Jailbreak Songs Ranked

Jailbreak is the sixth studio album by Irish hard rock band Thin Lizzy, released in 1976. It proved to be the band’s commercial breakthrough in the US, and the only Thin Lizzy album with a certification (in this case, Gold) in that country. The singles taken from the album include “Jailbreak” and “The Boys Are Back in Town”; the latter is Thin Lizzy’s biggest US hit, and won the 1976 NME Award for Best Single. After their previous two albums, Nightlife and Fighting, failed to generate sales, Thin Lizzy were given one last chance by their label, Vertigo Records. The band wrote songs and collected ideas in a studio in Buckinghamshire in late 1975, then convened at Ramport Studios in London in the new year. They selected John Alcock as their producer, for he had worked in the studio extensively. The band worked diligently through February on the album. However, guitarists Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson felt that the speed at which it was completed adversely affected its quality. Both stated that the tightness of the songs made the album feel rigid. In particular, Robertson said he would have liked more freedom to improvise his lead guitar parts. Gorham also criticized Alcock’s production, saying that he didn’t particularly care for his guitar tone on the album. Here are all of Jailbreak songs ranked.

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9. Fight or Fall

“Fight or Fall” is another fantastic ballad type number that features some very delicate and melodic guitar lines and beautiful, soulful vocal melodies from Phil that are just downright heartfelt and genuine, and there’s also a great, pretty, docile and mellow guitar solo tacked on for good measure.”

8. Warriors

“Warriors” (which is yet another favorite of mine here) is another great hard rocker that is drenched with more killer, menacing, punching riffs throughout (including a gnarly and catchy opening riff), and some catchy and explosive lead guitar lines, plus some awesome bass work, and a wickedly tasty, soaring, wah-tinged guitar solo being thrown in to go along with Downey’s tight, bouncing, driving drum work.”

7. Running Back

“Running Back” is a more lighter, jazzy style rocker, but still maintains a nice mid-tempo punch, and it features a nice, little melodic riff, along with some slight background organ work, and it also contains another great chorus that has some really splendid vocal and guitar hooks, and plus, there’s also some great near jazzy guitar soloing being included as well.”

See more: Thin Lizzy Albums Ranked

6. Angel from the Coast

 “Angel From the Coast” is a great, fun rocker that features some excellent galloping lead guitar/drum sections, along with an awesome guitar solo and more great singing from Phil to boot”

5. Romeo and the Lonely Girl

“Romeo and the Lonely Girl” is another one of my favorites, and a catchy, upbeat, and propulsive Shakespeare-esque rocker that is highlighted by an awesome mixture of multi-tracked acoustic and electric riffing throughout, along with more of Downey’s deft, thumping skin pounding, and Phil’s singing also really shines on this track, especially during that awesome chorus when he’s singing “Oh poor Romeo…Sitting all on his own-ee-o”, and there’s also some sweet, blistering, shredding and jaw-dropping guitar soloing from the Gorham/Robertson combo that really adds the icing on the cake on this song.”

4. Emerald

“Then we have “Emerald” which wraps up the album on a bombastic note (and it’s my absolute favorite song on the album). This song is filled with some of Gorham and Robertson’s heaviest and menacing riffs that will just hammer your senses, as well as one of the most purely epic and soaring dueling solo flights which will just leave you absolutely breathless. Absolutely pure rock ‘n’ roll bliss man. I love it.”

See more: Thin Lizzy Songs Ranked

3. Cowboy Song

“Cowboy Song” which is another one of Thin Lizzy’s best known tracks which starts out slow and melodic with a pretty acoustic opening that evokes the imagery of the Old West before it turns into a brash and fun rock song that is filled with more awesome guitar work and vocal melodies, great drumming and bass, plus the song is also highlighted by yet some more excellent, noteworthy soloing as well too.”

2. The Boys are Back in Town

“The Boys Are Back in Town” which of course every Thin Lizzy fan is very familiar with, as it’s an anthemic and hugely famous fan favorite in which the band are so well known for. Words just can’t even seriously describe how much I love this song. From the amazing riffs of Gorham and Robertson, to Lynott’s amazing vocals and lyrics, to Downey’s amazing drumming, you name it, this song is indeed a legendary rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece.”

1. Jailbreak

“The classic title track, “Jailbreak” of course kicks thing off with that aforementioned blast of an opening riff that is like a sound of thunder to the listener’s ears, and believe me, whenever you hear that opening riff, you know for sure that this album is gonna smack you in the chops and kick you right straight in the ass. The song’s hot, smoking, killer main riff is also worth mentioning too, as well as Phil’s amazing vocal deliveries.”