The Equals - Police On My Back (1968)

Formed in 1965, this North London group was one of the first racially integrated groups of the time (which also influenced their name). Primarily remembered for their 1966 million-dollar selling song, “Baby, Come Back,” the band was composed of Eddy Grant, Pay Lloyd, John Hall, and twin brothers Derv and Lincoln Gordon. The group released a few moderately successful singles through the remaining years in the ‘60s and was even mildly successful until 1971, when Grant suffered a collapsed lung and heart infection. After returning to his birth country, Guyana, he took his musical career solo and released many successful songs throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. Although the band carried on without him, they never had another hit and primarily resorted to playing live shows.

This song comes from the group’s first album, Baby, Come Back, which was created around the success from the single of the same name. Released in 1968, it was composed of material the group had been recording as far back as 1966. Written by Grant, this song was later successfully covered by the early punk group, The Clash, for their 1980 album Sandinista!.



The Equals - Police On My Back (1968)

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Lyrics:

Well I’m running
Police on my back
I’ve been hiding
Police on my back
They were shooting
Police on my back
And the victim
Well, he won’t come back

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Come and give me
All the speed I had

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

What have I done?

I'm still running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back
Come and give me
All the speed I had

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Running
Down the railway track
Yes, I’m running
Police on my back
Yes, I’m running
Police on my back
Yes, I’m running
Police on my back

Yes, I'm still running
Down the railway track
Could you help me?
Police on my back
They will catch me
If I dare drop back

I been running Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Running
Police on my back
Yes, I’m running
Police on my back
Yes, I’m running
Police on my back
Yes, I’m running
Police on my back

What have I done? Tell me. Please, somebody.