The… Read Full Bio ↴Hermosa Beach, California, USA (1979–1990, 1994–1995, 2001–2010)
The Circle Jerks were an American hardcore punk band, formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. The group was founded by former Black Flag vocalist Keith Morris and Red Kross guitarist Greg Hetson. They were among the preeminent hardcore punk bands of the LA scene in the late 1970s.
The band broke up and reformed three times, sometimes with different bassists and/or drummers. They disbanded for the first time after the release of their fifth album, 1987's VI, as Hetson decided to continue touring and releasing albums with Bad Religion. They reunited around 1994 and recorded a reunion album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, during the following year, followed by a tour. After that, the Circle Jerks once again parted ways as Hetson was still involved in Bad Religion. They reunited again circa 2001, but as of 2010, are on hiatus.
To date, the Circle Jerks have released six studio albums, one compilation, a live album and a live DVD. Their last studio album, Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities, was released in 1995 and was the band's only reunion album to date.
Many recent groups and artists cite the Circle Jerks as an influence, including Flea (musician), Anti-Flag,[1][2] Dropkick Murphys,[3] The Offspring[2] and Pennywise.[2]
Coup d'état
Circle Jerks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coup d'etat
Coup d'etat
Coup d'etat
The government gets overthrown
A sudden force, a major stroke
Override, nuke comes in
Give me a bomb
A molotov
It's a coup d'etat!
The generalisimo sets up shop
Step out of line, your neck's on the block
Armies marching through the streets
Dressed so sharp, dressed real neat
Coup d'etat
Coup d'etat
A push from the left and a shove from the right
It's all planned out, we'll do it tonight
First the president then his wife
We'll hold them for ransom or take their lives
Attack their embassy
They are our enemies
El presidente smokes cigars
Anyone he does not like
He shoots or put behind bars
Coup d'etat
Coup d'etat
Kill 'em all!
This song "Coup d'Etat" by Circle Jerks is a political protest song that talks about the violent overthrow of a government, hence the title "Coup d'Etat." The song starts with the repeating chorus, "Coup d'etat, coup d'etat," emphasizing the rebellion that is about to happen. The first verse talks about how the government gets overthrown suddenly with a major stroke, and how the military takes control by force. The use of "override" and "nuke comes in" portrays the harshness of a military takeover. The singer of the song asks for a bomb and a molotov (a homemade incendiary weapon) to join the rebellion.
The second verse describes the generalissimo, the regime's leader, who sets up his dictatorship after overthrowing the previous government. Under his rule, anyone who steps out of line will face execution. The armies march through the streets, dressed sharply and neatly. With the song's chorus repeated throughout the song, the artist poses a rhetorical question about the situation's chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Coup d'etat, coup d'etat!
Chanting and declaring the occurrence of a coup d'etat - a sudden, illegal, and often violent seizure of government power.
Coup d'etat
Repeating the term coup d'etat to emphasize the gravity and urgency of the situation.
The government gets overthrown
The current government systems are dismantled and replaced by the coup leaders.
A sudden force, a major stroke
An unexpected and forceful action that brings about the coup and fundamentally changes the existing regime.
Override, nuke comes in
The previous regime is overruled and replaced with the coup leaders' preferred regime. A metaphorical nuclear bomb is used for the swift and devastating impact of the coup.
Give me a bomb
A demand for a harmful weapon to further the goals of the coup.
A molotov
Another type of weapon used to damage or destroy property as part of the coup.
It's a coup d'etat!
Reiterating that the situation is a coup d'etat.
The generalisimo sets up shop
The new authoritarian leader sets up their administration following the coup.
Step out of line, your neck's on the block
Punishment will be quick and severe for any failure to comply with the new regime's rules and standards.
Armies marching through the streets
Military presence in the streets to enforce new regulations and show power over the people.
Dressed so sharp, dressed real neat
The military is dressed immaculately to display discipline, organization, and efficiency.
A push from the left and a shove from the right
Both sides of the political spectrum conspire to overthrow the government with equal force.
It's all planned out, we'll do it tonight
The coup leaders have a clear outline of their objectives and plan to execute them at that current time.
First the president then his wife
The current head of state and their spouse are targeted for capture or assassination as government figureheads.
We'll hold them for ransom or take their lives
The captured officials can be used as a bargaining chip or dealt with more brutally if intercession is not successful.
Attack their embassy
To disrupt existing foreign relations and international alliances, the coup leaders will take action against embassies and other diplomatic establishments.
They are our enemies
Establishing an us-versus-them mentality as a way to legitimize the coup and demonize those who are critical of it.
El presidente smokes cigars
The former leader is portrayed as corrupt or incompetent through use of frivolities such as smoking cigars.
Anyone he does not like
The former leader is demonstrated as obsessed with power and control, targeting anyone who is against him.
He shoots or put behind bars
Violent punishment is used to oppress and intimidate political opposition.
Kill 'em all!
A call for aggressive action and the elimination of all perceived opposition to the coup.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: KEITH MORRIS, GREG HETSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind