20 Songs About Outlaws

Outlaws. They are romanticized in books, movies, and songs. There is something about their lawless lifestyle that fascinates us. Maybe it is the idea of living outside the rules or the freedom they have.

Whatever the reason, outlaws have always been a popular topic for artists to write about. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best songs about outlaws ever written.

1. “Wanted Dead Or Alive” by Bon Jovi

Starting off our list is a song about an outlaw who is on the run. This 1986 classic from Bon Jovi is one of their most well-known songs and it perfectly captures the feeling of being a fugitive.

The lyrics tell the story of a man who is wanted by the law but refuses to give up his freedom. It is one of the most popular songs on his album Slippery When Wet.

2. “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard

“Mama Tried” is a 1968 song written by Merle Haggard. It is about a man who has been sent to prison for breaking the law.

The lyrics tell the story of his mother’s struggle to deal with her son’s criminal lifestyle. You can find this track on her album Killers Three.

3. “Renegade” by Styx

Styx is a rock band from the 1970s that is known for its progressive and experimental sound. “Renegade” is one of their most popular songs and it tells the story of an outlaw who is on the run from the authorities. The lyrics are about his struggles to stay free and how he will never give up.

4. “Blood Red and Going Down” by Tanya Tucker

The next song on our list is “Blood Red and Going Down” by Tanya Tucker. This song tells the story of a woman who is on the run from the law with her father.

This song is a great example of how country music can tell a story that is both haunting and heart-wrenching.

5. “Fun Lovin’ Criminals” by King of New York

“Fun Lovin’ Criminals” by King of New York is a song about a group of criminals. It was released in 1996 as part of the album Come Find Yourself.

It has been viewed over 200k times on Youtube. You can also stream it on other major music platforms out there.

6. “Draw The Line” by Aerosmith

Aerosmith’s “Draw The Line” is a song about a man who is on the run from the law. This song was released in 1977 as part of the album Draw The Line.

It has been viewed almost 600k times on Youtube. It was covered by Pearl Jam in 2016 as part of their performance at a music festival.

7. “Close to the Borderline” by Billy Joel

“Close to the Borderline” by Billy Joel is a song about a man who is close to the Mexican border and what it’s like to live in that area.

This song was released in 1980 as part of the album Glass Houses. This now has over 350k views on Youtube and can be streamed on all major music platforms.

8. “Cocaine Blues” by Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues” is a song about a man who is addicted to cocaine. This song was released in 1968 as part of the album At Folsom Prison. It has been viewed over 5 million times on Youtube, making it one of the most popular songs on this list.

9. “Roy Rogers” by Elton John

The next song on our list is “Roy Rogers” by Elton John. This song is a tribute to the famous American actor and singer who was known for his roles in western films.

In the song, Elton John sings about how Roy Rogers was an inspiration to him and how he wished he could have been like him.

10. “Breaking All the Rules” by Peter Frampton

“Breaking All the Rules” by Peter Frampton was released in 1981 as part of the album of the same title. It is about convincing the youth to break all the rules and fight for what’s right.

It has been viewed almost 300k times on Youtube. You can also find it on all major music streaming platforms.

11. “How ‘Bout You” by Eric Church

“How ‘Bout You” by Eric Church is a song about comparing an outlaw to an abiding citizen. This song was released in 2006 as part of the album Sinners Like Me. If you’re a fan of country music with a hint of badass, then this is the song for you.

12. “Wanted Man” by Ratt

Ratt’s “Wanted Man” was released in 1984 as part of the album Out of the Cellar. It’s about the most wanted man in the world and how he’s constantly on the run from the law. This song can be streamed on all major music platforms.

13. “Just an English Outlaw” by The Dogs D’Amour

“Just an English Outlaw” by The Dogs D’Amour is a song about being an outlaw in England. This song was released in 2012 as part of the album  A Graveyard of Empty Bottles MMXIX. It only has 3k views on Youtube so be sure to give it a listen.

14. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” by Kitty Wells

Next on the list is a heartbreaker of a song that tells the story of a woman who’s been done wrong by her no-good man and turns to the bottle to forget him. It was released in 2013 and has since been covered by artists over the years.

15. “High Cost of Living” by Jamey Johnson

“High Cost of Living” is a song about a man who’s down on his luck and struggling to make ends meet. He turns to alcohol and drugs to help him get through the day, but it only makes things worse. The song was released in 2008 on the album That Lonesome Song.

16. “Desperado” by Eagles

This next song is a well-known classic about a desperado on the run from the law. The song was released in 1973 on the album of the same title and has been covered by many artists over the years. It now has over 8 million views on Youtube since it was uploaded in 2018.

17. “Bad Company” by Bad Company

“Bad Company” is a song about a group of outlaws who are on the run from the law. The song was released in 1974 on the album of the same title.

It has since been covered by many artists. It was uploaded on Youtube last 2019 and gained over 9 million views.

18. “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?” by Waylon Jennings

The next song on the list is about a man who’s been wronged by his woman and is contemplating revenge. It was released in 1975 on the album Dreaming My Dreams.

Hank Williams made his own version of the song, which is also great, but Waylon’s is the definitive outlaw version.

19. “Take the Money and Run” by Steve Miller Band

Steve Miller Band’s “Take the Money and Run” is a song about two lovers who are young outlaws on the run from the law. The song was released in 1976 on the album Fly Like an Eagle. It became a hit with over 7.5 million views on Youtube.

20. “Outlaw Blues” by Pat Benatar

The last song on the list is “Outlaw Blues” by Pat Benatar. It’s a song about a woman who’s been wronged by her man and is ready to take her revenge.

The song was released in 1984 on the album Tropico. You can stream it on all music platforms out there.

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the great songs about outlaws. There are many more out there that didn’t make the list. If you’re a fan of outlaw music, then be sure to check out some of these songs. You won’t be disappointed. Thanks for reading!