Current band members:
Marcos Leal – vocals (2019–present)
Dave Chavarri – drums (1998–present)
Daniel Couto – percussion (2003–present)
Jes De Hoyos – lead guitar (2019–present)
Sal Dominguez – rhythm guitar (2019–present)
Lazaro Pina – bass (1999–present)
Former band members:
Cristian Machado – vocals (1999–2019)
Jorge Rosado – vocals (1998–1999)
Ahrue Luster – lead guitar (2003–2019)
Marc Rizzo – lead guitar (1998–2003)
Diego Verduzco – rhythm guitar (2006–2019)
Jardel Paisante – rhythm guitar (1999–2006)
Daniel Gomez – rhythm guitar (1998)
Roger Vasquez – percussion (1999–2003)
Omar Clavijo – turntables (2003–2004)
Dead Friends
Ill Niño Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The only one you need, the only one you get
We come loaded, packing bullets
Watch your back cause this is not what you think
Not what you think
Cause they're fucking with vatos lives
Who can't tell the truth to the fucking man
And they're raping from our tribes
It's the calling for an armor plate
A violent fate
A rebel state
Why a violent fate
A rebel state, why
Only demons in your head
They're just ordinary
All the Angles at your bed
They're just ordinary
All the roses at your grave
Will just die and fade away
Now your lies are on display
You're just ordinary
You're ordinary and you don't scare me
You're ordinary
Who are your dead friends?
The only one you need
The only one you get
Hay peligro, es mi amigo, es el gringo
But he's not what you think
Cause they're selling you all the hype
To keep all the truth in their nazi klan
And they're making our mothers cry
To opress the youth like they always planned
It's the calling for an armor plate
A rebel state
A violent fate
Only demons in your head
They're just ordinary
All the Angles at your bed
They're just ordinary
All the roses at your grave
Will just die and fade away
Now your lies are on display
You're just ordinary
So you better watch your back
Watch your back, watch it
So you better watch your back
Watch your back, watch your back
So you better watch your back
Watch your back, watch your back
So you better watch your back
Only demons in your head
They're just ordinary
All the Angles at your bed
They're just ordinary
All the roses at your grave
WIll just die and fade away
Now your lies are on display
You're just ordinary
A violent fate
A rebel state, ordinary
You're ordinary and you don't scare me
You're ordinary
The song Dead Friends by Ill Niño is a call to action against the corrupt system that governs the world. The chorus questions the idea of who your real friends are and who you can truly rely on; it challenges the idea of “dead friends” being the ones who don’t have your back when things get tough. The lyrics suggest that people are being deceived and the world is not what it seems – the vatos lives are being messed up, the truth is being hidden from the people, and the youth is being oppressed. Ill Niño uses the Mexican term “peligro” to signify the danger that one’s supposedly trustworthy friend poses. They are selling you all the hype to keep the truth hidden, making the mothers cry, and causing the youth to suffer as planned. The song highlights the need for a rebellious spirit and the call for a violent fate and a rebel state.
The song has an amped up sound, with a strong bass, heavy guitar riffs, and intense percussion. It sends a message of defiance and the need for change. The first and second verses use imagery to explain the manipulation and oppression of people by the corrupt system, and the bridge emphasizes the idea that those who are responsible for the system that is causing all the suffering are just like ordinary people, with no special powers. The chorus emphasizes the fact that people need to watch their backs and not be fooled by false friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Who is your best friend?
Who is the person you rely on and trust the most?
The only one you need, the only one you get
This person is the only one you have in your life to rely on and trust.
We come loaded, packing bullets
We are ready and prepared for any situation that may arise.
Watch your back cause this is not what you think
Be careful and cautious because things may not be as they seem.
Not what you think
This situation is not what it appears to be at first glance.
Cause they're fucking with vatos lives
They are playing with the lives of Latino men.
Who can't tell the truth to the fucking man
These men are unable to be honest with the oppressors.
And they're raping from our tribes
They are taking advantage and exploiting indigenous communities.
To oppress the youth like they always planned
Their goal is to control and suppress the younger generations.
It's the calling for an armor plate
This situation requires protection and defense.
A violent fate
The outcome will be brutal and aggressive.
A rebel state
We are fighting back against the oppressors.
Only demons in your head
Your fears and worries are all in your mind.
They're just ordinary
These demons are not as scary as they seem.
All the Angles at your bed
The angels that protect you while you sleep.
All the roses at your grave
The flowers that adorn your grave after death.
Will just die and fade away
Everything fades away and dies eventually.
Now your lies are on display
Your falsehoods and deceptions are now exposed to the world.
You're just ordinary
You are nothing special or particularly intimidating.
Who are your dead friends?
Who are the people you have lost that you were close to?
Hay peligro, es mi amigo, es el gringo
Danger is my friend, the white man.
But he's not what you think
This person is not what you expect them to be.
Cause they're selling you all the hype
They are trying to convince you of something that is not true.
To keep all the truth in their nazi klan
They are hiding the truth within their group of extremists.
And they're making our mothers cry
They are causing grief and pain for our families and loved ones.
So you better watch your back
Be vigilant and aware of potential danger.
You're ordinary
You are not special or intimidating.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Ahrue Ilustre, Christian Machado, David Chavarri, Lazaro Pina, Raul Verduzco
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind