Which Songs Would You Choose for a Lawyer’s Playlist? | ABA Journal - Law News Now

Question of the Week

Which Songs Would You Choose for a Lawyer’s Playlist?

Posted Jan 24, 2008, 10:52 am CDT
By Molly McDonough

The ongoing David v. Goliath battle between the students and other file sharers and the Recording Industry Association of America had us wondering what songs lawyers are pulling together for their playlists.

This speculation prompted some discussion at the ABA Journal. The results, a proposed lawyer playlist that includes a host of legal-system inspired songs. To name a random few:

-- “Caught, Can We Get A Witness?” by Public Enemy

-- "Lawyers, Guns and Money" by Warren Zevon

-- “Razzle Dazzle” from the movie and play Chicago

-- “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley

-- “I’m Just a Bill” from Schoolhouse Rock

-- “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” by George Harrison

This made us wonder…

Which songs would you choose for a lawyer’s playlist?

Answer in the comments section below.

Read last week’s question and answers about the rookie duty you were most grateful to shed.

Our Favorite Answer From Last Week:

Nathan J. Robfogel wrote: “As the most junior associate it was my job, almost 50 years ago, to put away the books in the firm library, and to appear and bail out clients who managed to get arrested late at night.”

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Posted by Lauren Pope - 7 months, 1 week, 6 days, 32 minutes ago

"Testify” by Common

“She walk into the court her knees buckle
Saying for a man to survive he needn’t hustle
Seen and been through struggle her whole life
Made a transition from being his ho to his wife
Stifling, the night upend the ATF bust in
Her daddy was a hustla so she love them
Looked at the jury how can they judge him, she screamed”

“Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Please let me testify”

“Fear in her chest her face in tears, had her mans back he was facing years
In her name though the place was his
They trying to take everything except the kids
But years she been through stumbling fights
While he trying to hustle that white
Up all night wondering if hes alive
Seeing him tried she bubbled inside and screamed”

“Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Please let me testify”

“The judge called for order the court reporter makin her words shorter
His lawyer sat next to him, she could see how the trial was affecting him
It hurt for her eyes to connect with him, using her lies for protecting him
They arrested him for murder, and gun possession
As they read back her confession she screamed”

“Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Please let me testify”

“The court awaited as the foreman got the verdict from the bailiff
Emotional outbursts tears and smeared makeup
He stated, he was guilty on all charges
She’s shaking like she took it the hardest
A spin artist, she brought her face up laughing
That’s when the prosecutor realized what happened
All that speaking her mind testifying and crying
When this bitch did the crime- the queenpin...”

“Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Before you lock my love away, before you lock my love away
Please let me testify”

“You accuse me of a, you accuse me of a, you accuse
Please let me testify, please let me testify
You accuse me of a, you accuse me of a, you accuse
Please let me testify, please let me testify”
Posted by Patricia Werschulz - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 23 hours, 2 minutes ago

My Attorney Bernie
Words and Music: Dave Frishberg
(A jazz classic)

I’m impressed, with my attorney Bernie
I’m impressed, with his influential friends
He’s got very big connections
and I follow his directions
Bernie knows his way around
and so I always do what Bernie recommends.

I am blessed, with my attorney Bernie
I’m impressed, with the way he runs the store
He’s got Dodger season boxes
and an office full of foxes
It’s amazing all the different things
your average guy might need a lawyer for.

chorus:

Bernie tells me what to do
Bernie always lays it on the line
Bernie says we sue, we sue
Bernie says we sign.. we sign

I’m in touch, with my attorney Bernie
In a clutch, he can speed right to the scene
and if I’m locked up in the jail
with just one phone call for my bail
he said to call his club collect
or deal directly with his answering machine

When I dine, with my attorney Bernie
He buys wine, from the rare imported rack
That’s cause Bernie is a purist
not your polyester tourist
Bernie waves the glass around awhile
then takes a sip and always sends it back

(chorus)

I admire, my attorney Bernie
I admire, any guy who knows his stuff
Sure we blew a couple ventures
with a counterfeit debenture
But you win a few, you lose a few
and like Bernie says you keep on hanging tough

Thanks to you, my attorney Bernie
Thanks to you, I’m considered well to do
Sure I made out like a bandit
Just exactly like you planned it
But like Murray my accountant
told me yesterday, I owe it all to you.

(chorus)

On the dotted line!
Posted by Roots - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 49 minutes ago

Changes—by Tupac

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/2pac/changes.html
Posted by Nick - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 42 minutes ago

Lawyers in Love, Jackson Browne
Posted by Tom Blair - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 27 minutes ago

I Shall be Released - Dylan;
Alice’s Restaurant - Arlo;
Day in the House - J. Beck;
Gotta Serve Somebody - Dylan;
House in California - Keb Moe;
I Shot the Sherriff Bob Marley;
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
Posted by wilson flanges - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 16 minutes ago

Two songs by Bob Dylan: The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll and Hurricane.
Posted by Cindy Motsko - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 14 minutes ago

Laywers in Love - Jackson Browne

End of the Innocence - Don Henley

“Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didnt have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by
When happily ever after fails
And weve been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to fly...”
Posted by Depressant - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 14 minutes ago

”. . . And Justice For All” by Metallica

Halls of Justice painted green
Money talking
Power wolves beset your door
Hear them stalking
Soon you’ll please their appetite
They devour
Hammer of Justice crushes you
Overpower
The ultimate in vanity
Exploiting their supremacy
I can’t belive the things you say
I can’t believe the price you pay
Nothing can save you
Justice is lost
Justice is raped
Justice is gone
Pulling your strings, justice is done
Seeking no truth
Winning is all
Find it so grim, so true so real

Apathy their stepping stone
So unfeeling
Hidden deep animosity
So deceiving
Through your eyes their light burns
Hoping to find
Inquisition sinking you
With prying minds

Lady Justice has been raped
Truth assassin
Rolls of red tape seal your lips
Now you’re done in
Thier money tips her scales again
Make your deal
Just what is truth I cannot tell
Cannot feel
Posted by Linda - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 21 hours, 8 minutes ago

"I Fought the Law and the Law Won,” of course.
Posted by gary - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 55 minutes ago

Doolin-Dalton, by the Eagles:

Go down, Bill Dalton, it must be God’s will,
Two brothers lyin’ dead in Coffeyville
Two voices call to you from where they stood
Lay down your law books now
They’re no damn good
Posted by Christian Vinaa - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes ago

Goodmorning Judge - 10 CC
Posted by Andy the Lawyer - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 32 minutes ago

ONE MILLION LAWYERS
by Tom Paxton

Humankind has survived some disasters, I’m sure.
Like locusts and flash floods and flu.
There’s never a moment when we’ve been secure
From the ills that the flesh is heir to.
If it isn’t a war, it’s some gruesome disease.
If it isn’t disease, then it’s war.
But there’s worse still to come, and I’m asking you please
How the world’s gonna take any more?

(CHORUS:)

In ten years we’re gonna have one million lawyers,
One million lawyers, one million lawyers.
In ten years we’re gonna have one million lawyers.
How much can a poor nation stand?

The world shook with dread of Atilla the Hun
As he conquered with fire and steel,
And Genghis and Kubla and all of the Kahns
Ground a groaning world under the heel.
Disaster, disaster, so what else is new?
We’ve suffered the worst and then some.
So I’m sorry to tell you, my suffering friends,
Of the terrible scourge still to come.

(CHORUS)

(BREAK:)

Oh, a suffering world cries for mercy
As far as the eye can see.
Lawyers around every bend in the road,
Laywers in every tree,
Lawyers in restaurants, lawyers in clubs,
Lawyers behind every door,
Behind windows and potted plants, shade trees and shrubs,
Lawyers on pogo sticks, lawyers in politics!

(CHORUS)

In spring there’s tornadoes and rampaging floods,
In summer it’s heat stroke and draught.
There’s Ivy League football to ruin the fall,
It’s a terrible scourge, without doubt.
There are blizzards to batter the shivering plain.
There are dust storms that strike, but far worse
Is the threat of disaster to shrivel the brain,
It’s the threat of implacable curse.

In ten years we’re gonna have one million lawyers,
One million lawyers, one million lawyers.
In ten years we’re gonna have one million lawyers.
How much can a poor nation stand?
How much can a poor nation stand
Posted by Christian Vinaa - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 31 minutes ago

Frank Sinatra:
Sue me sue me - what can you do me ?
Posted by Erin Moore - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 21 minutes ago

"Get Over It” by the Eagles
Posted by Donna - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 13 minutes ago

Jailbreak - Thin Lizzy and Jailbreak - ACDC
Posted by Law School Chiquita - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 19 hours, 5 minutes ago

JZ - 99 Problems - One Step Closer
The year is ‘94 and in my trunk is raw

In my rear view mirror is the mother *** law

I got two choices yall pull over the car or
Bounce on the devil put the pedal to the floor

Now I ain’t tryin to see no highway chase with Jake

Plus I got a few dollars I can fight the case

So I.....pull over to the side of the road

And I heard “Son do you know why i’m stoppin you for?”

Cause i’m young and i’m black and my hats real low
Do I look like a mind reader sir, I don’t know
Am I under arrest or should I guess some mo?

“Well you was doin fifty five in a fifty four”

“Uh huh”

“Liscense and regestration and step out of the car”

“Are you carryin a weapon on you I know alot of you are”

I ain’t steppin out of sh** all my papers legit

“Do you mind if I look round the car a little bit?”

Well my glove compartment is locked so is the trunk and the back
And I know my rights so you gon’ need a warrent for that

“Aren’t you sharp as a tack are some type of lawyer or something?”
“Or somebody important or somethin?”

I ain’t pass the bar but I know a little bit
Enough that you won’t illegally search my sh**

“Well we’ll see how smart you are when the K-9’s come”

I got 99 problems but a chick ain’t one
Posted by MV Esq. - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 18 hours, 42 minutes ago

"Criminal”, by Fiona Apple
“Jail”, by Dan Bern
“The Ballad of Donald White”, by Bob Dylan
Posted by YJLAW - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 18 hours, 39 minutes ago

California Sex Lawyer by Fountains of Wayne

Will your lawyer talk to god by Kitty Wells
Posted by Rhonda Butterfield - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 18 hours, 29 minutes ago

Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler”
You got to know when to hold ‘em
Know when to fold ‘em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run.
You never count your money
when you’re sitting at the table
Only count your money
when the dealing’s done.
Posted by Chris Sensenig - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 18 hours, 27 minutes ago

For family court pracitioners:
“She got the gold mine I got the shaft” Jerry Reed
“What’s love got to do with it?” Tina Turner
“Respect” Aretha Franklin
Posted by musicesq - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 18 hours, 20 minutes ago

"Rock and Roll Lawyer” by the Austin Lounge Lizards.
Posted by Lynn Carmichael - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 17 hours, 20 minutes ago

Dr. Hook, “The Millionaire” - a classic
Posted by Roseamry D. - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 17 hours, 12 minutes ago

The Capital Steps did a version years ago of “That’s Amore” entitled “That’s a Lawyer.” It’s a classic.
Posted by Matt - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 16 hours, 39 minutes ago

Cocaine Blues- Johnny Cash
Posted by seth - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 13 hours, 36 minutes ago

Framed - The Coasters
A Legal Matter - The Who
Murfer In My Heart For The Judge - Moby Grape
Posted by seth - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 13 hours, 35 minutes ago

oops - that should have said Murder, not “Murfer”
Posted by Gwyn - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 13 hours, 19 minutes ago

"The American Honky Tonk Bar Association” by Garth Brooks
Posted by sally - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 12 hours, 8 minutes ago

"Don’t Worry, Be Happy” - NOT!!!
Posted by Keith - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 10 hours, 56 minutes ago

"Karma Police” Radiohead
Posted by rad - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 9 hours, 37 minutes ago

Two:
“Closer to the Heart” Rush
“And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to start
To mould a new reality
Closer to the heart”
&
“Truckin” Grateful Dead
“But if you got a warrant, I guess youre gonna come in.”
Posted by April - 7 months, 1 week, 5 days, 7 hours, 16 minutes ago

50 Ways to Leave Your Lawyer
Posted by Joel - 7 months, 1 week, 4 days, 21 hours, 43 minutes ago

Testify-The Parliaments
Can I Get a Witness-Marvin Gaye
The NIght the LIghts Went out in Georgia-Vicki Lawrence
Posted by David T. Lopez - 7 months, 1 week, 4 days, 16 hours, 8 minutes ago

We Can Work It Out - The Beatles

Think of what you’re saying.
You can get it wrong and still you think that it’s all right.
Think of what I’m saying,
We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night.

Life is very short, and there’s no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.

We can work it out,
We can work it out.
Posted by Ayana - 7 months, 1 week, 4 days, 11 hours, 5 minutes ago

Family Law Practitioners-

Kanye West - Golddigger

[Verse 2:]
18 years, 18 years

She got one of your kids got you for 18 years

I know somebody paying child support for one of his kids

His baby mamma’s car and crib is bigger than his

You will see him on TV any given Sunday

Win the Superbowl and drive off in a Hyundai

She was supposed to buy your shorty TYCO with your money

She went to the doctor got lypo with your money

She walking around looking like Michael with your money

Should of got that insured got GEICO for your money

If you aint no punk holla WE WANT PRENUP

WE WANT PRENUP! Yeah

It’s something that you need to have

‘Cause when she leave yo a** she gone leave with half

18 years, 18 years

And on her 18th birthday he found out it wasn’t his
Posted by Ayana - 7 months, 1 week, 4 days, 10 hours, 48 minutes ago

"Pretty Woman” -
as Recorded by 2 Live Crew

CAN YOU IMAGINE THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES ROCKING TO THIS SONG WHILE THEY DELIBERATED OVER THIS CASE IN THE CAMBELL V ACUFF-ROSE PRODUCTIONS CASE.

Pretty Woman, walking down the street, Pretty Woman, girl you look so sweet,
Pretty Woman, you bring me down to that knee, Pretty Woman, you make me wanna beg please,
Oh, Pretty Woman

Big hairy woman, you need to shave that stuff, Big hairy woman, you know I bet it’s tough
Big hairy woman, all that hair ain’t legit, ‘Cause you look like Cousin It
Big hairy woman

Bald headed woman, girl your hair won’t grow, Bald headed woman, you got a teeny weeny afro
Bald headed woman, you know your hair could look nice, Bald headed woman, first you got to roll it with rice
Bald headed woman here, let me get this hunk of biz for ya, Ya know what I’m saying, you look better than Rice a Roni
Oh, Bald headed woman

Big hairy woman, come on in, And don’t forget your bald headed friend
Hey Pretty Woman, let the boys
Jump in

Two timin’ woman, girl you know it ain’t right, Two timin’ woman, you’s out with my boy last night
Two timin’ woman, that takes a load off my mind, Two timin’ woman, now I know the baby ain’t mine
Oh, Two timin’ woman
Oh, Pretty Woman.
Posted by MJS - 7 months, 1 week, 4 days, 10 hours, 24 minutes ago

"25 Minutes to Go,” by Johnny Cash.

“Well they’re building the gallows outside my cell, with 25 minutes to go…
And in 25 minutes I’ll be in hell, I got 24 minutes to go…

And my lawyer says he’s sorry that he missed my case, with 15 minutes to go…
‘Well if you’re so sorry, then come and take my place,’ with 14 minutes to go...”
Posted by anonymous - 7 months, 1 week, 3 days, 15 hours, 45 minutes ago

this song is perfect for those moments of intense frustration when only swearing will do. (Caution, explicit lyrics)

“Nugget” by Cake

Heads of state who writhe and wrangle
Look at your face from more than one angle
will cut you from their bloated budgets
like sharpened knives through chicken mcnuggets
(repeat)

shut the f*** up!
shut the f*** up!
right, right, learn to buck up!
shut the f*** up!

Now, nimble fingers that dance on numbers
will eat your children and steal your thunder
while peppy(?) torsos that heave and hurl
crunch like nuts in the mouths of squirrells
(repeat)

Shut the f*** up!
Shut the f*** up!
right, right, learn to buck up!
Shut the f*** up!
Posted by keith - 7 months, 1 week, 3 days, 10 hours, 37 minutes ago

"White America” - Eminem

America, hahaha, we love you, how many people are proud to be citizens of this beautiful
Country of ours, the stripes and the stars for the rights that men have died for to protect,
The women and men who have broke their neck’s for the freedom of speech the United States
Government has sworn to uphold, or
(Yo’, I want everybody to listen to the words of this song) so we’re told…
Posted by PTD - 7 months, 1 week, 2 days, 22 hours, 9 minutes ago

How about,"How High’s The Water Mama”? Even if you are not a Johnnie Cash fan that song speaks volumes. Also, “Love Me Tender”! Ironey included.
Posted by taylorsvillecat - 7 months, 1 week, 22 hours, 56 minutes ago

As an Intellectual Property lawyer, my set has been:
“Trademark” - written by Porter Wagoner, hit for Carl Smith (Mr. June Carter, dad of Carlene) and also by Mandy Barnett:
A little bit of croonin’
A little bit of spoonin’
A little bit of swoonin’
And a lot of honeymoonin’

Now that’s my trademark
Oh that’s my trademark
Well I’m always trying to keep satisfying
That’s what I’m noted for
then
“Copyright on Your Love” by Jimmy McCracklin:
I can’t claim your kisses and I can’t claim your hugs
Now I can’t claim your kisses and I can’t claim your hugs
But I can prove to the world right now
I have a copyright on your love
then
“Patent on Love” by The Newbeats (hit with Bread and Butter):
We put a patent on our love and sealed it with a sweet kiss
Filed in our hearts the day that we met
We don’t have to worry no one can steal our love away
We have what it takes we put a patent on our love today
Posted by Mike Gorman - 7 months, 5 days, 21 hours, 43 minutes ago

"The American Dream”, Hank Williams, Jr.

“Too many lawyers in football, baseball’s got a few. The pitcher got a million dollars, and the quarterback got two....”
Posted by Robin - 7 months, 5 days, 21 hours, 23 minutes ago

"Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Lyrics So We Wouldn’t Get Sued”, Fallout Boy
Posted by Anette W - 7 months, 4 days, 19 hours, 45 minutes ago

"Gee Officer Krupke” from West Side Story
Dear kindly Judge, your Honor,
My parents treat me rough.
With all their marijuana,
They won’t give me a puff.
They didn’t wanna have me,
But somehow I was had.
Leapin’ lizards! That’s why I’m so bad!

http://www.westsidestory.com/site/level2/lyrics/krupke.html

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