If you’re a fan of Bob Marley—or even if you have only a passing interest in the iconic reggae artist—you’re likely aware of his 1973 hit “I Shot the Sheriff.” The song, along with other tracks in Marley’s iconic portfolio, has inspired generations of musicians, past and present. Indeed, Rihanna’s 2010 song “Man Down” directly references Marley’s hit, delving into the track’s themes from a female perspective. “I Shot the Sheriff” has also been covered and reinterpreted by bands like Ren and The Big Push, and has been sampled in countless hip hop songs such as Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and Mary J. Blige’s “What’s the 411?”
However, the most iconic version of Marley’s hit was performed by fellow rock legend Eric Clapton, who released a cover of the song for his 1974 album 461 Boulevard. The song became a somewhat unlikely hit for the English guitarist, considering his hits up to that point mostly consisted of rock and blues tracks. Nevertheless, Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” remains one of his most popular songs to date.
Eric Clapton’s Cover of “I Shot the Sheriff” Mixed Reggae with Soft Rock
In a 1987 interview, Clapton said that it was his idea—not his team’s—to cover “I Shot the Sheriff,” explaining that he’d admired the song since its initial release. He told the interviewer that a bass player he used to work with had introduced him to reggae, and that he’d since become a fan of acts such as Toots and the Maytals and Prince Buster. However, Bob Marley had a special place in his heart. “Bob was the first person I heard singing with a real message, you know?” he said. “And he was completely unique.”
When Clapton covered Marley’s anthem, he didn’t just mimic it—he made it his own. While he retained the song’s laid-back rhythm, he also added blues guitar, keyboards, and prominent harmonies. The result is a softer, less raw version than Marley’s soulful rendition—but one that was, perhaps, more familiar for Western listeners.
Clapton’s impulse to alter the song proved itself a wise decision. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making it his only American number one hit to date. This upbeat cover even eclipsed the original when it was first released, and it was eventually inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. By putting his own signature spin on the song, Clapton truly brought “I Shot the Sheriff” to the masses.
The Success of Eric Clapton’s Cover Caused Tension with Bob Marley
The success of Clapton’s cover should have put the original back on the map, but that’s not quite what happened. Instead, the cover eclipsed Marley’s version and, according to music journalist Stephen Davis, Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” was played more than Marley’s even in the latter’s native country of Jamaica. Not only did it get more airtime, but the cover also overshadowed Bob Marley and The Wailers’ latest release, “Knotty Dread,” which was rarely played at all and remains comparatively obscure.
It’s no wonder Marley was upset. Marley fought his whole career to gain the recognition he deserved, especially within the white-dominant mainstream of Western music. There is an undeniable racial double standard in the fact that Clapton was able to edge out a Black man on the charts with a cover of his own song. Furthermore, Clapton’s cover diluted the reggae elements of “I Shot the Sheriff” and, in many ways, is caters to white audiences. The fact that it did so much better than Marley’s original pointed to a mainstream discomfort with different genres of music, especially those created by people of color. Luckily, everything seemed to balance out in the end. While Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff” remains the most popular cover of the song, Marley’s original has since become more well-known. Marley has also been acknowledged as one of the most influential musicians of all time, and was the subject of a biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, just last year.
Clapton also had the chance to meet Marley after releasing his cover at the Hammersmith Odeon (now called the Eventim Apollo) in London. In an interview, he said that he attended one of Marley’s shows before the latter’s death and “went backstage to meet him in the dressing room,” remarking that “he was great.” And it’s no wonder: Marley was a notoriously peaceful individual, and his anger over “I Shot the Sheriff” was directed more so at the state of the music industry than at Clapton himself.
Eric Clapton is undeniably iconic, and his cover of “I Shot the Sheriff” deserved the praise it received. Still, the fact that it eclipsed the original speaks to the double standards within the industry and is a cautionary tale of how inequity and a lack of representation can impact the careers of even the most successful creatives. As classic rock fans, it’s imperative that we not only appreciate both songs, but that we take the lesson in their story.
