White Riot
Angelic Upstarts Lyrics

The Angelic Upstarts' song "White Riot" is a political punk rock anthem criticizing the double standards and institutional racism in British society. The lyrics express the frustration of the white working-class youths who feel oppressed and disillusioned by the socio-economic inequality and lack of opportunities, while the government and the police seem to favor the rich and the powerful. The chorus of "White riot - I wanna riot / White riot - a riot on my own" serves as a call to arms for the white youth to rebel against the system and take matters into their own hands. The repetition of "white riot" emphasizes the irony that the rioters are not the black people who are suffering from discrimination but the white people who are privileged but dissatisfied.

The first verse juxtaposes the black people's struggle with the white people's apathy, suggesting that the former are more willing to take action and fight back, even if it means resorting to violence. The line "where they teach you how to be thick" is a critique of the education system that fails to provide relevant skills and knowledge to the working-class students, hence perpetuating the cycle of poverty and ignorance. The second verse continues the theme of conformity and fear of authority, as the masses obey the rules and norms without questioning their validity or fairness. The line "too chicken to even try it" implies that the white people are not brave enough to challenge the status quo, unlike the black people who dare to risk their freedom for their rights.

The last stanza raises the ultimate question of whether the white youth will lead or follow, progress or regress. The word "taking" can be interpreted as either "taking control" or "taking orders", depending on one's attitude towards authority. The line "going backwards or forwards" highlights the crucial choice facing the youth, whether to embrace change and advancement or to cling to the past and conservatism. The song as a whole encourages critical thinking and rebellion against oppression, regardless of one's race or background.