Wretches And Kings
Linkin Park [WikiSeda] Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a time, when the operation of the machine becomes so odious
Makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part
You can't even passively take part
And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels
Upon the levers, upon all the apparatus
And you've got to make it stop

To save face, how low can you go?
Talk a lotta game, but yet you don't know
Static on the wind, makes us all say whoa
The people up top push the people down low
Get down, and obey every word
Steady, get in line if you haven't yet heard
Wanna take what I got, don't be absurd
Don't fight the power, nobody gets hurt
If you haven't heard yet, then I'm lettin' you know
There ain't shit we don't run when the guns unload
And no one make a move, unless my people say so
Got everything outta control, now everybody go

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

Feel alone, final blow
We, the animals, take control
Hear us now, clear and tall
Wretches and kings, we come for you

So keep face, how slow can you go?
Talk a lotta shit, and yet you don't know
Fire on the wind, makes you all say whoa
The people up top and the people down low
Get down, and I'm runnin' it like that
The front of the attack is exactly where I'm at
Somewhere in between the kick and the hi-hat
The pen and the contract, the pitch and the contact
So get with the combat, I'm lettin' them know
There ain't shit you can say to make me back down, no
So push the button, let the whole thing blow
Spinning everything outta control, now everybody go

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

Feel alone, final blow
We, the animals, take control
Hear us now, clear and tall
Wretches and kings, we come for you
Still alone, fight our blow
Filthy animals beat down low
Steel and bone, black and blue
Run at the sunshine, we come for you

From the front to the back and to side to side
If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
Front to the back and the side to side
If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
Front to the back and the side to side
If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
Front to the back and the side to side
If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
Front to the back and the side to side
If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
Front to the back and the side to side
If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high

When the operation of the machine becomes so odious
Makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part
You can't even passively take part
And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels
Upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop
And you've got to indicate to the people, run in to the people on it
And unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all





Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

Overall Meaning

The song "Wretches And Kings" by Linkin Park feat. Hollywood Undead is a call to action for people to stand up against oppressive systems and those in power. The lyrics allude to a speech by Mario Savio, a civil rights activist, where he spoke about the need to rebel against the machine that dehumanizes people. The lines "And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels" and "And you've got to make it stop" reflect his ideas. The phrase "wretches and kings" refers to the people who are oppressed and those in power, respectively. The song also emphasizes the importance of unity and taking control of one's own destiny, as seen in the lines "We, the animals, take control" and "Run at the sunshine, we come for you."


Line by Line Meaning

There's a time, when the operation of the machine becomes so odious
There are moments when the function of a system becomes unbearable


Makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part
It invokes such disgust that you cannot participate


You can't even passively take part
Even being silent is not an option


And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels
You have to physically stop the machine, by blocking its parts


Upon the levers, upon all the apparatus
Including the controls, and everything related to the machinery


And you've got to make it stop
You have to bring it to a complete halt


To save face, how low can you go?
How much pride are you willing to sacrifice?


Talk a lotta game, but yet you don't know
You make a lot of noise, but still lack knowledge


Static on the wind, makes us all say whoa
Disruptions in the environment catch all of our attention


The people up top push the people down low
Those in power oppress the less fortunate


Get down, and obey every word
Submit to authority and follow blindly


Steady, get in line if you haven't yet heard
If you don't know what to do, just follow the crowd


Wanna take what I got, don't be absurd
If you want what I have, you are foolish


Don't fight the power, nobody gets hurt
Resistance against authority leads to consequences for everyone


If you haven't heard yet, then I'm lettin' you know
Informing the uninformed


There ain't shit we don't run when the guns unload
We have control of everything when weapons are used


And no one make a move, unless my people say so
No one should act without the approval of the leader


Got everything outta control, now everybody go
We are in charge, and everything is chaotic


Feel alone, final blow
Suffocating in isolation, with no other options


We, the animals, take control
The oppressed take power and dominate


Hear us now, clear and tall
Our voices are loud and precise


Wretches and kings, we come for you
Referring to both the oppressed and the oppressors


So keep face, how slow can you go?
How much are you willing to hold on to your reputation, even if it's at a slow pace?


Talk a lotta shit, and yet you don't know
Speaking grandly, without having a clear understanding


Fire on the wind, makes you all say whoa
An unexpected danger, surprises everyone


Get down, and I'm runnin' it like that
Be submissive to my leadership style


The front of the attack is exactly where I'm at
I am always at the forefront of the offensive


Somewhere in between the kick and the hi-hat
Referring to music, finding a balance in the rhythm


The pen and the contract, the pitch and the contact
Combining the creative arts with business agreements


So get with the combat, I'm lettin' them know
Join me in the battle, follow my commands


There ain't shit you can say to make me back down, no
Impossible to intimidate or scare away easily


So push the button, let the whole thing blow
Take drastic action, and let everything collapse


Spinning everything outta control, now everybody go
With the plan in motion, everything is now a frenzy


Filthy animals beat down low
The oppressed are viewed as less than human


Steel and bone, black and blue
Referring to the severity of the abuse on the oppressed


Run at the sunshine, we come for you
Referring to a brighter future ahead, they will take control


From the front to the back and to side to side
Overwhelming control spanning in all directions


If you feel what I feel, put 'em up real high
If you agree with my perspective, show it emphatically


When the operation of the machine becomes so odious
Reiterating the opening sentiment


Makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part
Continuing that being passive is not an option


You can't even passively take part
Finalizing the notion that inaction is not acceptable


And you've got to indicate to the people, run in to the people on it
Highlighting the need for collective action to achieve change


And unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all
In order to stop oppression, everyone must fight for their freedom




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRAD DELSON, CHESTER CHARLES BENNINGTON, DAVE FARRELL, JOSEPH HAHN, MIKE SHINODA, ROBERT G. BOURDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@tygrstryke3492

Honestly, the speech they sample in the song is amazing, and it’s put to good use in the song. And for those curious it’s a speech by Mario Savio from December 1964.

@fumikonakamura2926

Thank you, I was looking for this comment!!!

@laurenmcnichols1511

I was just about to Google who was speaking

@ajaySharma-zy5xg

the hidden treasure of linkin park wretches and kings this song deserves a billion views

@rhinoujakey8887

Not only this underrated song...

@Sivarajansam931

yes exactly

@demian1784

no, siendo sinceros esta canción no está a la altura de la banda, es de los pocos bajos que tiene Linkin Park

@The-Athenian

Loving the bass on this one. Great workout song too.

@tristanfredell9712

Hell yeah it is

@Dayz3O6

Mr. Hahn going crazy at the end!

More Comments

More Versions