Killing Joke is an English post-punk group which formed in October 1978 in … Read Full Bio ↴Killing Joke is an English post-punk group which formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England. Founding members Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Geordie Walker (guitars) have been the only constant members, with Geordie having died on the 26th of November 2023 in Prague following a stroke 2 days earlier.

A key influence on industrial rock, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as well as industrial metal and "quasi-metal, dancing to a tune of doom and gloom," which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synth-pop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasizing Coleman's "savagely strident vocals."

Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Napalm Death, Amebix, Big Black, Godflesh, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Blacklist, Shihad and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.

Change
Killing Joke Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

you see
you feel
you know
react
you're waiting
you're waiting
change

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Killing Joke's song "Change" are a powerful and concise message about personal transformation. The repetition of "you see, you feel, you know" suggests an intuitive understanding of an impending change, while the command to "react" acts as a call to action. The line "you're waiting" is repeated twice, embodying a sense of anticipation or perhaps even hesitation before finally urging the listener to embrace the change that is coming.

The lyrics work perfectly with the driving, pulsating energy of the music, which builds in intensity as the song progresses. There is a sense of urgency to the vocals, which add a layer of intensity to the already charged sound. Overall, the song feels like a call to action, urging listeners to embrace transformation, even if it may be uncomfortable or uncertain.

Line by Line Meaning

you see
You observe and perceive what's going on around you.

you feel
You have emotions and personal responses to what you see and experience.

you know
You possess knowledge and understanding based on your perceptions and experiences.

react
You respond to your perceptions and experiences with action and behavior.

you're waiting
You are anticipating and hoping for change, but aren't taking proactive steps to make it happen.

you're waiting
Although you may be dissatisfied with the status quo, you're not willing to take risks or challenge the existing order.

change
A call to action to make the change you want to see happen, to take control of your own fate, and to create a better future for yourself and others.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEREMY COLEMAN, KEVIN WALKER, MARTIN GLOVER, MATTHEW FERGUSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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