:Ball and Chain (Social Distortion song)

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Ball and Chain

| cover = Social Distortion Ball and Chain Single.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Social Distortion

| album = Social Distortion

| released = March 27, 1990

| recorded = 1989

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = * Cowpunk{{cite web |last1=Distefano |first1=Alex |title=The 10 Best Social Distortion Songs |url=https://www.ocweekly.com/the-10-best-social-distortion-songs-6605594/ |website=OC Weekly |access-date=April 6, 2023 |date=March 18, 2014}}

• honky-tonk{{cite web |last1=Deming |first1=Mark |title=Social Distortion - Social Distortion Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/social-distortion-mw0000203589 |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 7, 2022}}

| length = 5:44

| label = Epic

| writer = Mike Ness

| producer = Dave Jerden

| prev_title = Story of My Life

| prev_year = 1990

| next_title = Ring of Fire

| next_year = 1990

}}

"Ball and Chain" is a song by Southern California punk rock band Social Distortion. Written by Mike Ness in 1987, it is featured on their self-titled album released in 1990, as well as on Live at the Roxy (1998).

In the words of Ness, "Ball and Chain" is "a hard luck story,"Mike Ness, Introduction to performance of "Ball and Chain", Live at the Roxy a forceful cry, a lament, a plea, a "folk prayer."Mike Ness, Liner Notes, Live at the Roxy

The music video was directed by Tony van den Ende and edited by Scott C. Wilson.