Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song)

"Ball and Chain"
Single by Social Distortion
from the album Social Distortion
Released	March 27, 1990
Recorded	1989
Genre	Cowpunk, punk blues
Length	5:44
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Mike Ness
Producer(s)	Dave Jerden
Social Distortion singles chronology
"Story of My Life" (1990) "Ball and Chain" (1990) "Ring of Fire" (1990)

"Ball and Chain" is a hit song by Social Distortion, a Southern California punk rock band, featured on their self-titled album, released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998).

In the words of lead singer/writer Mike Ness, "Ball and Chain" is "a hard luck story," a forceful cry, a lament, a plea, a "folk prayer."

Trivia

• The song was played in episodes of My Name Is Earl, Scrubs and Hindsight as well as the film Jarhead (2005)
• Frontman Mike Ness recorded a "Honky Tonk" version of this song on his solo album Under the Influences in 1999.
• The song was also transcribed in the January 2005 issue of Guitar World.
• The song was used as the entrance song for Ricardo Almeida at UFC 101.
• The song appears in the videogame Saints Row: The Third on fictional radio station The Mix 107.77.
• The music video was directed by Tony van den Ende and edited by Scott C. Wilson.