The band's second album 'Take Them On, On Your Own' featured several songs ('Generation' and 'US Government') which were critical of the United States' foreign policy and George Bush in particular.
After conflict with their label (Virgin Records), the band was dropped in 2004. Nick Jago left the band at the end of their summer tour in the same year due to "internal conflict".
Following Jago's departure Peter Hayes and Robert Levon Been regrouped and recorded the band's third album. With their third record Howl, they added blues, folk and gospel, a la Spiritualized.
In 2005 the band inked a new deal with Echo in the UK, and RCA in the US. Nick Jago also returned to the fold. The band's third album "Howl" was released that same year to widespread critical acclaim. Jago returned after most of the album was recorded but played on "Promise".
"Baby 81" the band's fourth album was released on May 1st, 2007. In June 2008 Nick Jago once again left the touring line-up of the band being replaced by The Raveonettes' touring drummer Leah Shapiro. Nick stated that "...I am fired again and to be honest with you I respect their decision".
However Hayes and Been released a conflicting joint statement that read "Nick won't be joining us for the upcoming European tour, but it's not true that he is fired. We just feel Nick needs time to sort out exactly what he wants right now. His heart and all his energy and attention is on his own solo project and he needs to see that through".
Current:
On January 9, 2013, the band announced via Facebook the name of their seventh album called Specter at the Feast which was released on March 18 in the UK and Europe and on March 19 in USA, Canada and worldwide. It is considered a tribute to Michael Been (The Call), Robert Levon Been's father who died suddenly on tour with BRMC in August 2010.
It received mostly positive reviews; many critics noting that despite the band having been together for some time the album showed a mellower and moodier side with songs such as opener `Firewalker'.
The band made the first single from the record available, a cover of The Call's 1989 hit "Let the Day Begin", for free download on their official website. The decision to record the song was a tribute to Robert's father Michael, who used his experience from The Call to help BRMC before his death in the last couple of years. The single became Q Magazine's track of the day.[6] The band have also released the Let the Day Begin EP for free, consisting of the single and the album track "Returning", made available for streaming on the official website.[7]
On April 8, 2013 it was announced that the band would play at Rock Werchter, the largest rock festival in Belgium.
The band continues to show a willingness to tour despite the obstacles. During the 2013 tour, the organisers of the Harvest festival in Australia decided to abandon the multi-city event, of which BRMC were one of the lead acts, only a few months ahead of the performances. BRMC was the first band to announce it would still visit the country and play its own shows.
Many shows on the 2013/2014 tour have sold out.
BRMC's music/songs have been featured in many films, television programs and video games.
Visit blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com for tour/CD and merchandise info.
Discography:
2001 - B.R.M.C.
2001 - Screaming Gun (EP)
2002 - Spread Your Love (EP)
2003 - Take Them On, On Your Own
2005 - Howl
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol.1 (EP)
2006 - Howl Sessions Vol. 2 (EP)
2007 - Baby 81
2007 - Napster Live Session (EP)
2007 - American X: Baby 81 Sessions (EP)
2008 - The Effects Of 333 (Download)
2010 - Beat the Devil's Tattoo
2013 - Specter At The Feast
2018 - Wrong Creatures
Kill the US Government
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To keep a smile
I got my legs from the US government
To keep me alive
We are the ones that keep you down
We are the ones that won the grounds
While our arms surround
I filled my head with another replacement
To keep me high
I shot my soul when you wanted to take this
Your worst day's mine
We are the ones that keep you high
We are the ones that won the sky
With the bird and fly's
She's my river of sunshine
She's my girl
She can save the US
Save the world
She's all right
I'll be fine
These new you whips
Save your mind, come on!
I maybe nothing if you're just gonna waste me
But that's all right
I'll give you love if you want to to taste that
And leave you behind
We are the keep you high
We are the burn your pride
And you're burning in cries
You're gonna make it
You're gonna suffer
I've been waiting for a song to come
Lead me through the gates of Rome
You're gonna know that they were never
Never yours to kill
Oh no, they were never
Never yours to kill
I've been waiting for the song to come
So you all was being done
You're gonna know that they were never
Never yours to kill
Oh no, they were never
Never yours to kill
You're gonna make it
You're gonna suffer
The lyrics to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's song "Kill the US Government" are politically charged and full of commentary on the state of American society. The first verse seems to be about the singer's struggles to survive in a harsh world, as they "strip[ped] [their] faith on city pavements" to keep a smile and got their legs from the US government to stay alive. The second verse continues this theme with talk of filling one's head with "another replacement" to keep themselves high and shooting their soul to keep their worst day as good as anyone else's.
The chorus is where the political commentary really shines through. The singer claims that "we" are the ones who keep you down, won the grounds, surround you, keep you high, won the sky, and fly with the birds. It's unclear who this "we" refers to, but it could be interpreted as the US government, big corporations, or some other powerful entity. The final lines of the chorus introduce a female character who can "save the US" and "save the world," adding an element of hope to the otherwise bleak lyrics.
The third verse takes a slightly different approach, with the singer boldly declaring "I'll give you love if you want to to taste that / and leave you behind." It's unclear who they're addressing, but it could be seen as a challenge to those who would try to control or manipulate them. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the power dynamic between the "we" and "you."
The bridge introduces a new element of the song, with the singer waiting for "a song to come" to lead them through the gates of Rome. This could be interpreted as a reference to rebellion or revolution. The final lines of the song repeat the idea that those who try to control others will ultimately fail.
Overall, "Kill the US Government" is a song that calls for change and rebellion against oppressive systems. Its lyrics are open to interpretation, but at its core it is a statement against those who would seek to dominate others.
Line by Line Meaning
I stripped my faith on city pavements
I lost my faith in the government and society due to the harsh realities of city life
To keep a smile
I try to stay positive despite the bleakness around me
I got my legs from the US government
I rely on the government for survival, as they provide basic needs like healthcare and education
To keep me alive
Without government aid, my life would be in danger
We are the ones that keep you down
The government and powerful institutions oppress the common people
We are the ones that won the grounds
Those in power have gained control over the land and its resources
While our arms surround
The powerful maintain their control through their military and police forces
I filled my head with another replacement
To escape reality, I turn to drugs or other distractions
To keep me high
These distractions numb the pain of living in a harsh world
I shot my soul when you wanted to take this
When threatened by those in power, I am willing to fight and resist
Your worst day's mine
I am willing to suffer to stand up against oppression
We are the ones that keep you high
The powerful allow the people to have vices and distractions to make them easier to control
We are the ones that won the sky
The powers that be have gained control over technology, communication, and media
With the bird and fly's
With their access to technology and media, the powerful can monitor and manipulate the people at will
She's my river of sunshine
Love is a source of hope and optimism for me
She's my girl
My partner brings light and happiness to my life
She can save the US
Through the power of love and positive change, progress can be made in even the largest and most daunting systems
Save the world
This love and change can extend beyond the US to heal the world
She's all right
My partner and our love give me peace and comfort
I'll be fine
Through my love and resistance, I will find a way to survive and thrive
These new you whips
The latest systems and technology designed to control and manipulate the masses
Save your mind, come on!
I urge others to resist and fight against these systems of oppression
I maybe nothing if you're just gonna waste me
If my rebellion and resistance are ultimately futile, my actions will have been for nothing
But that's all right
Even if I don't succeed, I will continue fighting for what is right
I'll give you love if you want to to taste that
I am willing to share my positivity and love with others, even those who oppose me
And leave you behind
But if you remain opposed to love and positive change, I will have to leave you to your fate
We are the keep you high
The powers that be give people just enough hope and distraction to keep them complacent and less likely to resist
We are the burn your pride
But they systematically work to strip the people of their dignity, pride, and agency
And you're burning in cries
The people are left feeling helpless, desperate, and in pain
You're gonna make it
Despite the struggles and oppression, the people can still persevere and succeed
You're gonna suffer
But it will not be easy, and there will be much pain and sacrifice along the way
I've been waiting for a song to come
I am searching for inspiration and guidance to continue my fight
Lead me through the gates of Rome
I am looking for a way to defeat the most powerful and oppressive systems
You're gonna know that they were never
Even though the powerful seem invincible, they are not
Never yours to kill
The people cannot destroy these systems completely, but they can resist and push back
Oh no, they were never
And ultimately, the people's resistance and positivity will prevail, even against the most powerful forces
You're gonna make it
The struggles and resistance may be difficult, but the people can succeed
You're gonna suffer
But it will not be easy, and there will be much pain and sacrifice along the way
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NICHOLAS JAGO, PETER HAYES, ROBERT TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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