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.

We Have Joy
Killing Joke Lyrics

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Idle toying, worship the whore,
Forbidden was bidden,
kiss turned to gnaw
Indolent minds, broken rules
The grey land is falling,
Laugh at the fools
We have Joy - We have Joy!

We was drunk, intoxicate
No time for doubt, no time, no late
I saw the laughing one - this was the West
he said "take your spear and puncture the flesh"
We have Joy! - We have Joy!

We was drunk, intoxicate
No time for doubt, no time, no late
Brandish the weapon, Sound out the din

We feeling red now - time to move in
We have Joy - We have Joy!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to We Have Joy may seem cryptic and difficult to understand at first glance, but upon closer inspection we can see the exploration of themes surrounding societal rebellion, chaos and liberation. The lines “Idle toying, worship the whore, Forbidden was bidden, kiss turned to gnaw” sets the scene for a society that has been corrupted by wickedness and excess. The next two lines, “Indolent minds, broken rules, The grey land is falling, Laugh at the fools” tell us that despite the social decline, there are still some individuals who find a way to mock and ridicule the decadent behaviors of those around them.

The refrain, “We have Joy - We have Joy!” can be taken as an ironic statement. The characters in the song are taking pleasure in their destructive behavior even though it’s causing pain and chaos around them. They are reveling in their rebellion and the feeling of liberation they get from defying societal rules. The line “Brandish the weapon, Sound out the din We feeling red now, time to move in,” can be interpreted as a call to action, a signal to take up arms and fight to reclaim the society they have lost.

Overall, the song seems to be a combination of incendiary lyrics and intense, driving music. The lyrics paint a picture of a society in decline, while the music conveys a sense of energy and urgency, seemingly urging the listener to take action against the injustices presented. The repeated lines of “We have Joy - We have Joy!” can be seen as an attempt to make light of the situation, despite the gravity of the social problems being addressed in the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Idle toying, worship the whore,
Pointing out the aimless distractions and veneration given to shallow pursuits.

Forbidden was bidden, kiss turned to gnaw
Mentioning the nature of fetishes and the lack of control over one's impulses and desires.

Indolent minds, broken rules
Highlighting the consequences of idleness and the chaos that ensues from disregarding established guidelines.

The grey land is falling, Laugh at the fools
Emphasizing the inevitable downfall of a civilization that ignores the signs of its decline and ridicules anyone who offers solutions.

We have Joy - We have Joy!
Expressing a sarcastic, almost bitter tone by suggesting that despite all the preceding issues, there is still false happiness and contentment in society.

We was drunk, intoxicate
Admitting to the influence of inebriation and implying an escape from reality.

No time for doubt, no time, no late
Asserting the importance of immediacy and impulsivity over prudent decision-making.

I saw the laughing one - this was the West
Alluding to the Joker character from Batman comics, who embodies a philosophy of chaos and the rejection of order in society.

he said "take your spear and puncture the flesh"
Urging the listener to adopt a nihilistic and violent approach to life, symbolized here by the image of piercing the skin.

Brandish the weapon, Sound out the din
Reiterating the call for aggression and chaos, as well as a sense of empowerment in wielding a dangerous implement.

We feeling red now - time to move in
Noting the escalation of violence and the affirmation of the impulse to act on violent tendencies.

We have Joy - We have Joy!
Repeating the sarcastic refrain, now with a darker, more ominous tone that implies the joy is derived from causing chaos and destruction.

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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