Portraying a rowdy night out in their native Leeds with members from the former band Blackwire, "I Predict a Riot" is possibly the group's best-known song, as well as being their signature hit. It is one of the three tracks the band played when they opened Live 8 in Philadelphia, alongside "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" and "Oh My God". The song makes a reference to John Smeaton ("an old Leodiensian"), an architect, born in Austhorpe, Leeds after whom the school house of Ricky Wilson was named, as well as the East Leeds school; John Smeaton Community High School. Both "I Predict a Riot" and "Sink that Ship" were featured on the soundtrack to the video game Gran Turismo 4. "I Predict a Riot" appeared in Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock as downloadable content alongside present from the start, "Ruby". It has also been confirmed for released for Rock Band. "Take My Temperature", a B-side on the initial release, is a live favourite, notably at earlier gigs. Also, the guitar riff after "who doesn't want to be out there" is overdubbed with Hammond organ, played by Peanut. In live performances, the song begins with a drum solo played by Nick and Ricky around the same kit. This song is heard at Madison Square Garden when the New York Rangers are losing the hockey game.
McFly and Bedouin Soundclash have also covered the song; more unusual cover versions have included a choral version from The Cheshire Chord all female choir and a salsa version (Predigo un alboroto) from The Swanvesta Social Club. The song was also covered by Girls Aloud on their 2006 Chemistry arena tour. They changed the lyric "borrow a pound for a condom" to "borrow a pound for the bus home", which the band appeared to take offence to. Furthermore, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band covered the song. In 2006, New Zealand radio broadcaster "The Joint" mixed excerpts from financial analysts Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert's radio programs to produce a version of the song reflecting the trillions of dollars of derivatives in the shadow banking system which they correctly predicted would cause a financial meltdown.
It is also played in the Game Gran Turismo 4 However, the timorous tone of the lyrics led to the group being dubbed "the weeds from Leeds"
There have been two videos produced for "I Predict a Riot". The first, made for the original releasefeatures the band performing in front of a crowded audience, who appear to start a "pillow fight".
However, it was the second video that earned more attention. The main plotline for the sepia promo features the band wandering and performing in an Edwardian town, catching the attention of a mysterious freak show owner. The climax of the features the band performing on the stage of a crowded replica of The Globe Theatre.
I Predict a Riot
Kaiser Chiefs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible either
A friend of a friend he got beaten
He looked the wrong way at a policeman
Would never have happened to Smeaton
And old Leodiensian
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I tried to get in my taxi
A man in a tracksuit attacks me
He said that he saw it before me
Wants to get things a bit gory
Girls run around with no clothes on
To borrow a pound for a condom
If it wasn't for chip fat, they'd be frozen
They're not very sensible
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
Ah ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
Watching the people get lairy
It's not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible
La ah ah, la la la la la
Ah ah ah, la la la la la
Oh, ah
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
The Kaiser Chiefs' "I Predict A Riot" is a song that paints a vivid picture of the chaos that can ensue during moments of urban unrest. The singer becomes a frustrated witness to the chaos surrounding him, as he describes the scene of people on the streets, fighting and running wild. He describes how people become violent and aggressive while fighting against the police or simply running amok. The singer recounts his own encounter with a man attacking him, and how girls are running around half-naked and begging for money to buy condoms. The chorus of the song repeats the title phrase, "I predict a riot," as if foretelling the violent episode that is about to unfold.
Despite the provocative and controversial nature of the song, the Kaiser Chiefs wrote "I Predict A Riot" as a humorous take on the chaos that surrounds them in their hometown of Leeds, England. The song's deeper meaning lies in its commentary on the bleak social and economic conditions of the time, as people were struggling with financial difficulties and political disenfranchisement. It is a protest song that speaks to the universal struggle of the working class.
The song itself is an energetic and lively punk-rock anthem that captures the frenzied mood of the moment. With its pounding drums and upbeat guitar riffs, the song perfectly captures the chaotic atmosphere of the city during moments of unrest. The repetition of the chorus makes it a catchy and memorable tune, while the lyrics create a lasting impression of the dangers and excitement that come with living in a city.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the people get lairy
Observing the people getting drunk and disorderly
It's not very pretty I tell thee
It is not a pleasant sight
Walking through town is quite scary
Walking around the town is frightening
And not very sensible either
It is not a wise thing to do
A friend of a friend he got beaten
Someone's acquaintance was assaulted
He looked the wrong way at a policeman
He made eye contact with the police officer in a wrong way
Would never have happened to Smeaton
It would never have occurred in the area where Smeaton resides
And old Leodiensian
A person from a former Rugby team named Old Leodiensian
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
The artist is anticipating a public disturbance
I tried to get in my taxi
The artist attempted to enter a cab
A man in a tracksuit attacks me
A man wearing a tracksuit assaults the singer
He said that he saw it before me
The attacker claims to have seen the opportunity before the artist
Wants to get things a bit gory
The attacker intends to be violent
Girls run around with no clothes on
Females are running without garments
To borrow a pound for a condom
Asking for a pound to buy a condom
If it wasn't for chip fat, they'd be frozen
Without the grease from the chip, they would be cold
They're not very sensible
They are not wise
And if there's anybody left in here
If there is anyone remaining here
That doesn't want to be out there
Who does not wish to go outside
Oh, ah
A vocalization
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
The artist repeats their prediction of a public disturbance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Andrew Robert White, Charles Richard Wilson, James Rix, Nicholas Baines, Nicholas Hodgson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stopfemotion
Watching the people get lairy
Is not very pretty I tell thee
Walking through town is quite scary
And not very sensible either
A friend of a friend he got beaten
He looked the wrong way at a policeman
Would never have happened to Smeaton
And old Leodiensian
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I tried to get in my taxi
A man in a tracksuit attacked me
He said that he saw it before me
Wants to get things a bit gory
Girls run around with no clothes on
To borrow a pound for a condom
If it wasn't for chip fat, well they'd be frozen
They're not very sensible
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
I predict a riot, I predict a riot
And if there's anybody left in here
That doesn't want to be out there
@ResevoirGod
The 00's has to be the most underrated decade for music ever in all honesty. Especially the UK. So many good indie bands in their prime
@JaxDagger
+G_Morto urghhhh kinda, it was actually all very generic and plagurised to be fair, but the odd good song shone through thats for sure, look up futureheads
@ResevoirGod
Gaming Greats You do know that the majority of music is plagiarized, right?
@ellaleason3010
Ikr, I'm a 01 kid but these guys and The Hoosiers were legit my jam when I was 8 XD . 6 years on I'm into P!ATD and other 'punk'/'emo' bands, yet I'm still here. Childhood ;n;
@sutiiiven
+Ellas Edits. If you like punk and emo, check out Nomeansno. They're an older band who helped start the whole genre of emo. They have a load of stuff on Apple Music if you have that, or YouTube of course. Check out the album Wrong :)
@ellaleason3010
+Steven Fletcher Thank you! I definitely will when I get my WiFi fixed instead of using mobile data :)
@mauthner23
I've been looking for this f***ing song for at least 5 years. Five damn years with nothing more than "Ah aaaah" from the chorus!! I can now die in peace.
@steaks652
Found it in five seconds, bet you've been in Zen all that time.
@brucefoord102
I saw them in concert when I was 50 years old... the best front man to any band live ...awesome concert.
@josecoronadonieto6911
I found it in the comment section of Mr.streamer