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.
Loose Cannon
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reprogrammed
This is the way
Unload
This is the way
Play my drum
This is the stick
Download
Take orders
This is the life
Don't comply
This is the end of nations' borders
These are the fears I'm trying to hide
I'm a loose cannon
This is the day the sky turned green
This is the day I saw in my dream
These are the fears I'm trying to hide
These are the tears trapped inside
I'm an urban animal
Still a primitive man
I'm an urban animal
One step from a cannibal
I'm a loose cannon
I'm an urban animal
Still a primitive man
I'm an urban animal
One step from a cannibal
I'm a loose cannon
The lyrics of Killing Joke's song "Loose Cannon" express a sense of rebellion and resistance against conformity and authority. The song features the repeated phrase "This is the way" which can be interpreted as the way that society wants individuals to behave and conform to. The singer then responds with actions that are the opposite of society's expectations. For example, "Unload" instead of "Load," "Don't comply" instead of "Take orders," and "Play my drum" instead of "March in line." The singer is rejecting the status quo and asserting their individuality, even if it means being perceived as a "loose cannon" or outsider.
The second verse of the song introduces a dream-like state that reflects the fears and tears that the singer is trying to hide. The green sky and the primitive man imagery suggest a dystopian setting, where the singer is struggling to navigate through the chaos and maintain their humanity. The repeated "I'm an urban animal / One step from a cannibal" emphasizes this struggle and highlights the primal instincts that lie within us all. The singer is acknowledging the thin line between being a civilized member of society and succumbing to our natural, animalistic urges.
Overall, Killing Joke's "Loose Cannon" conveys a message about the potential dangers of conformity and the importance of individuality, even if it means going against the norms of society.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the way
My mind has been reprogrammed to follow a specific path
Reprogrammed
My thoughts and actions are no longer my own
Unload
I need to release pent up emotions and frustrations
Play my drum
I need to express myself and make some noise
This is the stick
I have a tool, a weapon, to be used against those who try to control me
Download
I have absorbed the commands of those in power
This is the day
A significant event has occurred in my life
Take orders
I am expected to follow the directives given to me
This is the life
My existence is shaped by the expectations of those in control
Don't comply
I need to resist the pressure to conform
This is the end of nations' borders
The boundaries that separate us are collapsing and we must face this reality
These are the fears I'm trying to hide
I have deep anxieties that I conceal from others
I'm a loose cannon
I am unpredictable and could cause chaos at any moment
This is the day the sky turned green
A catastrophic event changed the world as we know it
This is the day I saw in my dream
I had a premonition of the future
These are the tears trapped inside
I am holding back emotions that I cannot express
I'm an urban animal
I have adapted to city life, but still have primal, animalistic urges
Still a primitive man
Despite all our technological advancements, we are still fundamentally primal beings
One step from a cannibal
We are never far from reverting to our most basic instincts and impulses
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: WALKER KEVIN, ANDREW JAMES DALRYMPLE GILL, JEREMY COLEMAN, MARTIN GLOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Swan Mob
This is the way
Reprogrammed
This is the way
Unload
This is the way
Play my drum
This is the stick
Download
This is the day
Take orders
This is the life
Don't comply
This is the end of nations' borders
These are the fears I'm trying to hide
I'm a loose cannon
This is the day the sky turned green
This is the day I saw in my dream
These are the fears I'm trying to hide
These are the tears trapped inside
I'm an urban animal
Still a primitive man
I'm an urban animal
One step from a cannibal
I'm a loose cannon
I'm an urban animal
Still a primitive man
I'm an urban animal
One step from a cannibal
I'm a loose cannon
Frontman Video
I love this song! I was so happy when this album came out, with Dave Grohl giving it his classic Killing Joke treatment. I love the production and songs. It's one of my favorite KJ albums. I'm glad Big Paul is back drumming with them of course, but I love how Dave Grohl, being a KJ fan himself, gave the drumming a classic KJ feel.
Moocyfarus
So happy this album opened my eyes to what's happening in the world 20 years ago
Friendly Hippopotamus
PLEASE issue this album on vinyl. It really, really needs to happen. It's second favourite Killing Joke record!
creekandseminole
It did release on vinyl. Back in January 2019 on the Music On Vinyl label. It's a fantastic release.
Ralphjr Meza
@DavilRulez b-zzzzzzF
DavilRulez
This on vinyl would be pretty sweet agreed... Hope it happens someday.
First World Appetite
I can't find this album, Pandemonium and Democracy anywhere on CD man.
Samuel Xavier
Still an epic song. Still an epic band.
roy dong
such a great song. underrated by everyone. reminds me a bit of early 90s trip hop
Corporal. Davis
one of best songs from them!