War Machine
Gene Simmons: "'War Machine' started off, strangely enough, on a cheap mini… Read Full Bio ↴Gene Simmons: "'War Machine' started off, strangely enough, on a cheap miniature synthesizer. I had been recording demos at home on a small four-track recording facility and wanted to do some different kinds of things. I had bought the synthesizer just to add a layer of sound in the back of something, in back of a guitar. But while fiddling with it, I fell on the 'War Machine' riff. The original 'War Machine' was a song almost purely based around the riff. The riff never stopped and the vocals continued over the guitar figure. Michael James Jackson suggested bringing in a co-writer who would help with the lyrics. He suggested a brand new writer, who was an up-and-coming recording artist himself, named Bryan Adams, and his co-writing partner, Jim Vallance. Vallance, Adams and I would co-write 'War Machine' and 'Rock and Roll Hell,' both of which appeared on Creatures Of The Night. Adams and Vallance added some choral passages and the basic lyrical content, including the title, 'War Machine'."

War Machine
Kiss Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wanna bite the hand that feeds me, wanna turn the tides
Set the demons free and watch 'em fly
Strike down the one who leads me, I'm gonna take his place
Gonna vindicate the human race
Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
Take the reins of power and seize them,
draw the battle lines
Armageddon's just a matter of time
Tear down the voice of reason, let the arrows fly
Your freedom's just a state of mind, yeah

Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
You better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
You better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
You better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine





Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
I'm a war machine, I'm a war machine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kiss's War Machine express a desire to overthrow the status quo and take control by force. The singer wants to bite the hand that feeds them, which likely refers to authority figures or those in power who they feel are controlling their life. They want to turn the tides, set the demons free, and watch them fly. This suggests a destructive desire to release chaos and anarchy in the world.


The singer wants to strike down the one who leads them and take his place, implying a desire for power and control. They want to vindicate the human race, which suggests that they see themselves as a savior figure, someone who can right the wrongs of the world and make things better.


The chorus repeats the message that the singer is a war machine, warning others to watch out. The imagery of a war machine is violent and aggressive, suggesting that the singer is willing to resort to extreme measures to achieve their goals. The lyrics of the song suggest a sense of dissatisfaction with the world and a desire to take control by any means necessary.


Line by Line Meaning

Want to bite the hand that feeds me, want to turn the tides
I want to rebel against those who control me and change the current circumstances.


Set the demons free and watch 'em fly
I want to release my inner demons and see the havoc they can cause.


Strike down the one who leads me, I'm gonna take his place
I want to overthrow those in power and become the new leader.


Gonna vindicate the human race
I believe my actions will be justified in the eyes of humanity.


Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
I am a force to be reckoned with and can cause destruction on a large scale.


Take the reins of power and seize them, draw the battle lines
I want to take control and prepare for a fight.


Armageddon's just a matter of time
I believe a major conflict or catastrophe is inevitable.


Tear down the voice of reason, let the arrows fly
I want to eliminate those who oppose or criticize my plans.


Your freedom's just a state of mind, yeah
I don't believe true freedom exists and that it is only a mental state.


I'm a war machine, I'm a war machine
I am a destructive force, fully prepared for battle.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kiss Forever Band

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@2866seba

Wanna bite the hand that feeds me
Wanna turn the tides
Set the demons free and watch 'em fly
Strike down the one who leads me
I'm gonna take his place
Gonna vindicate the human race

Better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine
Better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine, yeah

Take the reins of power and seize them
Draw the battle lines
Armageddon's just a matter of time
Tear down the voice of reason
Let the arrows fly
Your freedom's just a state of mind, yeah

Better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine
You better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine

You better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine
You better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine

Better watch out
'Cause I'm a war machine
I'm a war machine
I'm a war machine



All comments from YouTube:

@angryagain3801

Eric Carr's drumming really takes this song over the top. Absolutely one of the best KISS songs of all time.

@user-ww8il3td1u

I remember seeing it live with the army tank that rotated. Was awesome!

@mrimperial6726

Agreed!

@MikeysMorgue

I thought I was losing my mind at first when their eyes were blinking! 👀😆😂

@kissfox5

Right??!!! I've got a feeling the Bluray animation will be like this.

@mikefromohio6489

Me2 lol

@Magsmarie

I thought I was going crazy too!!

@danielbeo9050

I like This jacket, very good.. And i love kiss !!

@justinalexander5288

Too high for this shit lol

54 More Replies...

@johnpickrel7108

This song sounds great in concert!

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