Riot
Fishbone Lyrics

The lyrics of Fishbone's song Riot express the frustration and anger felt by the African American community in the wake of systemic racism and economic oppression. The song speaks to the idea that when people have nothing left to lose, they will resort to extreme and destructive behavior. The line "When you ain't got shit, make you want to loot shit" speaks to the desperation felt by those who are living in poverty and feel like they have no options or opportunities available to them. The subsequent line "When ya fuckin' fed up, dam sure gonna shot shit" alludes to the idea that violent outbursts and riots are a predictable result of years of institutional discrimination, violence, and exploitation. The song challenges the notion that the government, and white people in general, are equipped to address these issues, and instead calls for direct action in the form of rioting and looting.

The second verse of the song continues this theme, and goes on to explain the motivation behind acts of violence during protests. Fishbone argues that when corporations and businesses treat their customers with disrespect and disdain, they create an environment where people feel like they have nothing to lose by lashing out against the system. The line "Treat your customer crazy, they gonna act crazy" suggests that the violence and destruction that occurs during riots is a form of retaliation against an exploitative economic system. The song concludes with the lyrics "Look at that shit smolder", which serves as a warning to those in power that if they continue to ignore the needs and demands of marginalized communities, there will be serious consequences.