Which Jamaican artist wrote and first recorded 'I Shot the Sheriff'?

Bob Marley wrote and first recorded “I Shot the Sheriff” with the Wailers. The song first appeared on the group’s 1973 album Burnin’, making Marley the canonical answer even though the recording is credited to Bob Marley and the Wailers.

The song became far more famous after Eric Clapton recorded a reggae-influenced cover for his 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard. Clapton’s version reached number one in the United States and introduced many listeners to Marley’s songwriting.

The lyric is often interpreted as a protest against injustice and oppressive authority. Marley reportedly wanted to express the idea of shooting a policeman but used “sheriff” instead to avoid provoking a stronger political reaction. Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer were members of the Wailers’ classic lineup, but neither is the song’s credited writer.