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
Set It Off
Audioslave Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gathering the flock
And getting there with no directions
And underneath the arch
It turned into a march
And there he found the spark to
Set this fucker off
Set it off now children
Set it right
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set a fire
Set it off
Set it off now children
Suddenly a shot
Ripped into his heart
He lay in need of some attention
And there he played his card
Going into shock
The last thing that he said was
Set this fucker off
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set it right
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set a fire
Set it off
Set it off now children
Alright
Jesus at the back door
Everything is all right
All we need is some direction
Every time the wind blows
Everything you don't know
Turns into a revelation
And it all adds up inside your head
Time is wasting
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set it right
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set it off
Set it off now children
Set a fire
Set it off
Set it off now children
Alright
The lyrics to "Set It Off" by Audioslave are very metaphorical and filled with symbolism, but the main message of the song is about revolution and taking action. The opening lines describe a leader figure, standing at the rock, gathering the flock, and leading them without any directions. This can be interpreted as a reference to a revolutionary figure who is leading the masses towards change and progress.
The following line, "And underneath the arch, it turned into a march, and there he found the spark to set this fucker off," indicates that the leader has found the motivation and inspiration to start a revolution. The phrase "Set this fucker off" is repeated throughout the song, representing the need to take action and make a change.
The song takes a dark turn when the leader is shot and in need of medical attention. However, even in this moment of crisis, the leader's last words are "Set this fucker off," emphasizing the importance of the revolution and the fight for change.
The lines "Jesus at the back door, everything is all right, all we need is some direction" could be seen as a commentary on the role of religion in the fight for justice. The final lines of the song repeat the message of taking action and setting off the revolution.
Overall, "Set It Off" is a powerful anthem about the need for revolution and taking action for the greater good.
Line by Line Meaning
He was standing at the rock
The singer was at a place with a rock formation
Gathering the flock
He was getting people together
And getting there with no directions
He reached the place without any guidance
And underneath the arch
The artist was under an archway
It turned into a march
The gathering became a march
And there he found the spark to Set this fucker off
He found the inspiration to initiate something powerful
Set it off
Start something powerful
Set it off now children
Start it now, my fellow people
Set it right
Start it with the proper intention
Set a fire
Initiate a flame of change
Suddenly a shot
Suddenly he was shot
Ripped into his heart
The bullet pierced through his heart
He lay in need of some attention
He needed immediate medical care
And there he played his card
He tried to use his influence to achieve something
Going into shock
He was experiencing shock
The last thing that he said was Set this fucker off
His final message was to rile up people for change
Jesus at the back door
Some form of relief in the form of Jesus
Everything is all right
Things are going to be okay
All we need is some direction
People need guidance towards change
Every time the wind blows
Opportunities for change come often
Everything you don't know
Things that people are unaware of
Turns into a revelation
Can lead to a breakthrough
And it all adds up inside your head
Everything culminates as an idea
Time is wasting
Time is running out
Alright
Everything is fine
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Timothy Commerford, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Brad Wilk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind