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.
The Hum
Killing Joke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A blindfold dance and a 1,2,3
No mistake where they always emphasize security
Draw the curtains, shut the door, the heater's on
I couldn't ask for more
I pull the sheets right overhead
Snuggle, snuggle safe in bed
Misery claims much too late
Bow the head or grip the sabre
Vermichten regenerate
Bright eyed young inherit all
treading down upon the fallen
They was drawn towards the Hum
Plenty more where they come from.
Slowly, slowly all fall down
A blindfold dance and a 1,2,3
Swarm upset the gentle lamb
A hive don't hold no humble bee!
Slowly, slowly, out it came,
Tendencies that weren't the same
And they were drawn towards the Hum
Plenty more where We come from.
The lyrics to Killing Joke's song "Hum" seem to be a commentary on society's tendency towards conformity and blind acceptance of authority, particularly when it comes to matters of security. The lines "No mistake where they always emphasize security/Draw the curtains, shut the door, the heater's on/I couldn't ask for more" suggest a willingness to sacrifice freedom and independent thought for the sake of perceived safety. The repetition of "slowly, slowly all fall down" highlights the eventual consequences of this mindset, with individuals losing their autonomy and individuality.
The second half of the song introduces the idea of a "Hum" that draws people in and leads them towards conformity. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for societal pressures or propaganda, with the lines "Bright eyed young inherit all/treading down upon the fallen" suggesting that the next generation inherits this mindset and perpetuates it. However, the final line "Plenty more where they come from" also implies that there is a constant influx of individuals being indoctrinated into these beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Slowly, slowly all fall down
Everything is gradually collapsing and failing.
A blindfold dance and a 1,2,3
People move through life blindly, going through the motions without really seeing or understanding what's happening.
No mistake where they always emphasize security
Those in power push the idea of security to control and manipulate the masses.
Draw the curtains, shut the door, the heater's on
People retreat into their own little worlds, shutting out the outside and attempting to find comfort in their own lives.
I couldn't ask for more
Despite everything, someone is content with what they have.
I pull the sheets right overhead
Someone is trying to hide from the world and escape reality.
Snuggle, snuggle safe in bed
By hiding in bed, someone feels safe and protected.
Take the wight right off my shoulder
The weight of the world is heavy on someone's shoulders and they want it gone.
Misery claims much too late
It's easy to get caught up in misery and despair, but it's often too late before we realize we're in over our heads.
Bow the head or grip the sabre
In the face of struggle or danger, someone must either submit or fight back with force.
Vermichten regenerate
Those in power will continue to rebuild and regenerate, even if what they're doing is destructive or harmful.
Bright eyed young inherit all
The young generation inherits the world that the older generation has created, whether that world is good or bad.
Treading down upon the fallen
The powerful and the successful often step on others to achieve their goals, leaving those who have fallen behind in the dust.
They were drawn towards the Hum
People are drawn towards conformity and the monotony of life, even if it's not what's best for them.
Plenty more where they come from.
There are always more people who will fall in line and conform to societal norms, perpetuating the cycle of conformity.
Swarm upset the gentle lamb
A group mentality can overwhelm and take advantage of the weak or vulnerable.
A hive don't hold no humble bee!
Conformity and collectivism doesn't allow for individuality or creativity.
Slowly, slowly, out it came,
Something is slowly becoming clearer or more apparent.
Tendencies that weren't the same
Someone is developing tendencies that are outside of the norm or expected behaviors.
And they were drawn towards the Hum
Despite these changes, someone is still drawn towards the monotony and conformity of everyday life.
Plenty more where We come from.
There are others out there who are also feeling the desire to break free from conformity and societal expectations.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NebulusLabyrinth79
Slowly, slowly all fall down
A blindfold dance and a 1,2,3
No mistake where they always emphasize security
Draw the curtains, shut the door, the heater's on
I couldn't ask for more
I pull the sheets right overhead
Snuggle, snuggle safe in bed
Take the weight right off my shoulder
Misery claims much too late
Bow the head or grip the sabre
Vernichten regenerate
Bright eyed young inherit all
Treading down upon the fallen
They was drawn towards the Hum
Plenty more where they come from
Slowly, slowly all fall down
A blindfold dance and a 1,2,3
Swarm upset the gentle lamb
A hive don't hold no humble bee!
Slowly, slowly, out it came
Tendencies that weren't the same
And they were drawn towards the Hum
Plenty more where We come from
TZT
40 years listening to these guys and they never get old. Geordie's sound is beyond unique.
Stephan Venner
Geordies Guitar sound is so unique. One of the best and underrated Players not only in the Punk/Underground Music. Phenomenal!
Baron Saturday
Yeah, absolutely!
Christopher West
Definitely.
itkojecockot
when the first wave of punk started fading away, these guys along with PiL, Joy Division and The Chameleons truly pumped some fresh blood into the genre......
M.D. Jonas
These guys were revolutionary. NO ONE else sounds like them. KJ is quickly becoming one of my favorite bands with each subsequent listen.
Jermaine Guillory
One word to describe Killing Joke.... Legendary! π¬π§
Reptilian Space Orgy
England has produced some of the best and unique artists to date I feel
Richard Burns
conny plank should not be overlooked for his production on this album. awesome sound!!
Reptilian Space Orgy
This album is so damn badass. I canβt get enough of em.