Audioslave released three successful albums, received three Grammy nominations, sold more than eight million records worldwide, and became the first American rock band to perform an open-air concert in Cuba. Cornell issued a statement in February 2007 that he was permanently leaving the band "due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences." As the other three members were busy with the Rage Against the Machine reunion, and Morello and Cornell had each released solo albums in 2007, Audioslave was officially disbanded.
Discography
2002 Audioslave
2005 Out of Exile
2006 Revelations
Killing In The Name
Audioslave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Ugh!
Killing in the name of
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you
But now you do what they told you
Well now you do what they told you
Those who died are justified for wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified for wearing the badge,
They're the chosen whites
You justify those who died by wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Ugh!
Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
Now you do what they told you
Now you do what they told you
Now you do what they told you
Now you do what they told you
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you, now you're under control
And now you do what they told you
Those who died are justified for wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified for wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Come on
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Motherfucker!
The lyrics in Audioslave's "Killing in the Name" speak to rebellion, resistance, and the corrupt systems in place in modern society. The repetition of "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses" drives home the message that those in power can also be responsible for hate and violence. The line "Those who died are justified for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites" underscores the idea that those in power believe their actions are justified because of their position or race.
The chorus of "Killing in the name of" is a call to action for listeners to resist the oppressive systems in place and to reject the notion that power justifies violence. The repeated refrain of "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" is a powerful statement of defiance against those in power. The song becomes a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt the weight of oppressive systems and the desire to rebel against them.
Line by Line Meaning
Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses
Those who work as enforcers of the law and those who perpetrate hate crimes are sometimes the same person.
Now you do what they told you
You are now following orders and being controlled by those in power.
Those who died are justified for wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
The deaths of law enforcement officers are justified simply by the fact that they wore a badge, and this system favors white people.
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
I refuse to comply with and be controlled by those in power.
Contributed by Hudson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cavemanzach9475
Tom Morello looks like a dad that claims to play guitar while grilling at the BBQ but is actually a rock god.
@RonyTomo420
That’s true
@theirishpotato6588
@@RonyTomo420 yes.
@bebihutcheson1340
That’s not Tom
@aknightwing9077
Bebi Hutcheson yes it is
@aknightwing9077
Skott yes it is
@chrisdoggett8603
I love that he said the verse as it was intended "Some of those that hold office, are the same that burn crosses" - Rage had written it that way but the record label made them change it to "some of those that work forces"
@mimg_fg656
La watona tetona
@filipklofac6303
But only in second verse, the first one is with "work forces". Just saying.
@StateOfFreakMode
right buts cops and the military are still our enemy for the most part