"Co… Read Full Bio ↴In an interview, guitarist Tom Morello said this about the song:
"Cochise was the last great American Indian chief to die free and absolutely unconquered. When several members of his family were captured, tortured, and hanged by the U.S. Cavalry, Cochise declared war on the entire Southwest and went on an unholy rampage, a warpath to end all warpaths. He and his warriors drove out thousands of settlers. Cochise the avenger, fearless and resolute, attacked everything in his path with an unbridled fury."
"Cochise" was one of many songs to be included in the PlayStation 2 video game Guitar Hero. The song was also featured in the 2006 film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
A short clip of the song was also used in the 3rd episode of season 19 of The Simpsons, "Midnight Towboy".
The song was used in a montage after the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
The song was used in trailers for the film Iron Man.
Cochise
Audioslave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While you've been coughing
I've been drinking life
While you've been nauseous
And so I drink to health
While you kill yourself
And I've got just one thing
That I can offer
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me, yeah
I'm not a martyr
I'm not a prophet
And I won't preach to you
But here's a caution
You better understand
That I won't hold your hand
But if it helps you mend
Then I won't stop it
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me, yeah
Drown, if you want
And I'll see you at the bottom
Where you crawl
On my skin
And put the blame on me
So you don't feel a thing
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me, yeah
The lyrics to Audioslave's song Cochise represent a message of rescue and support from someone who has been through tough times and has come out on the other side. The first verse paints a picture of the singer watching someone else struggle with addiction or illness, while they themselves are enjoying life. However, instead of judging or condemning the other person, the singer offers a kind word and an invitation to lean on them for support. The chorus repeats the message of "save yourself" and "take it out on me," suggesting that the singer is willing to bear the burden of the other person's pain, even if it means getting blamed for things that aren't their fault.
The second verse emphasizes the singer's humility and reluctance to play the role of a savior or preacher. They acknowledge that they can't force the other person to change or heal, but at the same time, they offer a warning that the other person needs to take responsibility for their own healing journey. The bridge of the song takes a darker turn, with the singer presenting an image of drowning and the other person crawling on their skin. However, even in this bleak scenario, the singer is willing to take the blame and help the other person feel less alone.
Overall, Cochise is a powerful song about empathy, vulnerability, and the redemptive power of connection. It speaks to the human need for compassion and understanding, even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've been watching
I have been observing your actions and behavior.
While you've been coughing
While you have been ill and weak.
I've been drinking life
I have been living life to the fullest.
While you've been nauseous
While you have been feeling sick and lacking energy.
And so I drink to health
I celebrate my health and life through drinking.
While you kill yourself
While you destroy your own health and well-being.
And I've got just one thing that I can offer
The only thing I can offer you is my support.
Go on and save yourself
Do what you must to save yourself.
And take it out on me
Use me as a tool to release your frustrations.
I'm not a martyr
I am not a person who sacrifices themselves for others.
I'm not a prophet
I am not a person who can predict the future or give divine guidance.
And I won't preach to you
And I won't try to convince you of anything.
But here's a caution
But I want to warn you.
You better understand
You should be aware and comprehend.
That I won't hold your hand
I won't coddle or pamper you.
But if it helps you mend
If it helps you to heal and recover.
Then I won't stop it
Then I won't obstruct it.
Drown, if you want
If you want to suffer or deteriorate, go ahead.
And I'll see you at the bottom
And I'll meet you at your lowest point.
Where you crawl on my skin
Where you cling to me for comfort.
And put the blame on me
And blame me for your problems.
So you don't feel a thing
So you can avoid feeling the pain.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Brad Wilk, Chris Cornell, Timothy Commerford, Tom Morello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crazycattiffy
(Lyrics)
Well, I've been watching
While you've been coughing
I've been drinking life
While you've been nauseous
And so I drink to health
While you kill yourself
And I've got just one thing
That I can offer
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me, yeah
I'm not a martyr
I'm not a prophet
And I won't preach to you
But here's a caution
You better understand
That I won't hold your hand
But if it helps you mend
Then I won't stop it
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me, yeah
Drown, if you want
And I'll see you at the bottom
Where you crawl
On my skin
And put the blame on me
So you don't feel a thing
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me
Go on and save yourself
And take it out on me, yeah
@TheFivepoint1994
No one can deny the powerful voice of Chris Cornell but don't forget the three amazing musicians behind him. A true super group to be sure.
@bamajpeezy
Yeah, it's like Rage lite
@Dylan-ky6wp
Dream team
@saraalexander4524
Tom Morello! Bowing.
But Chris is my all-time fav musician.
@anncraft5398
Musicians ha ha your laughable just a noise to many bands like this bang average all about wanting to die
@sebastianabregumartinez176
well... is a 75% of Rage Againts the Machine, they are powerful even if they change singer.
@the_race1987
"“Cochise” was released as Audioslave’s first single. The song was named after an Apache Indian chief who declared war on the Southwest and drove out thousands of settlers. Cochise has been described as the last great American Indian chief to die free and absolutely unconquered. When several members of his family were captured, tortured and hanged by the U.S. Cavalry, Cochise declared war on the entire Southwest and went on an unholy rampage, a warpath to end all warpaths." - Genius
@planetclownfishbrain7052
He murdered mainly women and children. Every time he faced soldiers, he fled like the cowered he died as.
@aaronmiller3156
Weird why would they name an entire county in arizona after this person lmao.
@MachiavellisThePrince
@Christopher Bingham except the instrumental was written with Cochise in mind because Morello thought it sounded like a warpath and Cornell came on and had to compete. It is the most RATM song Audioslave did.