MU330's lineup has changed frequently, but the foundations of the band remained intact — Potthast, Diebold, Bell, and Moll.
The band is self-described as "psycho ska" and are known for their lively performances and a general ethic of fun and optimism. Their lyrics cover many topics, from racism to love songs to testicular cancer.
Kkk Hiway
MU330 Lyrics
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Just a few miles away from my mom's house.
They paid their money and they put up a sign.
I guess they dress up in sheets and go pick up the trash.
the trash, the trash, they pick up the trash.
The trash, the trash, they pick up the trash.
they should know it when they see it,
They get a good look every day in the mirror.
They get a good look every day in the mirror.
The song "Kkk Hiway" by MU330 is a poignant commentary on the social and political realities of the United States. The song opens with a striking revelation that the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) adopted a highway. The highway, unfortunately, happens to be just a few miles away from the singer's mom's house. The lyrics reveal that the KKK contributed money for the upkeep of the highway and put up a sign as part of their affiliation with the Adopt-a-Highway program. However, the irony of the KKK adopting a highway is not lost on the singer as he wonders if they dress up in sheets to pick up trash.
The chorus "the trash, the trash, they pick up the trash" is a caustic play on the Klan's historic use of violence and terror to intimidate and marginalize African Americans. By associating the Klan with garbage collection, the song suggests that their ideology and actions are to be regarded with similar disdain as the trash they collect. The final verse "they should know it when they see it, they get a good look every day in the mirror" suggests that the singer is challenging the Klan's claim to be responsible and conscientious citizens. The use of the pronoun "they" shifts the focus away from individuals and instead points to the collective responsibility of the Klan as an organization.
Line by Line Meaning
did you know that the kkk adopted a hiway?
Are you aware that the KKK has officially adopted a highway?
Just a few miles away from my mom's house.
This highway is located very close to my mother's house.
They paid their money and they put up a sign.
The KKK has paid for the opportunity to place a sign on this highway.
I guess they dress up in sheets and go pick up the trash.
It is assumed that members of the KKK, who wear white sheets as part of their regalia, are responsible for cleaning up the highway's litter.
the trash, the trash, they pick up the trash.
The KKK's duty is to collect and dispose of the trash on the highway.
The trash, the trash, they pick up the trash.
This line is a repetition of the same earlier line.
they should know it when they see it,
The KKK should be able to identify what constitutes as trash when they see it.
They get a good look every day in the mirror.
This line suggests that the KKK's beliefs and actions are themselves the trash that they should be picking up.
They get a good look every day in the mirror.
This line is repeated to emphasize the message from the previous line.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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