"Rubber Bullets" is a song by 10cc

10cc

10cc are an English art rock band who achieved their greatest commercial success in the 1970s. The band initially consisted of four musicians -- Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley, and Lol Creme -- who had written and recorded together for some three years, before assuming the "10cc" name...

 from their debut self-titled album

10cc (album)

10cc is the debut album by British rock band 10cc. It was recorded at Strawberry Studios in Stockport, which was part-owned by guitarist and engineer Eric Stewart, and released on Jonathan King's UK Records label. The album reached No.36 in the UK....

.

Written and sung by Kevin Godley

Kevin Godley

Kevin Godley is a British musician and music video director.He was born in a family of Jewish descent, and went to North Cestrian Grammar School in Altrincham....

, Lol Creme

Lol Crème

Lol Creme is an English musician and music video director, best known for his work in 10cc. He sings, plays guitar and keyboards.-Biography:...

 and Graham Gouldman

Graham Gouldman

Graham Keith Gouldman is an English songwriter and musician who is a long-time member of British band 10cc.-Early life and 1960s pop career: 1946–1968:Gouldman was born in Broughton, Salford, England...

 and produced by 10cc, "Rubber Bullets" was the band's first number one single in the United Kingdom, spending a single week at the top in June 1973. It fared worse in the USA where it peaked at #73. A tongue in cheek homage to Jailhouse Rock

Jailhouse Rock (1957 film)

Jailhouse Rock is an American musical film directed by Richard Thorpe for MGM. The film stars Elvis Presley in his third film and MGM debut, Judy Tyler, and Mickey Shaughnessy....

with a Beach Boys influence, it attracted some controversy at the time because of the British Army's use of rubber bullet

Rubber bullet

Rubber bullets are rubber or rubber-coated projectiles that can be fired from either standard firearms or dedicated riot guns. They are intended to be a non-lethal alternative to metal projectiles...

s to quell riot

Riot

A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...

ing in Northern Ireland.

In a BBC Radio Wales interview, guitarist Eric Stewart

Eric Stewart

Eric Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer most known for his tenure with The Mindbenders in the 1960s, and 10cc from 1972 to 1995....

 explained:

Band member Eric Stewart recalled: "I was amazed, but pleased that the BBC never banned the track, although they limited its airplay, because they thought it was about the ongoing Northern Ireland conflicts. In fact, it was about an Attica State Prison riot like the ones in the old James Cagney films." Graham Gouldman remembered: "Kevin and Lol had the chorus and part of the verse but then got stuck. We all loved the chorus and realized it was a hit in itself, so we wanted to persist with it. I chipped in the line 'we've all got balls and brains, but some's got balls and chains.' One of my finer couplets. (quotes from 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh)
"Rubber Bullets" was used as the theme song to the pilot episode of American animated TV series Superjail!, which aired in May 2007.

"Rubber Bullets" can be heard on Finnish movie "Simpauttaja" made in 1973, based on the books by Heikki Turunen

Heikki Turunen

Heikki Turunen Anton is a Finnish author who lives in Joensuu.He grew up with his six sisters in a farming family. In 1964 he got a job as a journalist at journalist at Karjalan Maa in Joensuu...

. It is played at a bar from jukebox.