Mic check
R.A.T.M. (rage against the machine) Lyrics
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Ha ha ha
Come on
Wait a Minute Now
Check
To tha young r to tha e tha b to tha e tha l
Never give up just live up
We be spittin' it up
Rippin' it up
For an even amount in each cup
To my brothers burning bare feet on black top
Whose curled 'neath tha shadows
From tha gaze of tha cops
Whose huntin' for 9 to 5's through factory locks
Is now hunted on this modern day auction block
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Check check check check the check, oh
Packin
Flexin' and mashin'
With complex text
Fast and in a fashion
That snap back necks
Quicker than a fed cash tha company checks
Come with tha fire only Marley could catch
This be tha flame in tha cellar beware
Nameless cold millions gaspin' for air
Those naked and wageless
Now scream within cages
What, they make you pull your shit
Just to get your share, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Welcome down with the warrior sound, UGH!
With this mic device
I spit nonfiction
Who got tha power
This be my question
Tha mass of tha few in this torn nation?
Tha priest tha book or tha congregation?
Tha politricks who rob and hold down your zone?
Or those who give tha thieves tha key to their homes?
Tha pig who's free to murder one Shucklak
Or survivors who make a move and murder one back?
This mic device
I spit nonfiction
Who got tha power
This be my question
Tha mass of tha few in this torn nation?
Tha priest tha book or tha congregation?
Tha politricks who rob and hold down your zone?
Or those who give tha thieves tha key to their homes?
Tha pig who's free to murder one Shucklak
Or survivors who make a move and murder one back?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
The lyrics of “Mic Check” by Rage Against the Machine revolve around the themes of resistance, revolution, power, and oppression. The opening lines "To the young r to the e tha b to tha e tha l / Never give up just live up” suggest a call to action to the youth to keep fighting and never give up hope. The band then moves on to express their anger and frustration with the world's powerful and how they oppress the poor and working-class people with lines like “Fed upon America / We be spittin' it up / Rippin' it up / For an even amount in each cup”.
The song also delves into the concept of power and who holds it, with lines like “Who got tha power / This be my question / Tha mass of tha few in this torn nation? / Tha priest tha book or tha congregation?”. The lyrics suggest that power is not always held by those who deserve it the most and that people need to question and challenge authority to bring about change.
Rage Against the Machine also takes a strong stance against police brutality and corruption, with lines such as “Whose huntin' for 9 to 5's through factory locks / Is now hunted on this modern day auction block” and “Tha pig who's free to murder one Shucklak / Or survivors who make a move and murder one back?” calling out the systemic oppression and violence against marginalized communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh wait a minute now
Pause for a moment
Ha ha ha
Sarcastic laughter
Come on
Encouragement to proceed
Wait a Minute Now
Pause for another moment
Check
Confirmation to proceed
To tha young r to tha e tha b to tha e tha l
Addressing the youth of America
Never give up just live up
Encouragement to persevere
Fed upon America
Commentary on American society
We be spittin' it up
Expressing oneself passionately
Rippin' it up
Breaking down barriers
For an even amount in each cup
Equality for all
To my brothers burning bare feet on black top
Solidarity with those struggling
Whose curled 'neath tha shadows
Hiding from oppression
From tha gaze of tha cops
Avoiding police scrutiny
Whose huntin' for 9 to 5's through factory locks
Struggling to find work
Is now hunted on this modern day auction block
Being exploited by capitalism
Mic Check, ha ha ha
Verifying the microphone is functioning properly
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Identifying oneself as a revolutionary artist
What?
Challenging the listener to respond
Check check check check the check, oh
Confirming the sound system is working
Flexin' and mashin'
Boasting about skills
With complex text
Using advanced lyrics
Fast and in a fashion
Performing with speed and style
That snap back necks
Impressing and astounding the audience
Quicker than a fed cash tha company checks
Moving faster than money transactions
Come with tha fire only Marley could catch
Bringing passion and energy
This be tha flame in tha cellar beware
Warning of impending rebellion
Nameless cold millions gaspin' for air
Describing those suffering silently
Those naked and wageless
Commenting on poverty
Now scream within cages
Expressing anger and frustration
What, they make you pull your shit
Commenting on the exploitation of workers
Just to get your share, what?
Challenging the listener to respond
Welcome down with the warrior sound, UGH!
Calling for solidarity and rebellion
With this mic device
Referring to the microphone as a powerful tool
I spit nonfiction
Rapping truth and reality
Who got tha power
Questioning who holds the real power
This be my question
Stating the question to be answered
Tha mass of tha few in this torn nation?
Commenting on the division of American society
Tha priest tha book or tha congregation?
Questioning the role of religion in society
Tha politricks who rob and hold down your zone?
Commenting on corrupt politicians
Or those who give tha thieves tha key to their homes?
Commenting on the complicity of the wealthy
Tha pig who's free to murder one Shucklak
Commenting on police brutality
Or survivors who make a move and murder one back?
Commenting on the idea of self-defense and rebellion
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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