Rage Against the Machine released its eponymous debut album in 1992 to commercial and critical success, leading to a slot in the 1993 Lollapalooza festival. Their second album, Evil Empire, was released in 1996. Their third, The Battle of Los Angeles, followed in 1999, and in 2003, it was ranked number 426 on the same list. During their initial nine-year run, they became one of the most popular and influential bands in music history. They were also ranked No. 33 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
In 2000, Rage Against the Machine released the cover album Renegades and disbanded because of growing creative differences. Members formed the rock supergroup Audioslave with Chris Cornell, the former frontman of Soundgarden. The same year, Rage Against the Machine announced a reunion and performed together for the first time in seven years at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2007. Until 2011, the band continued to perform at more live venues and festivals around the world. In 2016, Morello, Commerford and Wilk formed a new band, Prophets of Rage, with B-Real, Chuck D, and DJ Lord. Rage Against the Machine were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2017 and 2018, although both bids failed. The band had a large influence on the nu metal genre which came to prominence during the second half of the 1990s. In 2003, their self-titled album was ranked number 368 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
At the start of 2024, Wilk confirmed that the group had permanently broken up.
Killing In The Name
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Are the same that burn crosses
Uh
Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
But now you do what they told ya
Well now you do what they told ya
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those who died
By wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Uh
Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
And now you do what they told ya
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge
They're the chosen whites
Come on
Uh
Yeah
Come on
Uh
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Motherfucker
Uh
The song "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine is a fierce critique of authority and police brutality. The lyrics speak to the idea that those who hold power and form part of the government or police force may be the same people who perpetuate racist and violent acts against marginalized communities. The repeated lines "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses" drives this point home, with the suggestion that those in positions of power can also be white supremacists.
The chorus "Killing in the name of" is a call to action for people to reject authority and not blindly follow orders. The line "Now you do what they told ya" is repeated to emphasize the message that people must break free from the control of those in power. Additionally, the lyrics highlight the idea that the police are not above the law and should be held accountable for their actions. The line "Those who died are justified for wearing the badge" refers to instances where police officers have used excessive force and claimed they were simply doing their job. By saying "you justify those that died by wearing the badge", the lyrics challenge this defense and argue that being a police officer does not give a person carte blanche to commit violence.
Overall, "Killing in the Name" is a powerful protest song that speaks to issues of police brutality, racism, and authority. Its repeated, aggressive lyrics reflect the anger and frustration of marginalized communities who have been fighting oppression for far too long.
Line by Line Meaning
Some of those that work forces
The people with authority and power can also be the ones who propagate hatred and discrimination.
Are the same that burn crosses
The people who are supposed to protect and serve can also be racists and be involved in hate crimes against a particular community.
Uh
An expression of frustration and anger towards the situation.
Killing in the name of
The act of killing is sometimes justified in the name of religion or politics, but it is wrong and unacceptable.
Now you do what they told ya
People under authority are expected to blindly follow orders and not question the morality or legality of their actions.
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
By obeying orders without question, people surrender their agency and identity to the authority, who can then control and manipulate them.
Those who died are justified
People who died in the line of duty or for a cause are often glorified and celebrated, but their actions and the system they supported might not necessarily align with justice.
For wearing the badge
The badge represents the authority that is often abused and corrupted by the people in power.
They're the chosen whites
The white community is often privileged and protected by the system, even when they are involved in hate crimes and injustice.
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
An expression of rebellion and resistance against the authority that tries to control and manipulate the people.
Motherfucker
An insult directed towards the authority figure that is abusing its power and hurting people.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Timothy Commerford, Thomas B. Morello, Zack M. De La Rocha, Brad J. Wilk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Martocci-smale
Lyrics
[Intro]
Killing in the name of
[Verse]
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Uh!
[Refrain]
Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
[Pre-Chorus]
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
But now you do what they told ya!
Well, now you do what they told ya
[Chorus]
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
[Verse]
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces
Are the same that burn crosses
Uh!
[Refrain]
Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
[Pre-Chorus]
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
Now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
(Now you're under control) And now you do what they told ya
[Chorus]
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
You justify those that died
By wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
Come on!
[Guitar Solo]
Ugh!
Yeah!
Come on!
Ugh!
[Outro]
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Motherfucker!
Ugh!
Justin Taylor
That photo is real. That monk burned himself alive.
Enigma Satan
Noice🔥
THATpower 11
Yep, while he was literally being charred to death he was completely calm, made absolutely no sound, just stood there, meditading, and then his heart was intact during cremation.
Timber Wolf
@Leonor Latour geez, doctrs said so.
Timber Wolf
@Leonor Latour Doctors examined him and reported it
Timber Wolf
@Egyptus Nz It means that he was in such a meditataive state that he never got scared while he was burning alive..... THAT IS HARDCORE.
Robert Adams
2019 needs this more then ever
ShiftyShifts
Hey it's 2020 and we need it more!
Keita 9
in 2020 our general movement and right to work are legit being controlled by the government, 2020 is the year of RATM
KA Walker
For real dude