Lay Down The Law

Album: Yeah, It's That Easy (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • G. Love spins many tall tales in his songs, but this one is about a real person, and the events he describes really did happen. Greg was his good friend, the kind of guy who would do whatever he could to help you out. He was also a heroin addict, and when he was using he would do things like steal G. Love's VCR and pawn it for drug money.

    When Songfacts spoke with G. Love in 2019, he said that Greg had been out of contact for a while, but when the song was written, he had kicked the habit and gotten sober. "He was staying with me and working with me," said G. "The song did have a funny vibe because he had a loud personality. We were in the studio one night and he was talking and fooling around, and he was like 'Greg is gonna lay down the law!' It was simple as that for the hook, and then the verses were all about friends having your back."
  • The vocal doesn't come in until 1:28; G. Love whistles for much of the intro.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.