After playing at local radio station KNUZ's battle of the bands event hosted in the Gulfgate mall, the Red Crayola were subsequently signed to "International Artists" by house producer Lelan Rogers. He suggested they bring their group of 50 friends into the studio to record a "freak-out" album. Roky Erickson of the 13th Floor Elevators would make two instrumental cameos on electric organ and harmonica. The album's title would be coined by Steve Cunningham: The Parable of Arable Land, an album which went on to sell 50,000 copies on its first run and garnered the attention of Jimi Hendrix, John Peel and the Beatles. Thompson described it as "the beginnings of alternative rock" as no advertising nor promotion was done for the record. Their sophomore album "God Bless the Red Krayola and all Who Sail With It" saw drummer Rick Barthelme depart from the band. International Artists provided the release with a quantity of promotion and advertising. The album flopped, selling around 6,000 copies - perhaps due to it's minimalistic sound contrasting with their debuts maximalist noise; Pitchfork wrote "It would take a few decades of post-punk experimentalism before Mayo Thompson's vision would have a truly suitable context". The album would go on to be assessed as a precursor to the Minutemen, Unrest, Bastro and Gastr Del Sol. The Red Krayola's follow-ups never lived up to the success of their debut but always broke new ground and foreshadowed different alternative rock genres.
Born in Flames
The Red Krayola Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We set the vast conglomerates aflame
The working class avowed its name
Of America's mysteries none remain
We broke the hidden tyrannies
Of the reptilian joint-stock companies
Nor did their armed brutality
We are born in flames
Into the darkness of the past
We've thrown the shamans of the ruling class
The struggle of the exploitеd mass
Has broken the oppressors lash
Wе are born in flames
The war of great heroic deeds
Confirmed the death of inhuman creeds
The people now can fill their needs
On truth and reason now we feed
We are born in flames
The Red Krayola's song "Born in Flames" is a political anthem that celebrates the resistance and triumph of the working class against the tyranny of wealthy and powerful corporations. The lyrics suggest a complete overthrow of the capitalist system and a rebirth of society based on truth, reason, and the needs of the people. The first verse describes a deliberate effort to destroy the conglomerates and reveal the mysteries of America. The second verse speaks of the overthrow of the ruling class and the end of oppression. The final verse celebrates the heroism of the people and the victory of truth and reason over inhuman ideologies.
The song "Born in Flames" was released in 1980 as part of the Red Krayola's album "Kangaroo?". The song's lyrics were written by the prominent Marxist scholar and activist, Fredric Jameson, who was a friend of the band's leader, Mayo Thompson. Jameson's lyrics draw inspiration from Marxist ideology and the history of socialist revolutions. The song's title is a reference to a documentary film of the same name by Lizzie Borden, which explored the lives of radical women in the United States.
Line by Line Meaning
At a new life we took aim
We targeted a new way of life
We set the vast conglomerates aflame
We burned down the large corporations
The working class avowed its name
The working class declared its identity
Of America's mysteries none remain
We uncovered all of America's secrets
We broke the hidden tyrannies
We destroyed the hidden oppressions
Of the reptilian joint-stock companies
By the powerful joint-stock companies
Nor did their armed brutality
Even their violent attacks
Ever bring us to our knees
Could defeat us
We are born in flames
We were brought into existence in the midst of chaos
Into the darkness of the past
We left behind the unpleasant past
We've thrown the shamans of the ruling class
We removed the leaders of the upper class
The struggle of the exploited mass
The fight of the oppressed population
Has broken the oppressors lash
Has destroyed the oppressors' control
The war of great heroic deeds
The conflict of courageous actions
Confirmed the death of inhuman creeds
Proved that inhumane beliefs are no longer relevant
The people now can fill their needs
The people can now meet their needs
On truth and reason now we feed
We rely on truth and logic
We are born in flames
We were brought into existence in the midst of chaos
Contributed by Luke W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lizzie Borden
Hi Everyone,
Here are the lyrics for Born In Flames
BORN IN FLAMES
At a new life we took aim
We set the vast conglomerates aflame
The working class avowed its name
Of America’s mysteries none remain
We broke the hidden tyrannies
Of the reptilian joint-stock companies
Nor did their armed brutality
Ever bring us to our knees
We are born in flames
Into the darkness of the past
We’ve thrown the shamans of the ruling class
The struggle of the exploited mass
Has broken the oppressors lash
We are born in flames
The war of great heroic deeds
Confirmed the death of inhuman creeds
The people now can fill their needs
On truth and reason now we feed
We are born in flames
Against external perturbation
The party-hearth of culture education
Achiever all history’s confirmation
Our social democrat consolidation
In brotherhood and sisterhood
We are prepared to give our blood
Defend new life- crush those who would
Deny the right for which we stood
We are born in flames
A song by Mayo Thompson for the film Born In Flames
Noah Dillon
I've listened to this song for a long time and never gotten a full handle on exactly what she's saying. Here's a shot at the lyrics:
"At a new life we took aim, we set the vast conglomerates aflame
The working class avowed its name, of America's mysteries
None remain!
We broke the hidden tyranny of reptilian joint-stock companies
Nor did their armed brutalities ever bring us to our knees
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
Into the darkness of the past we've thrown the chains of the ruling class
The struggle of exploited masses has broken the oppressor's lash
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
The war of great heroic deeds confirms the [debt/death/depth] of inhuman greed
People now can fill their needs,
Of truth and reason now we sing
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
Against external ... [the party of] ... education
And ... all history's confirmation of social ...
In brotherhood and sisterhood we are prepared to give our lives
Fight tonight, crush those who would ...
... for which we stood—we are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
Any suggestions?
Lizzie Borden
Hi Everyone,
Here are the lyrics for Born In Flames
BORN IN FLAMES
At a new life we took aim
We set the vast conglomerates aflame
The working class avowed its name
Of America’s mysteries none remain
We broke the hidden tyrannies
Of the reptilian joint-stock companies
Nor did their armed brutality
Ever bring us to our knees
We are born in flames
Into the darkness of the past
We’ve thrown the shamans of the ruling class
The struggle of the exploited mass
Has broken the oppressors lash
We are born in flames
The war of great heroic deeds
Confirmed the death of inhuman creeds
The people now can fill their needs
On truth and reason now we feed
We are born in flames
Against external perturbation
The party-hearth of culture education
Achiever all history’s confirmation
Our social democrat consolidation
In brotherhood and sisterhood
We are prepared to give our blood
Defend new life- crush those who would
Deny the right for which we stood
We are born in flames
A song by Mayo Thompson for the film Born In Flames
GigglesandTrees
🖤🖤💪🏾
Hoobaba Schnitzel
Just saw you on TCM, thank you for this movie!
Beck
Thank you for the lyrics and for my favorite film of all time!
Twain Driver
Damn, I should have gone through Red Krayola's stuff sooner. Such a sweet tune. Also, damn you Spotify for removing this song. It was doing quite well in my playlists.
Noah Dillon
I've listened to this song for a long time and never gotten a full handle on exactly what she's saying. Here's a shot at the lyrics:
"At a new life we took aim, we set the vast conglomerates aflame
The working class avowed its name, of America's mysteries
None remain!
We broke the hidden tyranny of reptilian joint-stock companies
Nor did their armed brutalities ever bring us to our knees
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
Into the darkness of the past we've thrown the chains of the ruling class
The struggle of exploited masses has broken the oppressor's lash
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
The war of great heroic deeds confirms the [debt/death/depth] of inhuman greed
People now can fill their needs,
Of truth and reason now we sing
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
Against external ... [the party of] ... education
And ... all history's confirmation of social ...
In brotherhood and sisterhood we are prepared to give our lives
Fight tonight, crush those who would ...
... for which we stood—we are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
We are born in flames
Any suggestions?
E Z
Communists
Ethan Grech
Thanks a lot for this. I think you've done a good job, comrade!
Master Shaw
Noah Dillon thank you for bringing it up. This is very mediocre "poetry". Soviet regime inspired.)) lol
Noah Dillon
Cam Bennett No, I know the term, I just don't see it. The song, by my account, recounts a revolution in which America is a target, "reptilian joint-stock companies," "vast conglomerates," etc.
You could also, reading into a call for permanent revolution, relate it to similar concepts by Marx, Trotsky, Mao, others.
Or just a handy form of exposition for the movie of the same name.