Song Clearance Sheet
2 sources citedPolice and Thieves
Reggae1970s127BPM
B minKey
More around 130 BPM → · More in B minor →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Junior Murvin & Lee “Scratch” Perry), no dispute found — same artist as “Cool Out Son” in this catalogue; The Clash’s famous cover is documented, including Murvin’s candid first reaction.
Quick Facts
Released1976
AlbumPolice & Thieves
GenreReggae, Roots Reggae
LabelIsland Records
ProducerLee “Scratch” Perry
Recorded atBlack Ark, Kingston
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Junior Murvin & Lee “Scratch” Perry
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Island; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Famously covered by The Clash on their 1977 debut; same artist as “Cool Out Son” in this catalogue.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Same artist (already in this catalogue)
The Clash — who covered this song — and their own reggae-influenced writing (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Junior Murvin & Lee “Scratch” Perry
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Recorded the same afternoon it was auditioned
Murvin approached Perry at Black Ark in May 1976, auditioned the song, and Perry decided to record it that same afternoon, slightly altering the lyrics. It became a UK anthem in 1976 as the Notting Hill Carnival erupted into a riot — Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon of The Clash were caught up in it, directly inspiring their cover, in a style they called “punk reggae, not white reggae.” No lyrics reproduced.
Culture Wikia · read it →
Murvin’s candid first reaction to The Clash
Murvin’s first reported reaction to The Clash’s now-celebrated cover was, “They have destroyed Jah work!” — a candid, initially unflattering response to what became one of the most celebrated cross-genre covers in music history. (Strummer also worked a “Blitzkrieg Bop” line into the intro as a Ramones tribute.)
Culture Wikia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
Famously covered by The Clash (1977)
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itThe Clash
Who to Contact
PT
Junior Murvin & Lee Perry (Island)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 16)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass