Top 10 Prison Songs

Today, this hip-hip artist has become popular worldwide, but his 2004 breakout single was designed solely for the streets. As the first single off the rapper`s debut album Trouble, Akon`s lyrics convey the emotional trappings of the clink and his desire for a few magazines to pass the time. With a catchy chorus, a guest spot by Styles P of The LOX and a bleak depiction of prison life, Akon connected with inmates and their families before crossing over to a more commercialized sound.

As one of the most lyrically influential hip-hop tracks of all-time, this 1989 song of the slammer is both poetic and frightening. Chuck D spits fire about racism and war in the United States, and depicts a character unwilling to change his tune within prison walls. The suspenseful lyrics detail a plot to escape, with Flavor Flav offering support in the form of “Yeah” and “Word.” While the final line seemingly represents a successful escape, the chilling music video told a different story.

While nobody knows the true origins of this classic prison song of the American South, it slowly seeped its way in pop culture in the early 20thcentury. Lyrically, “Midnight Special” symbolizes an escape from slavery or an undesirable life and has evolved into numerous traditional songs. In the classic prison flick “Cool Hand Luke,” Harry Dean Stanton sings the tune while Paul Newman learns the ways of his new lonely home. On one of the most notable renditions of the song, Bob Dylan made his recording debut by playing harmonica on Harry Belafonte’s 1962 version.

If you like fish and you like growling vocals, then this 2006 bluesy number is the perfect jailhouse jam. As part of Tom Waits’ acclaimed album Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards, “Fish in the Jailhouse” tells the story of a man eager to get his hand on the dinnertime special. While the singer manages to rhyme Mud Bank Carp with Central Park, the lyrics consist mainly of the hard-hitting refrain and how a single fishbone could lead to freedom. They ain’t serving chicken, “they’re serving fish in the jailhouse tonight.”

This country classic was released in the summer of ’68 and was based on the singer’s own experiences at California’s San Quentin State Prison. Although Haggard was never actually sentenced to life without parole, he penned the song as a tribute to his mother and inspired a lifetime of covers from contemporary country artists. As the perfect bad boy with a heart anthem, it reminds listeners that mothers can only do so much. Just don’t disappoint Big Mama.

“Heartbeats…Freedom…Spotlights!” This closing number off AC/DC’s iconic 1976 album Dirty Deed Done Dirty Cheap produced one of the first music videos to incorporate fake blood and explosions, and telling the story of a man unlucky in love. After a 16-year sentence for murder, the subject looks for redemption as lead singer Bon Scott brilliantly acts out the scene in the video. Ok, he couldn’t act worth a lick but he certainly could wail. “Jailbreak” isn’t the hardest prison song ever, but the innovative music video was a game-changer.

In late 1993, a young rapper from Long Beach exploded on the scene with his debut album “Doggystyle,” which featured this funky jailhouse joint. The song was released a year later as a single alongside a short film of the same name. Snoop Dogg’s lyrical content explores the consequences of a gangland shooting, which not only puts Snoop in a coma, but earns him a one-way ticket to the slammer. “Murder Was the Case” eerily mirrored reality as Snoop was later charged with murder and ultimately found innocent.

The second song on our list entitled “Jailbreak” from the year 1976, these Irish rockers describe an escape from prison causing havoc. With tough-guy talk and heavy riffs, Thin Lizzy told a cryptic tale of the clink, but lyrics like “Hey you good looking female” highlighted their gentleman side along with their poignant advice to stay clear when the shit hits the fan. “Jailbreak” has literally been covered by almost every rock group in the universe and remains a classic kick starter for good times and weekend shenanigans.

This 1957 classic coincided with the King of Rock N Roll’s third feature film and has become a beloved American treasure. While you won’t find inmates hosting dance parties in most United States prisons, you might hear the line “you’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see.” Lyrically, “Jailhouse Rock” is far from sublime, but the catchy bassline and snarling vocals from Elvis ushered in a new musical flavor that inspired many future legends.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Women’s Prison” (2004)
Loretta Lynn

“Chain Gang” (1960)
Sam Cooke

“Jail Guitar Doors” (1978)
The Clash

"Prison Sex” (1993)
Tool

“Prison Grove” (2003)
Warren Zevon

Around the same time the charming Elvis Presley arrived on the scene, a gruff vocalist from Arkansas released the ultimate prison song. By combining the traditional lyrical themes of trains and incarceration, Johnny Cash injected his own style based on his experiences in the U.S. Army. The iconic 1968 live version at Folsom Prison features inmates cheering, which was actually a post-production trick given the locked up audience feared retribution for expressing their approval. Authentic and timely, “Folsom Prison Blues” is the King of this WatchMojo Mountain.