As of 2016, Morello is a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage. Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. He is also known for his acoustic solo act, The Nightwatchman, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello also co-founded Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK (90.7 FM) in Los Angeles.
Born in Harlem, New York and raised in Libertyville, Illinois, Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school. He attended Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Committee on Degrees in Social Studies. After his previous band Lock Up disbanded, Morello met Zack de la Rocha, and the two founded Rage Against the Machine together, going on to become one of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 1990s.
He is best known for his unique and creative guitar playing style, which incorporates feedback noise, unconventional picking and tapping, as well as heavy use of guitar effects. Morello is also known for his leftist political views and activism; creating the Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave. He was ranked number 40 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
Lucky One
Tom Morello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born in a white tux, live like a king does, summer sun
Oh, I'm the buried seed
White on the tight rope, pain is a cycle
Don't you see how it repeats?
Bombs a mess
Sometimes the devil got the sweetest kiss
Oh, will you ever make it out, son?
Will you ever make it out, son?
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
A lucky one
Oh, I'm a piece of dirt
Caught in a spiral, dead on arrival, make it hurt
Oh, I'm a tragic man
Love is a card game, head filled with heartache
It's all a part of the plan
Guns they stall
Sometimes the devil got the sweetest call
Oh, will you ever make it out, son?
Will you ever make it out, son?
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
A lucky one
I want a million bucks, I wanna fly to mars
I wanna die for love, I wanna touch the stars
I wanna finish first, I wanna make my place
I wanna move the earth, I wanna make it shake
I wanna be your boss, don't wanna sell my soul
I wanna take it off, I wanna have control
I wanna have control, control
I wanna be the lucky one
Bombs a mess
Sometimes the devil got the sweetest kiss
Oh, will you ever make it out, son?
Will you ever make it out, son?
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
A lucky one
In Tom Morello's song Lucky One, the lyrics convey a sense of confusion and disorientation about the complexities of life. In the first verse, Morello describes himself as both the lucky one and the buried seed, highlighting the contradictions and uncertainties that are present in life. He acknowledges the pleasure of living like a king, but is also aware of the pain that comes with it. Morello questions whether one's circumstances are purely luck or whether there is something more at play, asking if one is a sucker or a lucky one.
In the second verse, Morello continues to explore the chaos of life, describing himself as a piece of dirt caught in a spiral. He speaks of love as a card game, highlighting the unpredictability and risks that come with it. Morello again questions the idea of luck versus hard work or fate, emphasizing that everything is a part of the plan. In the final chorus, he declares his desire to be the lucky one, asserting his control over his own fate.
Overall, Tom Morello's Lucky One is a reflection of the complexities of life, and the search for answers in an unpredictable world.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I'm the lucky one
Despite being born into privilege and living a luxurious lifestyle, the singer recognizes that they are fortunate.
Born in a white tux, live like a king does, summer sun
The singer was born into wealth and extravagance and enjoys a carefree life of leisure during the summer months.
Oh, I'm the buried seed
The singer, despite their privileged upbringing, feels trapped and stifled.
White on the tight rope, pain is a cycle
The artist feels as though they are on a tightrope, experiencing emotional pain that seems to repeat itself over and over again.
Don't you see how it repeats?
The artist questions whether anyone else can see the pattern of pain and repetition in their life.
Bombs a mess
The world is in chaos and filled with violence.
Sometimes the devil got the sweetest kiss
Sometimes those who seem to have good intentions are, in fact, the worst offenders.
Oh, will you ever make it out, son?
The artist wonders if they, or anyone else, will ever be able to escape the cycle of pain and find happiness.
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
The artist questions whether other people are also experiencing the same feelings of helplessness or if they are simply lucky.
A lucky one
Despite feeling trapped and in pain, the artist acknowledges that they are still fortunate in many ways.
Oh, I'm a piece of dirt
Despite their wealth, the singer feels insignificant and worthless.
Caught in a spiral, dead on arrival, make it hurt
The artist is caught in a cycle of pain that seems impossible to break free from.
Oh, I'm a tragic man
The singer sees themselves as a victim of circumstance and a tragic figure.
Love is a card game, head filled with heartache
The singer's experiences with love have left them feeling empty and heartbroken.
It's all a part of the plan
Despite the pain and heartache, the singer believes that their struggles are part of a bigger plan or purpose.
Guns they stall
Even those with violent intentions can be thwarted or stopped.
Sometimes the devil got the sweetest call
Just like with kisses, those who seem to be on our side are often the ones who will hurt us the most.
I want a million bucks, I wanna fly to mars
The singer has dreams of wealth and adventure, wishing for material success and to travel to the stars.
I wanna die for love, I wanna touch the stars
The singer desires intense, passionate experiences, including love and the excitement of exploring the universe.
I wanna finish first, I wanna make my place
The artist wants to achieve success and be recognized for their achievements.
I wanna move the earth, I wanna make it shake
The artist desires huge, transformative accomplishments that will shift the course of history.
I wanna be your boss, don't wanna sell my soul
The artist wants control over their own life and career, but not at the cost of their morals or values.
I wanna take it off, I wanna have control
The singer wants to be in charge of their own life and decisions, free from external influence.
Control
The artist desires control over their own destiny and experiences.
Oh, will you ever make it out, son?
The singer wonders if they, or others like them, will ever achieve their desires and overcome their struggles.
Are you a sucker or a lucky one?
The singer questions whether others are experiencing luck or are being taken advantage of.
A lucky one
The singer reflects on their own good fortune, despite their struggles and pain.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Restivo, Kristine Flaherty, Tom Morello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jrkasaurus
How does this not have more likes, wtf lol this is one of my favorites of all time! Ty for this gem
@butcheringsaint
Still a riff maker. A very nice track! Dig the voice and the melody. Got that haunting longing behind it. Nice outrovio! Thanks for learning to play this instrument so long ago! Its sure enlightened many to truths.!
@theaidan
We now have two jams with K. Flay and Tom Morello wtf-
@HighOnAmmo
Every K.Flay fan needed this so much. GO ON KRISTINE!
@knuckles2591
I see K. Flay I hit like.
She's amazing
@martyrtavares242
knuckles2591 honestly yes
@Rakuy0
100% agreed
@frackus101
yep...K. Flay = Like button
@gustavotrevino231
knuckles2591 OH HELL YEAHHH!!!!
@josepedroteixeira3120
Exactly, every song she's on, it's a piece of art. Just like this one and "favorite color is blue"