Live performances
Zack de la Rocha sometimes changes the lyrics in the second verse from "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses" to "Some of those that burn crosses are the same that hold office" when playing live. It is also sometimes changed to "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn churches".
Critical reception
"Killing in the Name" was placed at number 89 on "100 Greatest Guitar Solos", a poll made by Guitar World. Q magazine placed "Killing in the Name" at number 24 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks and at number 99 in its list of the 100 greatest songs ever.
The song earned its notoriety in the United Kingdom when its BBC Radio 1 DJ, Bruno Brookes, played the uncensored version of the song on his Top 40 countdown, leading to 138 complaints. This moment of infamy has since been consistently referenced by numerous British rock media.
Other appearances
The band Audioslave, which incorporated all but one member of Rage Against the Machine, played the song at multiple shows."Killing in the Name" is featured on fictional alternative rock station Radio X, in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and is used as a bumper song on The Jim Rome Show.
A note-for-note cover version of "Killing in the Name" is a playable song in the Guitar Hero II video game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, as a part of the main song list. It is found in the fifth song tier, Return of the Shred, in the PS2 version and in the sixth tier, Relentless Riffs, in the Xbox 360 version. However the song's lyrics are altered to remove the expletives, replacing the sentence repeated over 15 times "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!" with "You're under control, I won't do what you tell me!, and the word "Motherfucker!" near the end is replaced with "Under control!".
La Maison Tellier made an acoustic cover of "Killing in the Name" that possessed a distinctive folk sound.
In July 2007 a remix of this song by SebastiAn (miscredited as a Mr. Oizo remix) was Zane Lowe's "Hottest Record in the World" on his show on BBC Radio 1. Comedian Bill Hicks played the song at the end of his shows toward the end of his life.
The song was featured in the movie Step Up 2 during the final dance scene.
The Apples, a funk band from Tel Aviv, Israel released a cover on a 7" vinyl on Freestyle Records.
In 2004, radio and television commentator Glenn Beck used instrumental sections of the song as an open for his radio show.
In early December 2009, members of the social networking site Facebook launched a group encouraging people to buy the song in the week running up to Christmas in order to prevent the winner of the The X Factor (UK) TV show from achieving the coveted Christmas number one slot in the UK Singles Chart. 954,863 members (as of the 20th December 2009) have joined the group. They won, and also donated over £65,000 to UK charity Shelter. The week also set a record for download sales in a single week as it reached the top spot on downloads alone. No hard copies of the single were released.
Music video
The video was released in 1993. This clip was filmed entirely in a small venue. The uncensored version of the video clip was banned on MTV for such a long period of time that the video's existence was in doubt until its release on the self-titled video.
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, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Timothy Commerford, Thomas B. Morello, Zack M. De La Rocha, Brad J. Wilk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@naziarahman8168
Lyrics:
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
@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!
@surebrec5113
Best and most underrated Christmas song of all time.
@Skyler.sword101
So real my friend
@No_nosay
Is it Christmas song?!
@ninacuk
🤣🤣🤣🤣❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉 merry Xmas
@surebrec5113
@@No_nosay Technically, yes.
@leomendoza450
happy Honda days
@keraeduardo
Most people say this song will never stop being relevant, but I wish we could hit a year that this song becomes old and the problem it talks about no longer exists. The music is great, tho.
@magistermilitum1206
I just listen it for the riffs and Zach vocals, I don't pay attention to the lyrics
@BrokedDownPalace
The lyrics will always be somewhat relevant. Even if christianity and racism against black ppl disappear, it's seemingly human nature to judge and to comform
@marymoore7338
do ac gv s va don'tI d DVD o