Kill the Poor
Dead Kennedys Lyrics

The Dead Kennedys’ song “Kill the Poor” is a satirical critique of the capitalist society of the United States that values profits over human lives, especially the lives of working-class and poor people. The lyrics use sarcasm and irony to criticize the government’s policies that neglect the needs of the poor while facilitating the interests of the rich. The opening lines of “Efficiency and progress is ours once more/ Now that we have the Neutron bomb” establish the context of the song by alluding to the Cold War era when nuclear weapons were perceived as a means of advancing progress and power. The next lines, “It's nice and quick and clean and gets things done/ Away with excess enemy” suggest the dehumanizing and impersonal logic of the military-industrial complex that sees humans as disposable objects and prioritizes the elimination of enemies, real or imagined, over the preservation of life.

The next lines, “But no less value to property/ No sense in war but perfect sense at home” underscore the connection between war and capitalism by highlighting the fact that war, besides being a political tool, is also a profitable business that generates revenues for corporations and landlords who benefit from the destruction of urban areas and the displacement of communities. The second verse, “The sun beams down on a brand new day/ No more welfare tax to pay/ Unsightly slums gone up in flashing light/ Jobless millions whisked away/ At last we have more room to play/ All systems go to kill the poor tonight” continues the critique by suggesting that the elimination of social safety nets, such as welfare and public housing, is not only cruel but also serves the interests of the real estate and construction industries. The reference to the “flashing light” reminds us of the spectacle of gentrification that often masks the displacement and exploitation of the poor, who are pushed to the margins of the city or beyond. The chorus, “Gonna kill kill kill kill kill the poor/ Kill kill kill kill kill the poor/ Kill kill kill kill kill the poor tonight” highlights the irony and absurdity of the capitalist society that treats the poor as disposable and expendable while celebrating wealth and power.

The last verse, “Behold the sparkle of champagne/ The crime rate's gone, feel free again/ Oh, life's a breeze with you, Miss Lily White/ Jane Fonda on the screen today/ Convinced the liberals it's okay/ So let's get dressed and dance away the night/ While they kill kill kill kill kill the poor” targets the complicity of the media, the celebrities, and the politicians in perpetuating the myth of the American Dream that upholds the virtues of individualism and meritocracy while ignoring the structural inequalities and exploitation that prevent many from achieving even basic human dignity. The song ends with an ironic repetition of the chorus that reminds us of the absurdity of violence and the powerlessness of the poor in the face of oppressive systems.