Bit late with today's five, apologies. I'm watching a TV show called Traffic Cops which sounds like something from The Simpsons but has actually inspired today's theme: songs about crimes and criminals.
GZA: Hell's Wind Staff/Killah Hills 10304
"The life of a drug dealer." Hip hop is often accused of glamourising crime but Killah Hills 10304 is more like an episode of The Wire in song form. The high rolling lifestyle is there in the intro but the song itself focuses on the reality and violence necessary to bankroll it.
Belle & Sebastian: White Collar Boy
Gangsters, drug dealers and murderers are the usual stars of the show when it comes to songs about crime - white collar fraudsters generally don't get much of a look in. Belle & Sebastian change that here. Ace intro to the band too.
Leadbelly: Where Did You Sleep Last Night
Nirvana's version on their Unplugged show is the more famous one and probably one of the greatest cover versions performed, but listening to Leadbelly sing it is like a ghost hollering from the past.
Scott Walker: Clara
An abstract treatment of the execution of Mussolini (I think it's fair to call him a criminal) and his mistress, Clara Petacci. A genuinely unsettling song and the perfect example of how far Scott Walker's journey has taken him.
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues
An obvious one perhaps but simply the greatest song about breaking the law ever written. 'Nuff said.
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