The cover of the single was taken from the 1968 Olympics Black Power Salute. The song's lyrics notably make reference to George Orwell's novel 1984 through use of "The Party" slogan "Who controls the past (now), controls the future. Who controls the present (now), controls the past.
A song titled "Testify" was performed at the KROQ Almost Acoustic X-Mas, 12.12.1993. The song is completely unrelated to the "Battle of Los Angeles" track except for the title. Although the song was played only this once and disappeared, some of the lyrics were used for "Down Rodeo" and the final version of "People of the Sun".
"Testify" made its live debut under the working title "Hendrix" on January 23, 1999, at a surprise club show at the Troubador in West Hollywood, CA. While the instrumental part was identical to the final version, the lyrics were completely different.
Rage Against the Machine opened most of the concerts in its reunion tour with "Testify".
The music video, directed by Michael Moore, features a group of aliens, with the title card "Aliens plot to conquer Earth!" followed by "Launch the mutant now!", after which a number of clips showing the two presidential candidates at the time (George W. Bush and Al Gore for the 2000 US Presidential Election) stating the same policies and views on important issues, and the movie aims to highlight the lack of choice in the US electoral system. This is spoofed in the video as the images of Bush and Gore are morphed together, thereby creating a "mutant" that "appears as two but speaks as one."
Other key themes in the video focus on America's reliance on oil, with several clips of the Gulf War, and lines at gas pumps accompanied by the lines "Mass graves for the pump and the price is set." Other clips display modern industrialization and the military industrial complex, juxtaposed against images of third world nations.
Other organizations, topics, and individuals displayed in the video include: Exxon, George W. Bush's reaction to same sex relationships, Richard Nixon, Kenneth Starr, Bill Clinton, Oliver North, Monica Lewinsky, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Pope John Paul II, General Norman Schwarzkopf, the Christian Coalition, monster truck rallies, the Republican Revolution, and the corporate donations that each candidate has received.
The similarities between the two candidates are displayed through sound bites of their speeches. Among the topics that George W. Bush and Al Gore agree on, as shown in the video: support of the death penalty, prosperity through free trade, investing in the future, support of clean air, and a ban on soft money. Each candidate concludes by stating "God Bless America."
The video ends with a quote from Ralph Nader: "If you're not turned on to politics, politics will turn on you."
Testify
Rage Against the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The glamour subdue me
The tabloid untie me
I'm empty please fill me
Mister anchor assure me
That Baghdad is burning
Your voice it is so soothing
That cunning mantra of killing
To dress this up so bloodless
To numb me and purge me now
Of thoughts of blaming you
Yes the car is our wheelchair
My witness your coughing
Oily silence mocks the legless
Ones who travel now in coffins
On the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside your door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside your door
Now testify
Yes testify
It's right outside your door
With precision you feed me
My witness I'm hungry
Your temple it calms me
So I can carry on
My slaving sweating the skin right off my bones
On a bed of fire I'm choking on the smoke that fills my home
The wrecking ball is rushing
Witness your blushing
The pipeline is gushing
While here we lie in tombs
While on the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside your door
Now testify
Yeah testify
It's right outside your door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside your door
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set, and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set, and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set, and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set, and the price is set
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now controls the past
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now?
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside your door
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside your door
In "Testify", Rage Against the Machine tackles the complex topic of media manipulation and propaganda in the context of the Iraq War. The song opens with the character being overwhelmed and numbed by the constant barrage of media messages, both in news reporting and pop culture, which affects their perception of reality. The reference to Baghdad burning and the soothing voice of the anchor, highlights the media's ability to manipulate and distort the truth. The chorus of the song, with its urgent repetition of "Testify", represents the call to action for people to speak out against injustice and take a stand against propaganda.
The second verse brings in the theme of labor exploitation and the environmental destruction caused by war. The character feels like they are being used up and exhausted, both physically and mentally, while multinational corporations profit off the Iraq War through the exploitation of natural resources, as symbolized by the pipeline gushing. The song ends with a critique of power dynamics, where those who control the narrative control the future and how we remember history. The message is clear; we need to be critical of the information we receive and the media powers that control it, and we need to take action to hold them accountable.
Line by Line Meaning
The movie ran through me
I am influenced by the media I consume
The glamour subdue me
The glitz and glam of media suppresses and controls me
The tabloid untie me
I am liberated and given a false sense of freedom by sensationalist journalism
I'm empty please fill me
I am emotionally void and looking for something to fill me up
Mister anchor assure me
I seek reassurance from media anchors and reporters
That Baghdad is burning
I am watching news about the destruction of Baghdad
Your voice it is so soothing
The media is able to comfort and soothe me despite the harsh realities it presents
That cunning mantra of killing
The media has a manipulative message of violence and death
I need you my witness
I rely on the media to inform me and bear witness to the state of the world
To dress this up so bloodless
I want the harsh realities to be presented in a sanitized way
To numb me and purge me now
I want the media to desensitize me and help me forget the morally complicated issues at hand
Of thoughts of blaming you
I want to absolve myself of responsibility for the harsh realities presented by the media
Yes the car is our wheelchair
We rely too heavily on cars as a mode of transportation
My witness your coughing
I am aware of the pollution and damage caused by cars
Oily silence mocks the legless
The harmful effects of oil production and use continue to be ignored despite the damage it causes
Ones who travel now in coffins
The casualties of war and oil production are wrapped in coffins
On the corner
Loitering on the streets
The jury's sleepless
The people are aware of what's happening and restless with anger
We found your weakness
We have discovered your vulnerabilities and shortcomings
And it's right outside your door
The reality of these issues is on our doorstep, and cannot be ignored
Now testify
Now is the time to speak out and demand change
With precision you feed me
The media is expert at manipulating and controlling what I consume
My witness I'm hungry
I am eager for more information and testimony from the media
Your temple it calms me
The media creates a sense of serenity and stability despite the turmoil presented
So I can carry on
The media allows me to keep living in relative comfort and ignorance of larger global issues
My slaving sweating the skin right off my bones
I am working myself to the bone with no support or recourse
On a bed of fire I'm choking on the smoke that fills my home
I feel trapped and surrounded by danger, and cannot escape the harmful effects of pollution and environmental damage
The wrecking ball is rushing
Destruction is coming swiftly and without mercy
Witness your blushing
The perpetrators of these issues are aware of their guilt and complicity
The pipeline is gushing
The oil industry is causing irreparable damage to the environment
While here we lie in tombs
Our environment is being destroyed so destructively that it feels like a death sentence
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set, and the price is set
The oil industry is causing mass casualties, and yet we continue to fuel it and ignore the consequences
Who controls the past now controls the future
The people who manipulate and control history gain a stranglehold on what the world will become
Who controls the present now controls the past
Those with current power and influence are able to whitewash or retrospectively alter the past to fit their narrative
Now testify
Once again, a call to action to speak out against those who hold power and control over our lives
Testify
Reinforcing the importance of speaking out, at any cost
It's right outside your door
The truth cannot be ignored, it is literally on our doorstep
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Brad J Wilk, Timothy Commerford, Tom Morello, Zack M De La Rocha
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RainMan TheReal
Testify
Rage Against the Machine
The movie ran through me
The glamour subdue me
The tabloid untie me
I'm empty, please fill me
Mister Anchor, assure me
That Baghdad is burning
Your voice, it is so soothing
That cunning mantra of killing
I need you, my witness
To dress this up so bloodless
To numb me and purge me now
Of thoughts of blaming you
Yes, the car is our wheelchair
My witness, your coughing
Oily silence mocks the legless
Ones who travel now in coffins
On the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside your door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside your door
Now testify
Yes, testify
It's right outside your door
With precision you feed me
My witness, I'm hungry
Your temple, it calms me
So I can carry on
My slaving, sweating
The skin right off my bones
On a bed of fire, I'm choking
On the smoke that fills my home
The wrecking ball is rushing
Witness, you're blushing
The pipeline is gushing
While here we lie in tombs
While on the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside your door
Now testify
Yeah, testify
It's right outside your door
Now testify
Now testify
Well, it's right outside your door
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
And the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
And the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
And the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
And the price is set
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now controls the past
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now?
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside your door
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside your door
Piúpenso
"Testify"
UGH!
The movie ran through me
The glamour subdue me
The tabloid untie me
I'm empty please fill me
Mister anchor assure me
That Baghdad is burning
Your voice it is so soothing
That cunning mantra of killing
I need you my witness
To dress this up so bloodless
To numb me and purge me now
Of thoughts of blaming you
Yes the car is our wheelchair
My witness your coughing
Oily silence mocks the legless
Ones who travel now in coffins
On the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside our door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside our door
Now testify
Yes testify
It's right outside our door
With precision you feed me
My witness I'm hungry
Your temple it calms me
So I can carry on
My slaving sweating the skin right off my bones
On a bed of fire I'm choking on the smoke that fills my home
The wrecking ball rushing
Witness your blushing
The pipeline is gushing
While here we lie in tombs
While on the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside your door
Now testify
Yeah testify
It's right outside our door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside our door
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now controls the past
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now?
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside our door
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside our door
MysticDemon34
Welcome my son
Welcome to the machine
Where have you been?
It's alright we know where you've been
You've been in the pipeline
Filling in time
Provided with toys and scouting for boys
You brought a guitar to punish your ma
And you didn't like school
And you know you're nobody's fool
So welcome to the machine
Welcome my son
Welcome to the machine
What did you dream?
It's alright we told you what to dream
You dreamed of a big star
He played a mean guitar
He always ate in the Steak Bar
He loved to drive in his Jaguar
So welcome to the machine
-Pink Floyd
claudio ramos
La película corrió a través de mí
El glamour me somete
El tabloide me desató
Estoy vacío. por favor llename
Señor ancla, asegúreme
Que Bagdad está ardiendo
Tu voz, es tan relajante
Ese mantra astuto de matar
Te necesito, mi testigo
Para vestir esto tan sin sangre
Para adormecerme y purgarme ahora
De pensamientos de culparte
Sí, el coche es nuestra silla de ruedas.
Mi testigo, tu tos
El silencio aceitoso se burla de los sin piernas
Que viajan ahora en ataúdes
[Pre coro]
Mientras en la esquina (Esquina)
El jurado está desvelado (Sleepless)
Encontramos tu debilidad (Debilidad)
Y está justo afuera de tu puerta
[Coro]
ahora testifica
ahora testifica
Está justo afuera de tu puerta, ahora testifica
si, testificar
Está justo afuera de tu puerta
[Verso 2]
Con precisión me alimentas
Mi testigo, tengo hambre
Tu templo, me calma, para poder seguir
Mi esclavitud, sudando la piel de mis huesos
En una cama de fuego, me ahogo con el humo que llena mi hogar
La bola de demolición está corriendo
Sé testigo de tu rubor
El oleoducto está brotando
Mientras aquí yacemos en tumbas
[Pre coro]
Mientras en la esquina (Esquina)
El jurado está desvelado (Sleepless)
Encontramos tu debilidad (Debilidad)
Y está justo afuera de tu puerta
[Coro]
ahora testifica
si, testificar
Está justo afuera de tu puerta
ahora testifica
ahora testifica
Y está justo afuera de tu puerta
[Post-Coro]
Fosas comunes para la bomba cuando se fija el precio
Cuando se fija el precio
Fosas comunes para la bomba cuando se fija el precio
Cuando se fija el precio
Fosas comunes para la bomba cuando se fija el precio
Cuando se fija el precio
Fosas comunes para la bomba cuando se fija el precio
Cuando se fija el precio
[Solo de guitarra]
[Puente]
Quien controla el pasado ahora controla el futuro
Quien controla el presente ahora controla el pasado
Quien controla el pasado ahora controla el futuro
¿Quién controla el presente ahora?
[Coro]
ahora testifica
Testificar
Está justo afuera de tu puerta
ahora testifica
Testificar
Está justo afuera de tu puerta....🎶🎸🎵🎸
Diego Iriarte
The movie ran through me
The glamour subdue me
The tabloid untie me
I'm empty please fill me
Mister anchor assure me
That Baghdad is burning
Your voice it is so soothing
That cunning mantra of killing
I need you my witness
To dress this up so bloodless
To numb me and purge me now
Of thoughts of blaming you
Yes the car is our wheelchair
My witness your coughing
Oily silence mocks the legless
Ones who travel now in coffins
On the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside our door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside our door
Now testify
Yes testify
It's right outside our door
With precision you feed me
My witness I'm hungry
Your temple it calms me
So I can carry on
My slaving sweating the skin right off my bones
On a bed of fire I'm choking on the smoke that fills my home
The wrecking ball rushing
Witness your blushing
The pipeline is gushing
While here we lie in tombs
While on the corner
The jury's sleepless
We found your weakness
And it's right outside your door
Now testify
Yeah testify
It's right outside our door
Now testify
Now testify
It's right outside our door
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Mass graves for the pump and the price is set
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now controls the past
Who controls the past now controls the future
Who controls the present now?
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside our door
Now testify
Testify
It's right outside our door
Patrick B.
This is one of the few bands where I'm not even mad they stopped making their stuff. Everything they needed to say, they already did. If the message is not understood, can't be helped.
Artemis XO
Patrick Böhnert yeah but they gotta say it again
Yomachaser
P Meaning what exactly?
acesuth32
P are you ok
O’fresh
@Yomachaser it's because they got famous and wealthy which obviously must mean they became what they were fighting even tho they were just fighting corruption all together
Dankest Ranch
And they interviewed noam chomsky..what else could u ask for lol
80 mom Knotts
I'm an 80 yr old great-grandmother and love this song. I'd give Zack, Tom and the band huge hugs if I ran into them. Come back, y'all!
80 mom Knotts
@UC8itfFFiAbiRCrPpaZOgO0g Lovely comment--thanks! I've always wanted to visit the Motherland but never had a chance. I come from a long line of Smiths and Franklins who immigrated here quite early from England. It's not hard to understand why so many English settled in the south. Around here, it's rolling hills, farms, small towns, horses, hunting--small villages without the manor house these days, though, and more modern, of course. . BTW, your knees--do you get regular shots of steroids? My only impression of GPs in the NHS is from the "Martin" series, haha, and the villages from "Midsomer Murders". Enjoyed both series immensely.
hustle4humpback
you‘re so damn right granny!
VoidGuy
This made me feel much better