What is with the theme of the Joker and the Thief in music?

[Dansen]

Jimi Hendrix mentions them in "All Along the Watchtower"
Wolfmother has a song specifically titled "Joker and the Thief"
In the music video for, "Fluorescent Adolescence" by the Arctic Monkeys, clowns and gangsters are seen fighting (Joker and Thief).

I'm sure I could find some more examples, but these are what come to mind. I was wondering if anybody could shed some light on the matter, because this has been something I wanted to know for a while.

 

[DerSaryn]

First of all, the original of All Along The Watchtower is by Bob Dylan (although Hendrix' is definitly the best version). And since he is one of the most influential song writers of our day and age, it hardly is surprising, that other artist pick up on his symbolism.
Wolfmother deliberately chose to make "Joker & the Thief" with Dylan's Watchtower in mind.

However, I would go as far as to say, that there is no actual theme of Joker & Thief in music, since it only appears in a few instances.

 

[bobmus]

I don't know about Jokers and Thieves (though I'd suspect it's merely a case of pop-culture references), but I prefer the Bartender and the Thief.
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