MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone magazine and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams. Their initial run was short-lived, though. In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the band came to an end. Often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of that era, their three albums are regarded by many as classics.
Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46. Smith also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 45. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in February 2012 at the age of 68.
In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks. In 2023, Kramer announced that the album would be released in the spring of 2024. Kramer died in February 2024, leaving Thompson as the only surviving original member of the band.
Motor City Is Burning
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There ain't a thing in the world they can do
Ya know, the Motor City is burning people
There ain't a thing that white society can do
Ma home town burning down to the ground
Worser than Vietnam
It started on 12th Clair Mount that morning
It made the, the pig cops all jump and shout
I said, it started on 12th Clair Mount that morning
It made the, the pigs in the street go freak out
The fire wagons kept comin', baby
But the Black Panther Snipers wouldn't let them put it out
Wouldn't let them put it out, wouldn't let them put it out
Get it on
Well, there were fire bombs bursting all around the people
Ya know there was soldiers standing everywhere
I said there was fire bombs bursting all around me, baby
Ya know there was National Guard everywhere
I can hear my people screaming
Sirens fill the air, fill the air, fill the air
Your mama, papa don't know what the trouble is
You see, they don't know what it's all about
I said, your mama, papa don't know what the trouble is, baby
They just can't see what it's all about
I get the news, read the newspapers, baby, baby?
You just get out there in the street and check it out
I said, the Motor City is burning, people
I ain't hanging 'round to fight it out
I said, the Motor City is burning, people
Just not hang around to fight it out
Well, I'm taking my wife and my people and they're on TV
Well, just before I go, baby, [Incomprehensible]
Fireman's on the street, people all around
Now, I guess it's true
I'd just like to strike a match for freedom myself
I may be a white boy, but I can be bad, too
Yes, it's true now, yes, it's true now
Yes
Let it all burn, let it all burn, let it all burn
MC5's song "Motor City Is Burning" is a powerful protest song about the 1967 Detroit riots. The song highlights the unrest and the state of emergency created in Detroit during one of the most violent periods in its history. The lyrics convey deep emotions of both anger and frustration with the social and racial tensions that led to the riots. The song can also be seen as a call to revolution, as it expresses how the people of Detroit were willing to fight against a system that was oppressing them.
The lyrics of the song describe the chaos and destruction that the riots had caused in Detroit. The opening lines, "Ya know, the Motor City is burning, babe, There ain't a thing in the world they can do," highlights the devastation that was taking place in Detroit. The lines, "Ma hometown burning down to the ground, Worser than Vietnam," further conveys the extent of the destruction taking place in the city. The lyrics suggest that the people of Detroit felt left behind, ignored and oppressed by society.
The song also references the racial tensions that were at the heart of the riots. The lyrics, "Your mama, papa don't know what the trouble is, You see, they don't know what it's all about," suggest a lack of understanding and empathy from the white community towards the social and racial issues being faced by the African American community in Detroit. The song's title also plays on the nickname for Detroit, the "Motor City," which is ironic given the destruction caused in the riots. Overall, the song speaks to the frustration and anger felt by the people of Detroit during a period of immense social upheaval and tension.
Line by Line Meaning
Ya know, the Motor City is burning, babe
The city of Detroit is experiencing a major fire incident.
There ain't a thing in the world they can do
Nothing anyone can do to stop the fire.
Ya know, the Motor City is burning people
The people of Detroit are affected by the fire.
There ain't a thing that white society can do
The fire's impact is beyond what white society can handle.
Ma home town burning down to the ground
The songwriter's hometown, Detroit, is being destroyed.
Worser than Vietnam
The destruction is more severe than the Vietnam War.
It started on 12th Clair Mount that morning
The fire likely began in the Clair Mount neighborhood.
It made the, the pig cops all jump and shout
The police officers reacted to the fire in a panic.
The fire wagons kept comin', baby
Fire trucks arrived at the scene.
But the Black Panther Snipers wouldn't let them put it out
The Black Panther organization hindered firefighters from extinguishing the fire.
Wouldn't let them put it out, wouldn't let them put it out
The Black Panther organization remained adamant about not letting firefighters put out the fire.
Well, there were fire bombs bursting all around the people
Explosives ignited and detonated in close proximity to people involved in the incident.
Ya know there was soldiers standing everywhere
National Guard troops were deployed throughout the city to assist during the emergency.
I can hear my people screaming
The songwriter can hear the distress and panic of the affected people.
Sirens fill the air, fill the air, fill the air
Sounds of emergency sirens could be heard throughout the City of Detroit.
Your mama, papa don't know what the trouble is
The songwriter suggests that the older generation may not understand the situation.
You see, they don't know what it's all about
It is difficult for some individuals to grasp the nature and reality of the situation.
I get the news, read the newspapers, baby, baby?
The songwriter keeps up to date with the news about the fire.
You just get out there in the street and check it out
Experience and witness the reality of the situation for oneself by going to the affected area.
I ain't hanging 'round to fight it out
The songwriter will not get involved in the conflict and chooses to leave.
Just not hang around to fight it out
The songwriter wants no part in the fight or conflict.
Now, I guess it's true
The songwriter accepts or acknowledges something as true.
I'd just like to strike a match for freedom myself
The songwriter would like to start or initiate a fight for freedom.
I may be a white boy, but I can be bad, too
The songwriter feels empowered and suggests that even he, as a white male, can become involved in the conflict.
Let it all burn, let it all burn, let it all burn
Accepting the inevitable destruction of the city and everything connected to it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Albert B Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Hurley
on The Pledge Song
Found this outfit called "Sonic Hits" for free streaming.
Pretty impressed with the depth of their catalog and none of those serenity busting ads.