The song is one of many off the album which contain anti-war and anti-authoritarian lyrics. The song's main message is that the American government touts itself as the land of the free, but lies and takes freedom away.
Know Your Enemy
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, we're comin' back in with another bomb track
Think ya know what it's all about, huh
Ayo, so check this out, yeah
Know your enemy
Come on
A witness to the slit wrist, as we move into '92
Still in a room without a view
Ya got to know, ya got to know
That when I say go, go, go
Amp up and amplify, defy
I'm a brother with a furious mind
Action must be taken
We don't need the key, we'll break in
Something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
'Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against 'em
Fist in ya face in the place
And I'll drop the style clearly
Know your enemy
Know your enemy
Yeah
Ayo, get with this, uh
Word is born
Fight the war, fuck the norm
Now I got no patience
So sick of complacence
With the D the E the F the I the A the N the C the E
Mind of a revolutionary
So clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
What? "The land of the free"?
Whoever told you that is your enemy
Now something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against 'em
Now action must be taken
We don't need the key, we'll break in
I've got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
I've got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
Sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of you
Time has come to pay
Know your enemy
Come on
Yes, I know my enemies
They're the teachers who taught me to fight me
Compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission
Ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
The lyrics of "Know Your Enemy" by Rage Against the Machine are deeply political and rebellious. The song starts with the band stating that they are coming back with another bomb track, implying that they are about to drop an explosive message on their listeners. They urge their listeners to know their enemy, perhaps referring to the oppressive government or societal norms that they are trying to defy.
The band uses powerful imagery in their lyrics, like the "raised fist" and references to "vengeance, a badge, and a gun". They emphasize the need for action to be taken, and that they will not wait for permission to do so. This rebellious and revolutionary attitude is also reflected in the reference to "the land of the free", which the band sees as a lie and a tool of oppression.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics connect with the American dream and point out the hypocrisy and brutality that can be found within it. The repetition of this line emphasizes the message and reinforces the idea that the American dream is not what it seems, and that the band is fighting against the oppressive system.
Overall, the lyrics of "Know Your Enemy" are a call to action and a call for revolution against an oppressive system that the band sees as the enemy.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh
This line is an expressive interjection with no deep meaning
Yeah, we're comin' back in with another bomb track
The band is releasing another powerful track
Think ya know what it's all about, huh
Challenging the audience to really understand the song's message
Ayo, so check this out, yeah
Asking the audience to pay attention to the lyrics that follow
Know your enemy
Recognize your adversary and understand their motives and actions
Come on
Encouraging the audience to embrace the message
Born with insight and a raised fist
As someone who is aware and ready to fight for their beliefs
A witness to the slit wrist, as we move into '92
Having seen the hurt caused by society and carrying that into the next decade
Still in a room without a view
Feeling trapped and confined in a world that doesn't prioritize their beliefs
Ya got to know, ya got to know
Stressing the importance of recognizing and understanding one's enemy
That when I say go, go, go
Urging action and momentum towards a fight against the enemy
Amp up and amplify, defy
Increasing the intensity and volume of one's message while opposing authority
I'm a brother with a furious mind
A person who is enraged and determined to take action
Action must be taken
Urging for definitive action against one's enemy
We don't need the key, we'll break in
Finding a way to defeat the enemy without their support or approval
Something must be done
Expressing a sense of urgency and a need for change
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
Taking action against those who use violence to oppress others
'Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
Vowing to rebel and challenge the current system of power
I was born to rage against 'em
This person has always been inclined and ready to fight their oppressors
Fist in ya face in the place
Symbolically assaulting enemies with a raised fist
And I'll drop the style clearly
Communicating his message with clarity
Know your enemy
Reiterating the importance of understanding one's adversary
Ayo, get with this, uh
Encouraging audiences to understand and embrace this message
Word is born
This is a message of truth
Fight the war, fuck the norm
Encouraging rebellion against oppressive norms
Now I got no patience
This singer has no more tolerance for the status quo
So sick of complacence
Tired of seeing people be content with oppression
With the D the E the F the I the A the N the C the E
Using spelling to emphasize the importance of defiance
Mind of a revolutionary
Thinking with the ideas of someone seeking major societal change
So clear the lane
Get out of the way or move aside
The finger to the land of the chains
Expressing an obscene gesture towards the companies and people who profit from oppression
What? "The land of the free"?
Sarcastically questioning whether or not America is really a free country
Whoever told you that is your enemy
Challenging false messages that oppress people and calling out their source as the real enemy
Sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of you
Fed up with people who perpetuate oppressive systems
Time has come to pay
The consequences are finally coming for those who profit from and perpetuate oppression
Yes, I know my enemies
The singer has taken the time to truly understand their opposition
They're the teachers who taught me to fight me
Realizing that those who were meant to educate and guide have instead driven people to rebel
Compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission
Listing the oppressive norms that people are expected to follow
Ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite
Listing the oppressive values that people are expected to accept
All of which are American dreams
Calling out the idea that these expectations are the hallmark of the American Dream
All of which are American dreams
Reiterating that these are not just societal norms, but rather the ideal of American culture
All of which are American dreams
The repetition underscores the idea that these are deeply ingrained in American society and culture
All of which are American dreams
The singer wants to emphasize that these oppressive ideas are not just dreams but a reality for many Americans
All of which are American dreams
Emphasizing that to know your enemy is to recognize how pervasive and powerful these oppressive norms are in the US
All of which are American dreams
Reiterating the message that these are the ideas that need to be fought against
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
@_belial
Lyrics:
Huh!
Yeah, we're comin' back in with another "Bombtrack"
Think ya know it's all of that, HUH!
Hey yo, so check this out...
Yeah...
Know your enemy!
Come on!
Born with insight and a raised fist
A witness to the slit wrist
As we, move into '92
Still in a room without a view
Ya got to know, ya got to know
That when I say go, go, go!
Amp up and amplify
Defy, I'm a brother with a furious mind
Action must be taken
We don't need the key, we'll break in
Something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to Rage Against 'em!
Fist in ya face in the place and I'll drop the style clearly...
Know your enemy!
Know your enemy!
Yeah!
Hey yo, and get with this... ugh!
Word, is, born!
Fight the war, FUCK the norm!
Now I got no patience
So sick of complacence
With the D, the E, the F, the I, the A, the N, the C, the E
Mind of a revolutionary, so clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
WHAT?! The "land of the free?"
Whoever told you that is your enemy!
Now something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to Rage Against 'em!
Now action must be taken
We don't need the key, we'll BREAK IN!!
I've got no patience now...
So sick of complacence, now...
I've got no patience, now...
So sick of complacence now..
Sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of...you..
Time...has...come...to...PAY!!!
Know your enemy!
Come on!
Yes, I know my enemies!
They're the teachers who taught me to fight me!
Compromise! Conformity! Assimilation! Submission!
Ignorance! Hypocrisy! Brutality! The elite!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
All of which are American dreams!
@aretherelakerstotalkabout8911
Yes I know my enemies
They’re the teachers who taught me to fight me
Compromise
Conformity
Assimilation
Submission
Ignorance
Hypocrisy
Brutality
The elite
All in which are American dreams all in which are American dreams all in which are American dreams all in which….. American dreams
Arguably the most powerful lyric I have ever listen to
@la_mucca_fa_un_mu4046
Lyrics
Huh!
Yeah, we’re comin’ back then with another bombtrack
Think ya know what it’s all about
Huh!
Hey yo, so check this out
Yeah!
Know your enemy!
Come on!
Born with insight and a raised fist
A witness to the slit wrist, that’s with
As we move into ’92
Still in a room without a view
Ya got to know
Ya got to know
That when I say go, go, go
Amp up and amplify
Defy
I’m a brother with a furious mind
Action must be taken
We don’t need the key
We’ll break in
Something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
‘Cause I’ll rip the mike, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against ’em
Fist in ya face, in the place
And I’ll drop the style clearly
Know your enemy…Know your enemy!
Yeah!
Hey yo, and dick with this…uggh!
Word is born
Fight the war, fuck the norm
Now I got no patience
So sick of complacence
With the D the E the F the I the A the N the C the E
Mind of a revolutionary
So clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
What? The land of the free?
Whoever told you that is your enemy?
Now something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun
‘Cause I’ll rip the mike, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against ’em
Now action must be taken
We don’t need the key
We’ll break in
I’ve got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
I’ve got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
Sick of sick of sick of sick of you
Time has come to pay…
Know your enemy!
Come on!
Yes I know my enemies
They’re the teachers who taught me to fight me
Compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission
Ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite
All of which are American dreams (8 times)
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
All of which are American dreams
For those who need<3
@Surfer8652
It's ok YouTube, I promise I don't want to hurt myself. I just want to rock out to RATM.
@57ashdot
It's because YouTube has become the enemy. CONFORMINITY, ASSIMILATION.
@MattC78
It's the album cover image.
@KyleGD
@@MattC78May he R.I.P. Fought for what's right.
@hashtagbiscuits
It's the only one I've ever seen with a warning
@slayer51811
Is there a disclaimer for this song here, too? Wtf YouTube
@Maddyyyyy-tz4mw
You know it's a good song when it has two warnings at the beginning
@newname5205
hell yea i was just gonna comment abt that
@Gulag00
It’s because of the album cover
@newname5205
@@Gulag00 the fact that i didn’t even realize the cover is a photo of that amazing vietnamese monk. how could i