The band broke up in 2023 following sexual assault allegations against Sane and their social media accounts being deleted. Various sources close to the band state that the breakup was made exclusively by Sane, with the other band members being unaware of the allegations until after.
Kill the Rich
Anti-Flag Lyrics
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they've gotta stop to laugh,
"We've really got those suckers fooled,
we've got 'em trained like rats!"
The riches plot,
control your thoughts,
to make you blame yourself,
You're taught this is right,
that it's all your fault.
KILL, KILL, KILL!!!(X4)
They throw a war like a party saying,
"It's for a moral cause..."
telling you if you're a patriot that,
"YOU'D BETTER DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD!"
You burn a flag,
you're gonna hang,
brainwashed nationalism
makes you a tool.
They're getting rich by selling weapons to both countries,
you never think to question what you're told!
KILL, KILL, KILL!!! (X4)
They're gonna give you nothing
they want to take away the little they call something
you know you're being used but still you play along
if you're not complacent,
you're doing something wrong.
one day they'll push too far
that marks the beginning of their end
we'll bring them chasing down till they're all dead, they're all dead,
they're all dead!
The time is growing near... put the trigger to the man
LETS GO KILL 'EM!
The lyrics of Anti-Flag's song Kill the Rich express a strong condemnation of the wealthy elite who hold power over society and manipulate the masses. The song starts with a dialogue between a billionaire and his friends who are amused by how they have managed to fool the people into thinking that they are superior and smarter than them. The lyrics highlight the way the rich exert control over others, making them blame themselves for their poverty and disempowering them. The chorus repeats the word 'kill' four times, urging the oppressed to take extreme measures against their oppressors.
The second verse criticizes how the wealthy elite uses patriotism and nationalism to justify wars and violence that benefit their interests, while the ordinary citizens suffer and die for their cause. The lyrics emphasize how brainwashing makes people tools in the hands of their rulers, and they do not question the authority's lies and propaganda. The song denounces the way the rich profit from selling weapons to both sides of a conflict, fueling more wars and bloodshed.
The final verse expresses the frustration of the oppressed, who know they are being exploited, but still comply with the system, allowing the rich to take away their rights and freedoms. The lyrics encourage resistance and revolt against the ruling class, predicting that one day, the people will rise up and overthrow their oppressors. The song ends with a call to action to kill the rich, signifying the intense anger and desperation felt by those who have been marginalized and oppressed.
Line by Line Meaning
A billionaire chatting with his friends,
A wealthy person is having a conversation with their peers.
they've gotta stop to laugh,
They find their wealth and power amusing.
"We've really got those suckers fooled,
They believe that the general public is naive and easily manipulated.
we've got 'em trained like rats!"
They feel that the masses have been conditioned like animals.
The riches plot,
The wealthy scheme.
control your thoughts,
They manipulate the common beliefs of society.
to make you blame yourself,
They want you to think that your own limitations are the reason for your lack of wealth.
"The rich are rich because they're smarter than me..."
They suggest that the wealthy are more intelligent than the average person.
You're taught this is right,
You are made to believe that their way of thinking is correct.
that it's all your fault.
They want you to believe that your lack of wealth is your own fault.
KILL, KILL, KILL!!!(X4)
The anger and frustration towards the wealthy is emphasized through repetition, but not necessarily meant to be taken literally.
They throw a war like a party saying,
War is treated frivolously by the rich and powerful.
"It's for a moral cause..."
War is promoted as a just cause by the powers that be.
telling you if you're a patriot that,
They use nationalism to manipulate individuals.
"YOU'D BETTER DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD!"
They use fear to intimidate people into submission.
You burn a flag,
Any form of protest or opposition is met with extreme consequences.
you're gonna hang,
The punishment for dissent is severe.
brainwashed nationalism
The promotion of nationalism is not sincere, but a way of manipulating individuals to conform with their ideas.
makes you a tool.
They seek to use nationalism as a way of manipulating you to conform to their views.
They're getting rich by selling weapons to both countries,
The wealthy benefit from war and conflict regardless of which side wins.
you never think to question what you're told!
Individuals often accept what they are told without bothering to question its validity.
KILL, KILL, KILL!!! (X4)
The frustration and anger towards the powerful increases with each repetition, but it is not an endorsement of violence.
They're gonna give you nothing
The wealthy do not intend to give you anything in return for your compliance.
they want to take away the little they call something
The wealthy benefit from taking away the little that people have, regardless of their struggle to attain it.
you know you're being used but still you play along
Individuals may be aware of being manipulated, but they continue to play along with the wealthy in the hope of benefiting.
if you're not complacent,
The wealthy dismiss any form of opposition or dissent.
you're doing something wrong.
Individuals are made to feel guilty for not adhering to the wishes of the wealthy.
one day they'll push too far
At some point, the frustrations of individuals may become too much.
that marks the beginning of their end
Any form of dissent or opposition can mark the beginning of the end of the control of the powerful elite.
we'll bring them chasing down till they're all dead, they're all dead,
This line is not an endorsement of violence, but an expression of anger and the desire for the fall of the wealthy elite.
"The time is growing near... put the trigger to the man
The lyrics express a sense of urgency and the belief that the fall of the powerful elite is growing closer.
LETS GO KILL 'EM!
This line is not an endorsement of violence, but an expression of anger and frustration towards the wealthy elite.
Contributed by Aaron A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.