Dead Kennedys' lyrics were usually political in nature, satirizing the Reagan Administration and the American establishment in general, as well as popular culture and even the punk movement itself. Several stores refused to stock their recordings, sparking debate about censorship in rock music. Jello Biafra became an active campaigner against the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), culminating in an obscenity trial in 1985-1986 which resulted in a hung jury.
The group released a total of four studio albums and one EP before disbanding in 1986. Following the band's dissolution, Jello Biafra continued to collaborate and record with other artists including D.O.A., NoMeansNo and his own bands Lard and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, as well as releasing spoken word performances and becoming an activist with the Green Party.
In 2000, Jello Biafra lost an acrimonious legal case initiated by his former Dead Kennedys band mates over songwriting credits and unpaid royalties. In 2001, the band reformed; various singers have since been recruited for vocal duties.
Chemical Warfare
Dead Kennedys Lyrics
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Guarded day and night by caged white rabbits
Been sitting there for years, I'm gonna have at it
I cut through the fence, run right in and grab it, go crazy, crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Now I got my own mustard gas in my pocket
Climb on a tree on a branch and drop it
So I can watch them die chokin' shakin' in convulsions, go crazy, crazy
Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Chemical warfare, chemical warfare
Chemical warfare, warfare, warfare
Chemical warfare, chemical warfare
Chemical warfare, warfare, warfare
Panic in the air, see the headless chickens runnin'
Golf carts head-on crashin' crackin' heads wide open
Scratch the grass, mister, you can't breathe
And roll and writhe in a sandtrap, starting to heave
Claw those clubs, lemme see you seethe
Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy
Chemical warfare, chemical warfare
Chemical warfare, warfare, warfare
Chemical warfare, chemical warfare
Chemical warfare, warfare, warfare
Yellow air
Yellow clouds
Blowin' down down down the fairway, sensitive to the touch
Mowin' down, down the putting green heading straight for the big clubhouse where
The stuffed country club
Effervescent ladies, so carefree
Relax, pose by the pool
Limber limp with a dry martini
Until
Oh shit, what is going on in here?!
Chemical warfare, chemical warfare
Chemical warfare, warfare, warfare
Chemical warfare, chemical warfare
Chemical warfare, warfare, warfare
"Chemical Warfare" is a song by American punk rock band Dead Kennedys. The lyrics of the song tell a story of a person breaking into an arsenal and stealing containers of nerve gas, which he then uses on the patrons of a country club. The imagery in the song is vivid and violent, describing the effects of the nerve gas and the panic it causes.
The song is often interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of chemical weapons and the military-industrial complex that produces them. The use of caged white rabbits as guards highlights the inhumane treatment of animals in scientific experiments. The line "yellow air, yellow clouds" references the yellow smoke produced by the nerve gas and the way it spreads through the air.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "chemical warfare" multiple times, emphasizing the devastating impact of chemical weapons. The use of the word "warfare" also suggests that the use of chemical weapons is akin to warfare and should be treated as a serious threat.
Overall, "Chemical Warfare" is a powerful and unsettling song that highlights the danger of chemical weapons and the need for caution when dealing with these deadly substances.
Line by Line Meaning
Down at the arsenal they keep the nerve gasses
There are nerve gases stored at the arsenal.
Guarded day and night by caged white rabbits
The nerve gases are being guarded by caged rabbits.
Been sitting there for years, I'm gonna have at it
The nerve gases have been sitting there for years and the singer wants to get his hands on them.
I cut through the fence, run right in and grab it, go crazy, crazy
The singer cuts through the fence to steal the nerve gas and feels crazy once he has it.
Now I got my own mustard gas in my pocket
The singer has stolen mustard gas and put it in his pocket.
Climb on a tree on a branch and drop it
The singer climbs a tree and drops the mustard gas.
On a country club full of Saturday golfers
The singer drops the gas on a golf course filled with people.
So I can watch them die chokin' shakin' in convulsions, go crazy, crazy
The singer finds joy in watching people die from the gas.
Panic in the air, see the headless chickens runnin'
People are panicking and running around like headless chickens.
Golf carts head-on crashin' crackin' heads wide open
The chaos leads to golf carts crashing and people getting hurt.
Scratch the grass, mister, you can't breathe
People can't breathe properly because of the gas.
And roll and writhe in a sandtrap, starting to heave
People roll around and writhe in pain.
Claw those clubs, lemme see you seethe
People try to fight the pain by clawing at their clubs.
Yellow air
The air is yellow because of the gas.
Yellow clouds
The clouds are yellow because of the gas.
Blowin' down down down the fairway, sensitive to the touch
The gas is blowing through the fairway and is dangerous to the touch.
Mowin' down, down the putting green heading straight for the big clubhouse where
The gas is spreading and heading towards the big clubhouse.
The stuffed country club
The country club is filled with wealthy people.
Effervescent ladies, so carefree
The women at the country club are carefree and lively.
Relax, pose by the pool
The people at the country club are lounging by the pool.
Limber limp with a dry martini
The people are drunk and relaxed.
Until
Their peace is interrupted by the gas.
Oh shit, what is going on in here?!
People panic as they realize what is happening.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KLAUS FLOURIDE, JELLO BIAFRA, RAY EAST BAY, DARREN ERIC HENLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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