"I Shot the Sheriff" is the lead single from American rapper Warren G's second album, Take a Look Over Your Shoulder. The song takes its title from and samples Bob Marley's 1973 song of the same name with R&B singer Nancy Fletcher singing a version of the original chorus, though Warren G, who produced the song himself, replaces Marley's lyrics with those of his own, though Marley is giving sole songwriting credit. The song was a hit in several countries; in Warren G's native US, it peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was a bigger hit overseas, peaking at number two in the United Kingdom and at number one in New Zealand.
The official remix was produced by EPMD member Erick Sermon, it is based around EPMD's "Strictly Business", which also sampled Clapton's version of the song.
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1997)PeakpositionEurope (Eurochart Hot 100)11Italy (Musica e dischi)11Italy Airplay (Music & Media)2Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)5
Year-end charts Chart (1997)PositionAustralia (ARIA)58New Zealand (RIANZ)19Romania (Romanian Top 100)71UK Singles (OCC)77US Billboard Hot 10085
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)WorldwideFebruary 3, 1997Def JamUnited KingdomFebruary 10, 1997United StatesFebruary 11, 199712-inch vinylFebruary 25, 1997Rhythmic contemporary radioJapanFebruary 26, 1997CD
References