Every time that I plant[ed] a Seed, he say "Kill it before it grows"') The implied drug use is tenuous, but further supported by other lyrics. A friend of mine was totally convinced the song metaphorically referred to Drug use (The part about freedom implying the concept of having gone clean, temptation overcomes the Singer and he just succumbs, and shoots down another hit 'I shot, I shot him down' - repetition from the high of the new fix). "The Deputy" could be termed as an anti-drug drug, or lesser narcotic, which the Singer infers to be an inferior substance, hence non-usage ('but I did not shoot the Deputy').

Other insinuations in the lyrics infer personal consumption ('I swear it was in self-defense' implies own usuage, the singer is not a pusher but an addict), punishment for drug consumption, ('And they say it is a Capital Offense') with destruction of person from usage and legal ramifications to drug use in some nations, confusion from usuage ('Sheriff John Brown always hated me for what, I don't know') and enertable depression after the intoxicating effects wears off.

Whilst all possibly implied, this is a confessional song so could be seen as a Drug user repenting his usage. He has good days and bad... and this is a bad day. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 199.67.203.140 (talk) 15:43, 11 September 2013 (UTC)

This is so far-fetched that it no longer makes any sense. It's one thing to claim the song is about drug use (I can buy that), but another to claim there is such a literal interpretation of the lyrics. For example, it's absurd to claim the "deputy" is an inferior substance. The songs literally talks about killing people (the sheriff, the deputy). "Shooting down" is not drug use jargon. The song may be a metaphor or oblique allusion to drug use, but it's ridiculous to make specific claims such as the deputy being an inferior substance or a cure. 200.127.158.54 (talk) 21:16, 4 May 2016 (UTC)

Should begin with a listing of Bob Marley's recorded versions

This entry does not list Bob Marley's live version, released on 'Songs of Freedom' Cd 2. There may be other recorded versions by Marley. I don't know.

To give Eric Clapton's cover version more coverage than that of Marley is off-balance. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Vonuan (talk • contribs) 11:30, 9 January 2012 (UTC)

Jackson 5/Michael Jackson Recording

Hey, this article misses this recording: [1]. I have no further information about this, only that this is Michael Jackson at his best performing I Shot the Sheriff. Does anyone know more about this video?--Svebert (talk) 10:20, 7 September 2012 (UTC) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEj7z9vbfLE

Warren G version: same song or different?

I think the Warren G version is a cover version, not a new song. It uses elements and the main theme of the Marley song and the Clapton cover, even though it has other new lyrics. Thoughts? Binksternet (talk) 18:57, 5 February 2013 (UTC)

Screamin Jay's version omitted

OK, I know, Screamin' Jay Hawkins was never as popular as the Beatles. Nevertheless his interpretation of the song is unique and special. He also added some very political lyrics. If anyone can shed light on this, I'd be glad. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.21.243.203 (talk) 21:06, 4 July 2014 (UTC)

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