10 Best Songs About the Police of All Time, Ranked

Share on facebook
Share
Share on twitter
Tweet
Share on pinterest
Pin

Different people seem to have different opinions of the police. While some feel that the police should be defunded, as seen in the 2020 riots across the world, there are others who respect the men and women in blue and even write music about them. 

So without further ado, here is my list of the 10 best songs about the police!

1. Dream Police by Cheap Trick

Paranoia can be difficult to understand. “Dream Police” is a song by the 70s band Cheap trick and tells the story of one man’s paranoia that his dreams are being monitored and that he will get into trouble. 

Released in 1979, the song featured on the album of the same name and was just one of a number of great hits by the band. “Dream Police” is the first song on our list of best songs about the police and is a great song with a classic 70s sound. 

2. Formation by Beyoncé

Black Lives Matter was a massive movement started in 2020 with a focus on police brutality towards black men and women in America and around the world. Beyoncé used her celebrity status as a platform to share her feelings on the matter.

Released on the album Beyoncé: Lemonade, the song serves to highlight the plight of black Americans, calling for an end to the horrific brutality these people suffer at the hands of the police. 

3. I Fought The Law by The Clash

The punk music scene was especially big in the late 70s, which was when the punk band The Clash released their hit “I Fought The Law.” A song about a robber who was arrested after a spree of robberies, it has that classic punk sound that made The Clash famous.

Released in 1977, “I Fought The Law” featured on the album CODA. Trying to evade the police is not always possible, and sooner or later, you will be caught and have to face the full arm of the law. 

4. Highway Patrolman by Johnny Cash

While Bruce Springsteen released the original version of “Highway Patrolman,” Johnny Cash’s cover of this brilliant song could actually be better than the original. Released in 1983, the song tells the tale of a highway patrolman while on duty. 

From catching robbers to keeping the town safe, he takes his job seriously. Add some Johnny Cash to your best songs about the police playlist and enjoy the voice that could make any man shed a tear or two.

5. Sounds of Da Police by KRS – One

This 1993 hit found new fame in 2022 thanks to the video and music streaming application TikTok. The song is a harsh criticism of police brutality and is a reminder that not all citizens have good interactions with the law.

Released in 1993, “Sound of Da Police” featured on the album Return of the Boom Bap. The Civil Rights Movement was, understandably, a big deal, and this song was released roughly around the time that more people stood up against police brutality. Add this one to your playlist and enjoy some good old 90s Hip Hop.

6. F**K Da Police by NWA

The 80s were indeed a great time for Hip Hop music, with songs like “F**K Da Police” dominating the airwaves. Released as a protest song in 1988, the song was featured on the album Straight Outta Compton and focused on the brutality of the police against black Americans. 

Police brutality seems to be a recurring theme in music, with many artists using their status as a brilliant platform to speak out and raise awareness of this scourge. Give it a listen and enjoy one of the best Hip Hop songs of the late 80s.

7. I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Whether you love or hate reggae music, it is hard not to love Bob Marley and the Wailers. The 1974 release of their song “I Shot The Sheriff” was met with glee as fans rushed to get a copy of the track.

Let out your inner Rastafari as you listen to Bob Marley and the Wailers on your best songs about the police playlist. Definitely don’t play this one around police stations, though. 

8. Cops Shot The Kid by NAS (Feat. Ye)

Another song highlighting the brutality black Americans experience at the hands of the police, this 2018 hit by rapper NAS captures the plight with a modern feel. Comparing the treatment of white versus black children, the rapper makes a good point about how differently the races are treated.

“Cops Shot The Kid” features on the album NASIR and features the lyrical talents of Ye. Add this to your playlist today and enjoy modern rap music at its finest. 

9. Cry No More by Rhiannon Giddens

“Cry No More” is an emotional song about the Charleston church shooting in 2015. With so many mass shootings in America, Rhiannon Giddens shares the sentiments of many as she describes the events and how it affects families, communities, and the country as a whole. 

Mass shootings are just another horrific event plaguing Americans and are something that should never happen in the first place. But, as Rhiannon says, with a broken system, there are no winners.

10. Baltimore by Prince (Feat. Eryn Allen Kane)

Freddie Gray became the poster child for police brutality when he died in police custody in 2015. Spending his lie in Baltimore, the song is a tribute to his life and serves as a stark reminder of a broken justice system. 

“Baltimore” brings us to the end of our best songs about the police playlist and strangely has a pleasant tune to it that will have you singing along. The song was released in 2015 by Prince and featured Eryn Allen Kane on vocals.