Killing In The Name Of
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics


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Killing in the name of

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
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

Overall Meaning

"Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine is a powerful song that speaks against police brutality and racism. The lyrics highlight the fact that some of the people who work in law enforcement are the same individuals who promote hate and discrimination, specifically through burning crosses. This line makes a connection between the Ku Klux Klan’s vile acts of hate and those who work in positions of power within the police force. The song's title refers to the hypocrisy of those who engage in violent behavior in the name of upholding the law. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Killing in the name of," is an indictment of the use of force for political and ideological objectives.


The last part of the song's lyrics consists of a repeated phrase of "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me," basically mocking the idea of unjust authority.


Overall, the song can be seen as a call to action against systemic oppression and is seen by many as a reminder of the urgent need for collective resistance against those in power. The song encourages listeners to challenge authority and take action against injustice.


Line by Line Meaning

Some of those that work forces
Some of the people who have authoritative power


Are the same that burn crosses
Are members of the Ku Klux Klan who burn crosses as a symbol of hate and racism


Uh
Expresses disbelief and shock at the situation


Killing in the name of
The act of taking another person’s life based on a belief system


Now you do what they told ya
Submitting unquestioningly to those in power


And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control
Indicates that the person is now being oppressed and controlled by the authority


Those who died are justified
The people who lost their lives in the pursuit of justice


For wearing the badge
Refers to the police badge, symbol of authority


They're the chosen whites
Denotes the Caucasian race as always being privileged by the law


Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Rebelling against the oppressive authority by refusing to blindly follow orders


Motherfucker
An exclamation of anger towards the oppressive authority




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Timothy Commerford, Thomas B. Morello, Zack M. De La Rocha, Brad J. Wilk

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@alexandermendeyev35

My best memory with this song happened when i was 22, almost 12 years ago, I was late for my first university class, so i was driving wild 😂 with loud music to keep the blood pumping. I had an amazing Mustang GT 2001 with Borla Exahusts that thing had an amazing sound. So there i was wearing sun glasses singing out loud on a Mustang driving like a possesed man listening to this beauty. Near my University there was a roundabout with green areas and benches, (in my country México some roundabouts are designed as parks) i saw a group of people sitting on the grass near the benches, about 20 people they all looked at me with dissaproval 🤨🤨 cause of my driving and loud music. When i arrived at my school i went into the classroom and found no one. So i asked reception if class was cancelled.

No, it's a sunny day, they're at the roundabout taking class. This was a creative writing class. And i immediatly think.... FUCK

Maybe i can sneak in without being noticed...

As soon as i arrived my teacher saw me, and said loudly OMG LOOK IS THE GUY DRIVING LIKE AN IDIOT, EVERYONE LOOK AT HIM, LET'S GIVE HIM AN APPLAUSE!! everyone start clapping at me and i felt so embarrased 😂 yet started laughing.

So i had to endure a lot of bullying that day. Obviously i was called names Tacoretto was my favorite haha.

My teacher told me she liked Rage Against The Machine too tho 😂



@abe39

[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!



All comments from YouTube:

@agustinfandino8950

I love when BBC asked them to play this live without swearing.
Spoiler alert: they didn't do what was told to them

@yo_asian_boi1424

Lmaooo "fuck you i won't do what you tell me"

@themittenkitten_wastakenfromme

@@yo_asian_boi1424 that’s what they think about BBC.

@jbshiva865

Reminds me of Jim Morrison on the Ed Sullivan Show. :D

@jamescasady3356

And now they are shills for the establishment telling to do as your told and wear a mask and get your shots as soon as your told! My, my. How times have changed.

@valentijngouw9587

You love bbc’s

116 More Replies...

@kozigous5800

i arrested a cop after listening this

@gigakoks-mu1zi

Lmfao

@leviathandiabolo6296

😂

@fabiolotito6927

What,666 like 😂

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