# Songs about tough guys or badasses **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310 "2012-07-25T02:03:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/1 "2012-07-25T02:03:19Z")
I’ll start with Bad Bad Leroy Brown [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CMWnMbQeWlg/hqdefault.jpg "Jim Croce Bad bad Leroy Brown live") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMWnMbQeWlg) Don’t Mess Around with Jim [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/odkIEDi2x0g/hqdefault.jpg "Don't mess around with jim lyrics") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odkIEDi2x0g) and Big Bad John [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myQ1UvJiv78) Interesting to note, both Leroy and Jim get there asses kicked,and John dies(tho heroically). ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/2 "2012-07-25T02:07:48Z")
Stagger Lee, Stag O Lee, in its many variations. Also Two Time Slim, spoilered for language: [Two Time Slim](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhpRAe0YGeY) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/3 "2012-07-25T02:16:58Z")
[Shaft](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwTtl8IydcA) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/4 "2012-07-25T02:27:15Z")
[Marty Robbins, “Big Iron”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGmUsJvRv7U) ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/5 "2012-07-25T02:30:17Z")
Perhaps “A Boy Named Sue”? [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcQKtl3MGCE) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/6 "2012-07-25T02:32:03Z")
“Who Do You Love?” by Bo Diddley (although many people are more familiar with the George Thorogood cover). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/7 "2012-07-25T02:35:22Z")
That reminded me, George Thorogood also sang “Bad to the Bone”. ---
**Author:** ![Levolor\_the\_Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc8723/32.png) [@Levolor\_the\_Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Levolor_the_Blind)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/8 "2012-07-25T03:26:03Z")
Alice in Chains - [Rooster](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gHiR1xeOSs) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/9 "2012-07-25T03:35:13Z")
I could make a list with dozens if not hundreds of entries, but I’ll try and limit myself to 10 or less; I added genre’s so people would kinda know what they were in for if they click the links. Juicy Bananas - [Bad Man](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1jqEWVxRUo) - awesome weirdness from the Repo Man OST Blood Island Raiders - [I Am The King](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=488u2Gky7tA) - stoner/doom metal from London, UK Orange Goblin - [Beginner’s Guide To Suicide](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEEo-smePjc) - stoner/doom metal from London, UK Orchid - [He Who Walks Alone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xunZ_BbWxDM) - stoner/doom metal from San Francisco, CA USA Electric Wizard - [Wizard In Black](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKVzx7wkkuw) - stoner/doom metal from Dorset, UK The Sword - [The Chronomancer I: Hubris](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o1U58caCGM) - doom metal from Austin, TX USA The Sword - [The Chronomancer II: Nemesis](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGy-Uu3DuqY) - doom metal from Austin, TX USA Lair Of The Minotaur - [Let’s Kill These Motherfuckers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5dmeTZQ4CQ) - doom metal from Chicago, IL USA Black Angels - [You On The Run](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSD5e8s7RaI) - psychedelic rock from Austin, TX USA Run-D.M.C. - [King Of Rock](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXzWlPL_TKw) - rap from Hollis (Queens), NY USA The Didjits - [Killboy Powerhead](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WupU38LdUlk) - punk rock from Sullivan, IL USA - many people are more familiar with [The Offspring’s cover of this song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzo_GZgOiIQ) Stormtroopers Of Death - [Sargent “D” and the S.O.D.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok0YPrf9ZHA) - thrash metal from NYC, NY USA and of course, my personal theme song: [Ace Of Spades](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRE2Qp54gW4) by Motörhead ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/10 "2012-07-25T04:38:51Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I could make a list with dozens if not hundreds of entries, … Oh yes. All of music is filled with murder, swagger, and braggadocio. I’ll just add the first three that come to my mind: [John Henry](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvwcJ0Y8hg) is a steel drivin’ man. (Warning: modern interpretation that grabs me for some reason. Not classic.) Tennessee Ernie Ford loads [16 Tons](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIfu2A0ezq0). Dock Boggs kills [Wild Bill Jones](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHv2e8j_dU). ---
**Author:** ![Tad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tad)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/11 "2012-07-25T04:40:32Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > [Marty Robbins, “Big Iron”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGmUsJvRv7U) You rule. Amazing song, amazing record. ---
**Author:** ![Tad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tad)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/12 "2012-07-25T04:41:56Z")
> [@azraiel](#): > > Oh yes. All of music is filled with murder, swagger, and braggadocio. I’ll just add the first three that come to my mind: > > [John Henry](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvwcJ0Y8hg) is a steel drivin’ man. (Warning: modern interpretation that grabs me for some reason. Not classic.) > > Tennessee Ernie Ford loads [16 Tons](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIfu2A0ezq0). > > Dock Boggs kills [Wild Bill Jones](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHv2e8j_dU). You also rule. However, for John Henry I let [the master and his guitar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltQnxo31Sl0) do all the talking. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/13 "2012-07-25T04:57:41Z")
> [@azraiel](#): > > Oh yes. All of music is filled with murder, swagger, and braggadocio. And the award for “Most misleading summation or interpretation of another’s words in this thread” goes to **azraiel**! Congratulations, you win a :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/14 "2012-07-25T05:06:46Z")
> [@Tad](#): > > However, for John Henry I let [the master and his guitar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltQnxo31Sl0) do all the talking. Oh, I do not disagree in the slightest. An American [classic](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGEkWJa68xU) performed by so many American [masters](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54GNI2K3-ec). I just wanted to take the chance to introduce [Snakefarm](http://www.allmusic.com/album/songs-from-my-funeral-mw0000047454) to some folks, as I really dig many of their interpretations (and I speak as someone who generally _hates_ drum machines!) ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/15 "2012-07-25T05:09:34Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > And the award for “Most misleading summation or interpretation of another’s words in this thread” goes to **azraiel**! Um, guy? I was agreeing with you. I could also make all kinds of lists of songs I love that fit the OP. I wasn’t trying to snark, or interpret, or even really _say_ anything about your post other than, well, agreement. 😕 ETA: If I came across as mocking or something, it wasn’t my intent. I didn’t say “all music,” I said “all of music.” As in, every genre has gorgeous examples of swagger, murder ballads, etc. All I was saying, or trying to say. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/16 "2012-07-25T05:20:51Z")
Since I seem to be observing Gender Balance Day in these suggest-a-song threads, let me point out that there are some great songs about female badasses too, including Jim Croce’s _Roller Derby Queen_ and Al Dexter’s _Pistol Packin Mama_. (I don’t count songs about women who weren’t badass at all until they happened to get angry at the narrator for cheating on them, or who are only called badass because the narrator’s angry at them for cheating on him.) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/17 "2012-07-25T05:40:51Z")
> [@azraiel](#): > > Um, guy? I was agreeing with you. I could also make all kinds of lists of songs I love that fit the OP. I wasn’t trying to snark, or interpret, or even really _say_ anything about your post other than, well, agreement. > > 😕 > > ETA: If I came across as mocking or something, it wasn’t my intent. I didn’t say “all music,” I said “all of music.” As in, every genre has gorgeous examples of swagger, murder ballads, etc. All I was saying, or trying to say. I apologize for misinterpreting _your_ post. And yeah, Snakefarm rocks. I’ve linked to them in several threads over the years, not least in part because they do the best interpretation of [St. James](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuzrgu55lkA) Infirmary Blues yet conceived. ---
**Author:** ![Quint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/76d3ee/32.png) [@Quint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/18 "2012-07-25T06:27:24Z")
I’m going to nominate AC/DC’s **Problem Child** [Cop this I’m hot, and when I’m not I’m cold as ice Get out of my way Just Step aside Or pay the price What I want I take What I don’t I break And I don’t want you With a flick of my knife I can change your life There’s nothing you can do I’m a problem child!]([AC/DC Problem Child (with lyrics) - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__bOEU_XUBw&feature=youtube_gdata_player)) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/19 "2012-07-25T06:52:55Z")
His toughness is mostly implied, but: [Quinn the Eskimo.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvH6TLRWSBw) ---
**Author:** ![Quint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/76d3ee/32.png) [@Quint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2012, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310/20 "2012-07-25T07:11:50Z")
And let’s not forget the OG, [Mack the Knife](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz2QjtBQh8w&feature=youtube_gdata_player). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-tough-guys-or-badasses/629310.md?page=2)