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
Rifles
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see the rifles coming over the hill
And if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill
But if you think like me
You'll be as dead as he
I see the lion crawling over your bed
To what you're gonna be
It never lets you be
I see the color in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more color in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
I won't let you take him away
And I won't give to you the fires of hate
So I will never see
What you've done to me
I see the color in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more color in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
I see the rifles coming over the hill
And if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill
But if you think like me
You'll be as dead as he
Some day
I see the color in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more color in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
The song “Rifles” by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is a haunting portrayal of the horrors of war, oppression, and violence. The opening lines, “I see the rifles coming over the hill, and if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill” describe the ominous presence of soldiers and the fear they evoke. The singer suggests that speaking up against them may halt their actions, but ultimately, their power will prevail over any voice of opposition. The lyric “But if you think like me, you'll be as dead as he” implies that aligning oneself with the oppressor gives no safety, and one’s fate is in their hands.
The second verse introduces a new threat - a lion lurking in the background. This could symbolize the fear and anxiety that can manifest from living under constant oppression. The following line, “To what you're gonna be, it never lets you be” suggests that once one experiences trauma or the threat of violence, it is never truly forgotten, and it can haunt one’s thoughts and actions forevermore.
The chorus, “I see the color in your eyes, I see the images I own, I see more color in your eyes, than the reflections from purple skies” may suggest that the violence and struggle of war have a way of distorting one’s perception of reality. The world no longer appears in its true colors, but instead through a lens of violence and fear. The concluding lines suggest a refusal to give in to hate and stand strong against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the rifles coming over the hill
The singer sees danger approaching.
And if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill
The singer hopes that calling out to the danger might lead to it stopping.
But if you think like me
You'll be as dead as he
The singer believes that if someone else shares their mindset toward the danger, they too will be in danger.
I see the lion crawling over your bed
And if you stay he'll make you walk in your bed
To what you're gonna be
It never lets you be
The artist imagines a threat that will intrude on one's personal space and inner thoughts, never allowing one to truly be themselves.
I see the color in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more color in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
The artist is captivated by someone's unique and vivid appearance, surpassing even the beauty of nature.
I won't let you take him away
And I won't give to you the fires of hate
So I will never see
What you've done to me
For the singer, protecting someone they care about is worth resisting the temptation towards retaliation or resentment.
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
The singer envisions someone embracing life alongside others, finding fulfillment and purpose.
I see the rifles coming over the hill
And if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill
But if you think like me
You'll be as dead as he
Some day
The artist returns to the idea of shared danger, warning that eventually the threat will catch up to them both if they don't act.
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
The artist repeats their hopeful vision for the listener to seize life surrounded by others.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NICHOLAS JAGO, PETER HAYES, PETER B. HAYES, ROBERT BEEN, ROBERT TURNER, ROBERT L. BEEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tonyhaze2670
Rifles-Lyrics
I see the rifles coming over the hill
And if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill
But if you think like me
You'll be as dead as he
I see the lion crawling over your bed
And if you stay he'll make you walk in your bed
To what you're gonna be
It never lets you be
I see the colour in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more colour in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
I won't let you take him away
And I won't give to you the fires of hate
So I will never see
What you've done to me
I see the colour in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more colour in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
I see the rifles coming over the hill
And if you shout maybe they stop and won't kill
But if you think like me
You'll be as dead as he
Some day
I see the colour in your eyes
I see the images I own
I see more colour in your eyes
Than the reflections from purple skies
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
Now
You come alive
With the world at your side
@RoCkStAr133774
One does not simply listen to only one BRMC song.
@Deedee-ee1sg
One of my favourite songs EVER by this terrific band! Greatly underrated. Incredible live band. Lord, how I miss you guys!
@AnXietY1984
Just imagine walking through the streets of NYC at midnight while listening to this. Absolutely mesmerizing.
@pumpkins0
Sounds awfully dangerous though. lol
@AnXietY1984
pumpkins0 Yeah it is lol....what if you left out the dangerous part then that would be cool. Too bad there are evil people out there 😕
@cedar9239
and good luck getting a carry permit in NYC.
@thebarrochannel
I say it'd be really cool, as for dangerous, I dont think so. I lived 7 years in Caracas (#1 toughest city in the world). I think NY is beautiful and not that dangerous. If you see a thug just let him know you aint fucking around.
@IXA40
+thebarrochannel That's what I did in holly wood when I stabbed him in the stomach.. oops Lol
@scottfrench4139
Bought this album the week it was released. This is the apex of BRMC.
@timothystrickler7795
I thought this song was boring at first, but now it makes me feel like I'm slowly floating up into the night sky looking down at a brightly lit city.