This song was the second single and the title track from the album. It’s arguably Thin Lizzy’s second most famous song, after The Boys Are Back in Town, which was the album’s first single.
The lyrics are about a prison break and the chaos that follows.
[Verse 1]
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
Somewhere in this town
See, me and the boys, we don't like it
So we're gettin' up and goin' down
Hidin' low, looking right to left
If you see us comin', I think it's best
To move away, do you hear what I say
From under my breath
[Chorus]
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
Somewhere in the town
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
So don't you be around
Don't you be around
[Verse 2]
Tonight there's gonna be trouble
Some of us won't survive
See, the boys and me mean business
Bustin' out dead or alive
I can hear the hound dogs on my trail
All hell breaks loose, alarm and sirens wail
Like the game if you lose
Go to jail
[Chorus]
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
Somewhere in the town
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
So don't you be around
[Post-Chorus]
Tonight there's gonna be trouble
I'm gonna find myself in
Tonight there's gonna be trouble
So, woman, stay with a friend
You know it's safer
[Interlude]
Breakout
[Verse 3]
Tonight there's gonna be a breakout
Into the city zones
Don't you dare to try and stop us
No one could for long
Searchlight on my trail
Tonight's the night all systems fail
Hey you, good lookin' female
Come here
[Chorus]
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
Somewhere in the town
Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak
So don't you be around
[Post-Chorus]
Tonight there's gonna be trouble
I'm gonna find myself in
Tonight there's gonna be trouble
So, woman, stay with a friend
Jailbreak was written by Phil Lynott.
Jailbreak was produced by John Alcock.
Thin Lizzy released Jailbreak on Fri Mar 26 1976.