The song features one of Tom Morello's most famous guitar riffs and a highly unusual solo that sounds more like someone raping a rubber duck than a guitar by making use of the toggle switch and rubbing his hand along the strings parallel to the neck of the guitar. It is usually cited as the most famous example of Tom Morello's extremely innovative guitar playing.
Bulls on Parade
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics
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Come wit' it now
The microphone explodes, shattering the molds
Either drop the hits like De La O or get the fuck off the commode
Wit' the sure shot, sure to make the bodies drop
Drop and don't copy yo, don't call this a co-op
Terror rains drenchin', quenchin' the thirst of the power dons
The rotten sore on the face of mother earth gets bigger
The triggers cold empty ya purse
Rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
They rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
They rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
They rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
Weapons not food, not homes, not shoes
Not need, just feed the war cannibal animal
I walk the corner to the rubble that used to be a library
Line up to the mind cemetery now
What we don't know keeps the contracts alive and movin'
They don't gotta burn the books they just remove 'em
While arms warehouses fill as quick as the cells
Rally 'round the family, pockets full of shells
Rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
They rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
They rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
They rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
Bulls on parade
Come wit' it now
Come wit' it now
Bulls on parade
Bulls on parade
Bulls on parade
Bulls on parade
Bulls on parade
The opening lines of "Come wit' it now" serve as a call to action for the listener to pay attention and to get ready for what's about to come. This is followed by a powerful statement about the intensity of the message, as "The microphone explodes, shattering the molds" implies that the message will be explosive and groundbreaking. The next few lines use a metaphor of dropping hits like De La O to either suggest the need for the audience to pay attention to the message or to leave if they are not interested.
The chorus, "Rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells," speaks of the idea of rallying people to a common cause, while the "pocket full of shells" suggests the power of weapons in their cause. The verse involving weapons not being used for necessities like food or homes but instead for war is a sharp commentary on the priorities of governments and corporations. The line "Line up to the mind cemetery now" is a poignant observation of how society has failed to prioritize knowledge and learning. The song ends with a return to the chorus and chanting of "Bulls on Parade," calling for a revolution and resistance against oppressive systems and institutions.
Line by Line Meaning
Come wit' it now
Let's get it started
The microphone explodes, shattering the molds
Our music will disrupt and challenge the norm
Either drop the hits like De La O or get the fuck off the commode
We demand skill and originality, not laziness
Wit' the sure shot, sure to make the bodies drop
Our music will bring change and possibly violence
Drop and don't copy yo, don't call this a co-op
Don't try to ride our coat-tails, this is our movement
Terror rains drenchin', quenchin' the thirst of the power dons
Those in power thrive on fear and violence
That five sided fist-a-gon
Referring to the Pentagon, symbol of American military power
The rotten sore on the face of mother earth gets bigger
We see the destruction and environmental harm caused by those in power
The triggers cold empty ya purse
The cost of war is high and the wealthy benefit while others suffer
Rally 'round the family with a pocket full of shells
We must unite and fight back against oppression, using any means necessary
Weapons not food, not homes, not shoes
We prioritize weapons and war over basic human needs
Not need, just feed the war cannibal animal
War is a beast that feeds on itself
I walk the corner to the rubble that used to be a library
We see the destruction of education and intellectualism
Line up to the mind cemetery now
People's ignorance or apathy leads to the death of free thought
What we don't know keeps the contracts alive and movin'
Governments and corporations profit from keeping information hidden
They don't gotta burn the books they just remove 'em
The powerful suppress dissent by controlling information
While arms warehouses fill as quick as the cells
The prison industrial complex and the military industrial complex are linked
Bulls on parade
We are charging forward with force and power
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Timmy Commerford, Zach De La Rocha, Tom Morello, Brad Wilk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Deego Darkwulf
The opening riff is one of those legendary riffs that will pervade until the end of time.
3cs3hs
yep, i saw audioslave play this tune in 2003 and the crowd went NUTZ!!! just got tix for the reunion, so stoked!!
Everymations
Yup
LP Jones
The first 5 seconds of it makes me want to dismantle the government
Paris Roivas
Everyone far and wide knows that riff
Jacob Qualls
Rip Chris Cornell
Oboromaru
As a kid this song made me happy just because I liked rock and rap, I had no idea what they were saying, I just thought it sounded cool. As an adult it makes me sad because I've since realized what the lyrics are and how the message is still very relevant in today's world, even 25 years later.
koffinkat666
I fell into the trap as a kid of gatekeeping music genres and making them my identity, Never venturing further to hear other styles of pure raw art! With age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes diverse understanding that cannot be attained unless through age.
Jay Burke
I am conservative and like the songs as it reconfirms my capitalist beliefs
Anna L. Vajda
Never made me "happy" aggressive maybe.