POLICE AND THIEVES ORIGINAL 1976 CUT

[StickyyWinklee]

a bloke sung this o.O daaaaayum! still, what a tune haha;D

[neally76]

Thumbs up if your love of Reggae brought you here

[dogaloz]

Great memories of the fascists being kicked ragged all over London's streets, and their curly tailed friends.

[malcstag]

Anthem of so many informative years for so many people, blessed

[merciasound]

Only black bloke I know who can't dance!!!!

[reepityou]

@merciasound

There are many more,you could see them to. If you only took off those colored sunglasses.

[J0nesMusic]

I start a night out with The Clash's version and end it with this

[DrunkenPostie]

Nicked this off a Dj deck in '82 and wapped into my Walkman.

[jay07870]

wonderful,nothing compares now.

[wuggynchris]

il bet he stole that mike

[blackmore4]

Blimey, what a voice.

[blaze952]

Immaculate voice

[tokkeification]

This music reminds me of great Radio Luxembourg "208" medium wave,,, in the seventies, when we only had boring/hopeless monopoly national radio on the fm.

[123gogary]

first time i've seen this on TOTP

[youngian]

I heard he was appalled by the Clash cover, having never heard punk and then got the context and changed his mind.

[74bomayemcfc]

Lovely little number...

[pedrofaba]

the clash version is way better,he sounds like a woman singing

[Lieu3C4]

War Officer: man in command of unit which may body double to order.

Peacemaker: frighty thing policemans run away frum.

~1:18 Hearing warchew sayiz mun.

[Incudius]

Brillant and it still rings tue today. Oh, and don't slag off de Clash cover, it was a tribute by boys that knew the sentiment.

The day this song stops making sense is the day we can all wake up with a smile. All of us.

[julia71127]

remember this one after notting hill carnival that year very scary and never went there again shame really like the song though

[createdbyme4you]

still bad tune and will b forever !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HairH2O]

I do not have a proplem with the Clash's version because their friend hanged out with the side my family and friends were and are part of.

[xxxLoquillo]

Lo maximo el video ese es el verdadero raggae

[liverpool2878]

dont prefer clash version just listen to the lyrics,ehem you twat

[jeffearth1]

Purity rise up from oppression, make the riot in your heart not in their shopping centres, steel your virtue.

[MrBillydill]

i turned up with bollocks in 77 and a saarforner turned up with this album in 77 what a 2 wks we had in yorkshire

[pinkandjefflynne]

tune

[liverpool2878]

good tune,both versions good,clash cant be knocked,showin a white band apparent punks,can cover a black tune fairly well,brave of them back in the day,couldn imagine bob marley covering white riot,could you?no offence to anyone white or black meant,oh and i know bob has passed away befor the idiots start,was used as an example.

[DAYMEEONOW]

"police and thieves in the street,scarin the nation with,guns and ammunation!" Aint that a BITCH!

[HairH2O]

@DAYMEEONOW This song was made to make the world aware of the political violence that was going on in Jamaica at that time.

[HairH2O]

@DAYMEEONOW right wing vs socialist

[pardyshay]

this song is as powerfull now as it was when 1st released and the meaning of the song is as relavent today as it was then/

[xmazza9]

One Love

[thetook]

I like The Clash and I like The Clash cover but this version BLOWS away their version.

[mrssplurge]

''Police and Thieves'' in London August 2011....... nuff said......

[orange69ful]

have a smoke and this song is wicked get pissed and the clash version is wicked too music is the be all and end all of all of lifes fuck ups

[low7172]

People who cares which version is better! Listen to the words behind the song. I would think is a great thing that your getting a song in two genure of music to enlight the people. Do you really think the powers that control things sit down and argue which is better and what music sucks or black vs white NO its rich vs poor now. Enjoy the music for what it is! Music and enlightment.

[swongie]

@low7172 YES YEs, dont be blinded by any of their manufactured distractions. Stand up and take back what is yours!!!

[thetook]

Love this song! The Clash version is super this is beyond super awesome!

[gateprofeten]

This song became very up to date again - London Cut

[Kwekwe]

thumbs up if current London situation brought you here

[justatube]

Liverpool 2011

[TannerLondon]

How apt for London at the moment.

[spennynash]

Tottenham and Enfield.....stand up!!

[DelStrainComedy]

Sarf London ....Man the Clash were taking their hat off to the original both are good without one their wouldnt have been the other, And for a white Punk band to drop this at time was a big deal..ANL.

[RobVIII]

Played Brixton last night with Willie Williams. Utter bliss. Only in South London.....x

[philsavory]

Though surely you mean Sarf, not South ;) x

[mrssplurge]

@philsavory

Sarf, Souwth, Sout, its all the same to me, you can take the girl outta sarf london, but you can never take the sarf london outta the girl...... i soooooo miss south london...................

[philsavory]

Mrs. Splurge, I'm envious of your memories. Please forgive me.

[mrbillhicks]

What the fuck was going on at 1.32 was he doing the splits or something ?

[justatube]

@mrbillhicks haha

[jjen2u]

Those blues dances, parties & Sunday dinner ah cook....tune too baad!

[guttersnipe77]

Listen to the music and you'll hear a magical backing track that is both unique and timeless. No one comes close to this with such basic equipment (well perhaps King Tubby)

I feel The Clash's version is a homage and not a cover version, and was done out of a genuine love of the original and the reggae music of the time.

[blamaco]

Well this is the orrrrriginal tune an' tings, straight from the Lee Perry sessions at the Black Ark.....forget all that clap-trap about personal opinion.... Its no contest...this version rules.!!!

The lyrics of the song and Junior's particular delivery of it were apt, prominent and relevant to events in Jamaica at the time..... the Clash? who the hell are they???

[chrisnmayor]

who the hell are the clash? the only white band to get their picture hung on the wall of lee scratch perry's recording studio!

[PBANDSNOW]

The Clash’s is better, No this is better, no The Clash’s is better. It doesnt matter, we all have our own opinions on music.

[TheProgSound]

dig the falsetto and fidel castro gear. classic. clash or this one? they both rock it. very powerful song

[caspiax61]

Is this the best reggae song ever? Many people think so, Many people who first hated reggae, even Marley, became reggaeists after hearing this master peace.

[sharkabilly]

Classic recording. Great voice. Junior is also a great guitarist. Played on Marley's Exodus, saw him live with Tosh. Who gives a crap if he can dance according to someone else's opinion? This is the quintessential version of the song. I'm a big Clash fan and like their version but this is the source.

[twobax]

beats the clash



[PBANDSNOW]

@twobax Two different songs with similar lyrics.

[TYISCLOSER]

this tune reminds of the brixton i grew up in and loved.... sadly it is no more!!

[thanxx]

chillllll winston lol.

[peterpeterpeter101]

I thought all black guys had rhythm, someone needs to teach this brother to dance :)

wicked tune btw.

[drgnfr]

@peterpeterpeter101

Peter, his dance is great and proud just as any rastafari;s. If you knew about African traditional dances, you would definitely see its linkage.

[peterpeterpeter101]

@drgnfr hey what do I know, maybe i know nothing, he still cant dance. meaning he is stiff as a board, this may well be a African traditional dance, yet could have presented it in a far better fashion. injecting some of the Caribbean spirit into his movement. no need to reply....

[drgnfr]

@peterpeterpeter101 Put I will reply: "Stiff" may not be as suitable a word, "stoned" might be :o>

[peterpeterpeter101]

@drgnfr how did i know you would reply, TBH I really don't care much for Junior Marvins state of mind, you can reply if you really feel the need to be heard. or you can not reply if you feel that way, ill leave it up to you to decide which option you are going to choose.

[DjTsj]

fuk who taught him to dance ???

[brack909]

I love Junior's AND the Clash's version.

[stockcar4d]

looks like some gorilla warfare general that got booted out of some gorilla type of scenario?

[hamogunjafarmer]

Cool mon, cool......damn the system and the papal "Discovery Doctrine" which has caused misery to indigenous and other groups of people all over the world.. Thanks for posting.

[Futura2500]

I prefer this version myself to the clash version tbh, but then again this music was well before my time

[jltardiff]

@Futura2500 Was LONG before the Clash tried doing this song!

[cpj93070]

@jltardiff no it wasn't it was originaly done in summer 76 but the clash recored there version feb of 77, yeah thats really a long time before isnt it lol, oh and anyone saying the clash played cod reggae just lision to "armagideon time" "one more time" and "bankrobber" and there dub partners with the help of mikey dread they created genuine jamaican dub and they were the only white band to go on top of lee scratch perry's wall of his recording studio in jamacia, they did actually make real dub.

[takeapissonme]

He looks so HOT !!!!

[mrssplurge]

Memories of curried goat. rice n peas, fried plantains, rum and coke, and ''police and thieves '' playing into the early hours on a sunny bank holiday weekend in south london 1981... ahhhhhhhhhhhh sweet memories, takes me back all the wayyyyyy.

[jewelreloaded44]

@mrssplurge Yes, great memories, all nighter blues parties ;0)

[pinkandjefflynne]

@mrssplurge You ain't mentioned spliff, the Police, unemployment...

[TEXBATES]

Classic

[PBANDSNOW]

I prefer the clash version, just saying it to see how much pathetic shit im going to get for it.

[08kalo]

love dis cut!! check jb00g's version of police and thieves it goes!

[LisergicoRojo]

GO JUNIOR FIGHTIN THE FUCKING SYSTEM!

[DiscoCol08]

class.......

[indianpassingthru]

Ahhhhhh, the year 1980. sweet sweet youth, where art thou?

[duncabbin]

Check out "Tedious" by Junior Murvin

[Miken2689]

I love this song but lmfao i always thought that it was a women singing cause its so high pitched lol well now i know

[MrDoyleye]

this was in rockers. befor lock stock

[MancsMonkey]

Agree with Stan

[uani69]

love the way he sits down half way through

[ballooification]

thought it was Clash original! love it what a voice

[Dragonrdh]

Love his moves (and the song).

[mockerist]

classic...what a voice!

[antitodd]

:19 seconds in he grows smoke on his back for a little bit

[adambelfast1]

is this song in lock stock and two smokin barrels?

[SuperKavash]

@adambelfast1 It is mate.

[adambelfast1]

@adambelfast1 thanks mate was wondering

[jilli56]

genious with voices MAGICALLLLLLLL

[lilcoopster209]

i heard this song in 1990 on one of my brothers mix tapes and always takes me back as a kid

[hanif13]

@beyondgreat. thank you mate!

[justingeist]

F Akon. I want this guy singing the hook on the new Dre.

[hanif13]

Somebody told me that Junior was from Birmingham..England (obviously) is that true folks?

[beyondgreat]

@hanif13 No I think the same place Bob Marley lived in Kingston Trench Town. He made this song because of the political war in Jamaica. Because the people could not speak openly about what they were going through.

[maucon12]

revelation times

[XdefendersOFhawaiiX]

IRIE MON GOOD VIBES i&i BLAZE DE FiYAH KRIPP ALOHAZ

[HardGalFeDead]

from Genesis to Revelations, yeah.

[xgn12767]

Classic 1976 roots reggae. I love this track. Any one who prefers the Clash version is an idiot. The Clash were a great punk band but their reggae stuff is bland & uninteresting.  The Clash doing Junior Murvin is like Pat Boone doing Little Richard. More whitewash than white riot.

[theman2017inc]

@xgn12767 Nah nah, don't be so harsh. Anyone who preferred the Clash's version clearly hasn’t heard the superior original. Earlier this year, Robert Elms of BBC London Radio did a feature called "Cover to Cover" where both the original by Junior Murvin and The Clash's cover version were compared. The listenership clearly decided that Junior’s original won hands down!!!!!

[BenHughesLlan]

@xgn12767 "Any one who prefers the Clash version is an idiot." Thats a pretty pathetic thing to say, in case you have not noticed people have different music tastes from you, that does not make them idiots.

[LisergicoRojo]

@BenHughesLlan plus man the clash were cool with the rastas, punky reaggae parties all around

[allegromarcato]

@BenHughesLlan I like them both.

[ezekielthemack]

@BenHughesLlan "Any one who prefers the Clash version is an idiot." Thats a pretty pathetic thing to say - No mate that's a CORRECT thing to say and I speak as a man who likes the Clash's music i.e. "Bank robber", "I fought the law" etc. but when it comes to THIS track they should have left well alone.

[matthk]

@BenHughesLlan Well said Ben, I agree - to a point. I'd say anyone who likes, say... Kenny G, Celine Dion, Nickelback or Paris Hilton to name but a few, is - if not quite an idiot - someone whose musical taste says a lot about their complete lack of taste, style and ability to understand the nuances of music. ;-)

[2hvr]

@xgn12767 Peace and Love to all at Christmas time.  Enjoy De Music, Man

[mymgftube]

classic.........

[tkcomune]

Prefer the Clash's version

[uniquejj]

A true reggae classic.

[shamrock1701]

love the song.. but makes my eyes water waiting for him to blink

[vivianetorres86]

cool

[mastaace604]

he makes up for his dancing with his singing, so stfu u haterade drinkers

[Shuto123]

Junior Murvin is not the same guy who was Bob Marleys lead guitarist Junior Marvin he is an artist in his own right. A mistake often made, recently by Lisa Tarbuck who knows nothing about Reggae music.

[Shuto123]

English Stan B side 'Soldier and Police War'

[Ayanfe13]

His falsetto is so great and the dancing...great

[thegrandfather100]

grew up listening to this...love it!!

[cd2291]

I love this 1, Damn what a music :D

[spudley13]

english stan the song u on about is SOLDIER AND POLICE WAR by JAH LION .... what a tune was out in 1976 on island records go listen to it ...

[spudley13]

english stan the song u on about is SOLDIER AND POLICE WAR by JAH LION .... what a tune was out in 1976 on island records go listen to it ...fuckin brilliant .......

[Dahnje]

I guess we have four stupid fucks who wanted to exercise the dislike just for the fuck of it. Who would waste time fucking with a classic song?

[mammamaya61]

I want to eat him up!

[tuckett21]

Love this tune!

[Schimpelman]

Was all the time where this "show me your genitals" guy got his dancing skills from. Now I know

[adande81]

junior marvin was part of bob marley and the wailers group

[mainface]

blessed by lord scratch perry

[MegaNattyboy]

Bunked off school, drank vodka and listened to this. Would kill my kids if they done that.... He!He! what htey dont know and all that, what a F*****g sound though. Would kill them for that too. xxx

[mrapsiv]

hope junior has given up dancing - good stuff though

[mycultureisbetter]

he dances like a white guy

[muttilo]

@mycultureisbetter Yawn..whatever..Anyhow Classic track !!

[pw342]

@mycultureisbetter

bet you dance like a girl

[mycultureisbetter]

@pw342 why you gotta go there

[mammamaya61]

@mycultureisbetter I think he dances as if he is gay!!!

[sativahigh5]

i always a lady sang this song lol

[sealuiz]

Why can I find Police and Thieves' Album lyrics?

[kikahall]

@sealuiz

google it

[teeplanet]

maaaaan, thats a cool ass dance

[pjharnett]

Junior had hardly aged at all when he appeared 25 years later as "Papa Doc" in 8 Mile.

[whakamoe56]

Classic baby Classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blacknvicious]

love his shirt.. haha room for a little ammunition..

[pinkandjefflynne]

Where's the spliff and Special Brew, man? Have a lovely day

[jackatthecontrol]

I remember watching this the first time round it was 1976 and Britain had its hottest summer ever! This was also played at the Notting Hill Carnival when we battered the Police on the street. Happy Days!

[jackatthecontrol]

I remember watching this on television I was sixteen in 1976 and it was the hottest summer ever! Those were the days!

[norrisonthespot]

The Clash did a respectable cover of this. Worth searching for.

[FLuValley]

lol this dude haz some fantastic moves

[trukker13]

It's always the right time for Lee Perry "Arkology."

[pinkandjefflynne]

When he sung this song he was recalling his own memories, that is, being a mugger from the 70's and the good old GB (SPG Unit 461) bobby knocking his fucking off head for that crime

[kanakamaole1]

fightin da nation wit der ...spam n vienna sausage!!808!!

[jemoyson]

yes he has moves lol

[sotonreadie]

here what i say hay ha ha ha haay

[MOONST0MP]

when i was a kid i thought it was a bird what sung this!!!! its a bloke. top tune!

[northernhecklet]

English Stan - the Babylon raid the scene etc. was on the B-side - called Soldier & Piece War - it was mixed in with the A side on the 12 inch to make a long talk over mix - excellent. Loved it.

Did it ever get much coverage before the Clash covered it.

This guy sure nails the "All black people are great dancers" myth btw

[CombatRocks]

Wicked.

[jsgangsterz]

brilliant

[TD4DVR]

This has to be one

of mhy favourite song!

DREAD , IRIE , LOVE .

[caminantecristal]

this tune is crazyyy dude. seriuosly

[kwakedesigns]

TOP OF THE POPS

[07950183087kreaps]

classic yard man dancing lol

[kauaihaole]

this song is so classic! juiniors got the moves too brah!

[EnglishStan]

What was the version with:

"Babylon raid the scene, and wipe out the soldier man clean"

[2Steppa2]

@EnglishStan 'Soldier & Police War' it's the 'B' side to my 7" single.

[jackatthecontrol]

@EnglishStan

It was Police and Soldier by Jah Lion aka Jah Lloyd from the album Columbia Colly