"Rubber Bullets" - 10cc (1973)

Their first number one hit

"I was amazed, but pleased that the BBC never banned the track, although they limited its airplay, because they thought it was about the ongoing Northern Ireland conflicts. In fact, it was about an Attica State Prison riot like the ones in the old James Cagney films." - Eric Stewart 2005


I went to a party at the local county jail
All the cons were dancing and the band began to wail
But the guys were indiscreet
They were brawling in the street
At the local dance at the local county jail
Well the band were playing
And the booze began to flow
But the sound came over on the police car radio
Down at Precinct 49
Having a tear-gas of a time
Sergeant Baker got a call from the governor of the county jail

Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
Load up, load up, load up with rubber bullets
I love to hear those convicts squeal
It's a shame these slugs ain't real
But we can't have dancin' at the local county jail

Sergeant Baker and his men made a bee-line for the jail
And for miles around
You could hear the sirens wail
There's a rumor goin' 'round death row
That a fuse is gonna blow
At the local hop at the local county jail

(whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?)
Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?

Sergeant Baker started talkin' with a bullhorn in his hand
(bullhorn in his hand, bullhorn in his hand)
He was cool, he was clear, he was always in command
(always in command, always in command)
He said "Blood will flow, here Padre
Padre you talk to your boys"
"Trust in me
God will come to set you free"

Well we don't understand why you called in the National Guard
(National Guard, the National Guard)
When Uncle Sam is the one who belongs in the exercise yard
(exercise yard, the exercise yard)
Is it really such a crime
For a guy to spend his time
At the local dance at the local county jail
At the local dance at the local county jail
(whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?)
Whatcha gonna do about it, whatcha gonna do?