Alternative Press calls the song a "huge rocker" which is a "fierce call to arms against apathy." It was also referred to as sounding "like an out-take from the Dookie sessions.
Billie Joe Armstrong told Q magazine: âItâs a rallying song. Itâs about liberating yourself from a lot of bullshit that you see on TV.â
A music video for this song will be out with the release of the song on April 24, 2009. It will be the first global cross-channel video premiĂšre for MTV and VH1 networks.
The first play of song occurred on Sara Cox's BBC Radio 1 show at 10:00AM GMT. 93.3 WMMR debuted the song on the 'Preston and Steve show' at 7:05AM. A 90 second clip of the band playing the song was featured at the opening teaser of the NCAA 2009 Men's Basketball Championship game on April 6, 2009. The 90-second clip featured scenes from the music video intercut with scenes from the basketball season. The clip is now available for view on both YouTube and the official Green Day website, after being put up and taken down repeatedly. A short preview clip can be found on Green Day's official website. It was made available for internet download on April 16, 2009. In addition, a 90 second clip of the song was posted on the bands' MySpace page on April 6th, 2009.
Know Your Enemy
Green Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Violence is an energy
Against the enemy
Violence is an energy
Bringing on the fury
The choir infantry
Revolt against the honor to obey
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
While burning down the foreman of control
Silence is an enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
The insurgency will rise
When the blood's been sacrificed
Don't be blinded by the lies
In your eyes
Violence is an energy
From here to eternity
Violence is an energy
Silence is an enemy
So gimme gimme revolution
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
We're burning down the foreman of control
Silence is an enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul
The song "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day can be interpreted as a call to arms against ignorance and complacency. The repeated lyrics "Do you know the enemy?" and "Gotta know the enemy" convey a sense of urgency and the need to be aware of the forces that pose a threat to freedom and progress. The idea that "violence is an energy" reflects the band's belief that sometimes forceful action is necessary to effect change and resist oppression.
The lyrics also suggest that silence can be an enemy, as it can allow oppression to continue unchecked. The call to "rally up the demons of your soul" is a call to action, a plea to tap into one's inner strength and take a stand against injustice.
Overall, "Know Your Enemy" is a powerful and politically charged song that encourages listeners to be active and informed in the face of oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know the enemy?
Do you understand who or what is working against you?
Do you know your enemy?
Do you know the specific details about your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
It is crucial to understand your enemy in order to defeat them
Violence is an energy
The use of force can be an effective motivator
Against the enemy
Fighting back against the one(s) who oppose you
Bringing on the fury
Bringing extreme anger and emotion to the situation
The choir infantry
The group of people fighting for a common goal
Revolt against the honor to obey
Rebelling against what is traditionally viewed as honorable or respectful
Overthrow the effigy
To violently take down the leader or representative figurehead
The vast majority
The larger group of people (not including those in power)
While burning down the foreman of control
Destroying the person or entity that holds the power
Silence is an enemy
The act of remaining quiet can be detrimental to your cause
Against your urgency
Acting against your own sense of urgency or personal drive
So rally up the demons of your soul
Summoning inner strength and passion to fight back
The insurgency will rise
The rebellion will grow stronger
When the blood's been sacrificed
After a significant amount of loss and struggle
Don't be blinded by the lies
Do not let yourself be deceived or misled
In your eyes
In your perception of reality
From here to eternity
For an indefinite amount of time
So gimme gimme revolution
A call to action to incite a revolution
Overthrow the effigy
Urging listeners to take down those in power
The vast majority
The majority of people who do not hold the power
We're burning down the foreman of control
Taking down the controlling authority, often in a violent manner
Silence is an enemy
The lack of action can be detrimental
Against your urgency
Working against your urgency to take action
So rally up the demons of your soul
Summoning inner strength to fight back against control
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG, FRANK E., III WRIGHT, FRANK EDWIN WRIGHT III, MICHAEL PRITCHARD, MIKE DIRNT, MIKE RYAN PRITCHARD, TRE COOL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luneeaaa
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Violence is an energy
Against the enemy
Well, violence is an energy, wah hey
Bringing on the fury
The choir infantry
Revolt against the honor to obey
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
Well, burning down the foreman of control
Silence is the enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
The insurgency will rise
When the blood's been sacrificed
Don't be blinded by the lies in your eyes
Sing!
Well, violence is an energy, oh ay, oh ay
Well, from here to eternity, oh ay, oh ay
Well, violence is an energy, oh ay, oh ay
Well, silence is the enemy so gimme gimme revolution!
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
Burning down the foreman of control
Silence is the enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul
@castorrene2363
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!
Violence is an energy
Against the enemy
Well violence is an energy, right.
Bringing on the fury
The choir infantry
Revolt against the honor to obey (Ohaooh)
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
We're burning down the foreman of control (Ohaooh)
Silence is the enemy
Against your urgency
so rally up the demons of your soul (Ohaooh)
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
well gotta know the enemy, ohaooh.
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
well gotta know the enemy, ohaooh.
Insurgency will rise,
When the blood's been sacrificed
Don't be blinded by the lies in your eyes.
Say!
Ohaooh
Ohaooh
Well, violence is an energy, ohaooh
From here to Eternity
Well, violence is an energy, ohaooh
Silence is the enemy
So give me, give me revolution!
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!
Do you know the enemy
Do you know your enemy
Well gotta' know the enemy, ohaooh!
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
We're burning down the foreman of control
Silence is the enemy
Against your urgency
so rally up the demons of your soul (Ohaooh) \m/
@wly8735
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Violence is an energy
A violĂȘncia Ă© uma energia
Against the enemy
Contra o inimigo
Well, violence is an energy (Right?)
Bem, a violĂȘncia Ă© uma energia (certo?)
Bringing on the fury
Trazendo a fĂșria
The choir infantry
O coral da infantaria
Revolt against the honor to obey
A revolta contra a honra a ser obedecida
Overthrow the effigy
Destruir a efĂgie
The vast majority
A vasta maioria
Well, burning down the foreman of control
Bem, destruindo o representante do poder
Silence is the enemy
O silĂȘncio Ă© o inimigo
Against your urgency
Contra a sua urgĂȘncia
So rally up the demons of your soul
EntĂŁo reĂșna os demĂŽnios da sua alma
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
The insurgency will rise
A revolta nascerĂĄ
When the bloods been sacrificed
Quando o sangue foi sacrificado
Don't be blinded by the lies
NĂŁo seja cegado pelas mentiras
In your eyes
diante dos seus olhos
Well, violence is an energy
Bem, a violĂȘncia Ă© uma energia
Well, from here to eternity
Bem, daqui até a eternidade
Well, violence is an energy
Bem, a violĂȘncia Ă© uma energia
Well, silence is the enemy
Bem, o silĂȘncio Ă© o inimigo
So gimme, gimme revolution!
EntĂŁo me dĂȘ, me dĂȘ revolução!
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Do you know the enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o inimigo?
Do you know your enemy?
VocĂȘ conhece o seu inimigo?
Well, gotta know the enemy (Right?)
Bem, tem que conhecer o inimigo (certo?)
Overthrow the effigy
DestrĂłi a imagem
The vast majority
A vasta maioria
Well, burning down the foreman of control
Bem, destruindo o representante do poder
Silence is the enemy
O silĂȘncio Ă© o inimigo
Against your urgency
Contra a sua urgĂȘncia
So rally up the demons of your soul
EntĂŁo reĂșna os demĂŽnios da sua alma
@GreenDay
We just announced a MASSIVE tour đ All the details you need for The Saviors Tour are on greenday.com/tour
New album âSaviors' out January 19th, 2024, pre-order it now https://greenday.lnk.to/saviors
@evanmckelvy8337
0:50 or 51 What's the 'Red' chain-link about? Are you look to be the captive for the audience?
@coldwarveteran
bought a ticket to Wembley next year
@TheQuince88
Iâm 8 years old and I love i
Green day this much I gave up all my presents just to come to your concert â€đ keep up the good work canât wait to see you play live â€
đ
@TheQuince88
Iâll have the best birthday â€
@andrewe360
I'm surrounded by those . Eureka!
@isaacureta1685
I used to wake up early just to listen to this song on MTV. After that, I would go to work delivering newspapers for $15 a week, and then attend my public school in the afternoon. My father had passed away, so we didn't have much money. Now, after 14 years since this music came out, I have a stable job. I want to thank Greenday for giving me strength with this song during those difficult years. I'm from Peru, South America.
@damianprock1650
IKR, this song even meant a lot to those who watched Friday night Smackdown
@bendorward
DO YOU KNOW THE ENEMY? DO YOU KNOW YOUR ENEMY
@lucasarce8823
Esa es una historia de origen brutal