Song
"Killing in the Name" has been described as "a howling, expletive-driven tirade against the ills of American society." The song repeats six lines of lyrics that associate police brutality with racism, and then switches to the refrain, "Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses," an allusion to cross-burning by the Ku Klux Klan. The song builds in intensity, repeating the line "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me", culminating in Zack de la Rocha screaming "Motherfucker!"
The song's lyrics allege that some members of US police forces are members of the Ku Klux Klan organization, whose symbol is the burning cross. The song reflects the strong racial tensions that existed at that time in United States. It was released six months after the L.A. Riots, an event triggered by the acquittal of four white police officers who beat a black motorist. The BBC News website describes the song as railing against "the military–industrial complex, justifying killing for the benefit of, as the song puts it, the chosen whites."
"Killing in the Name" was originally written and recorded shortly after Rage Against the Machine formed as part of a 12 song self-released cassette. After signing with Epic Records, the band released their self-titled debut album, which reached triple platinum status, driven by heavy radio play of "Killing in the Name".
Rage Against the Machine's first video for "Killing in the Name" did not receive heavy airplay in the United States due to its explicit lyrics. (It contains the word "fuck" seventeen times.) The song received substantial airplay in Europe and drove the band's popularity outside its home country.
Read more about this topic: Killing In The Name
Famous quotes containing the word song:
“Tell her that goes
With song upon her lips
But sings not out the song, nor knows
The maker of it, some other mouth,
May be as fair as hers,”
—Ezra Pound (1885–1972)
“Thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.”
—Bible: Hebrew Song of Solomon, 7:4.
“Some of us prefer Austrian voices risen in song to ugly German threats.”
—Ernest Lehman (b. 1920)