Co-written by the group's lead singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, the song's meaning comes from a book on Victorian morals.
[1] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw described the song as having a "western vibe" and Rodgers has said that it has "an almost biblical, promise-land kind of lawless feel to it.
"[2] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matt Wardlaw rated it as Bad Company's all-time best song, particularly praising the "legendary piano opening.
"[2] Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome also rated it as Bad Company's best song, praising the "dusty atmosphere [as well as] Rodgers’ almost enigmatic vocals and [Mick] Ralphs’ haunting guitar chime.
[7][8] The song has a significantly heavier tone to it, along with several lyrical edits ("I was born a shotgun in my hands", "the death punch sound is our claim to fame").