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".
Whatever It Takes
Tom Morello Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She cashed in and cut the tether
She's gone, it's no mistake
The angels have come too late
They've come too late
In my hands I hold the proof
That something's sure to hit you
Don't let them tie you to the stake
Whatever it takes
Blood waters raise the ramparts
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I'm here until the frontline breaks
Whatever it takes
Then she turned off the headlights,
Cranked the radio, ran the redlights
Never found the missing bride
Windows dark but they're all inside
They're all inside...
In my hands I hold the proof
That something's sure to hit you
Pure flesh and bone to rip through
Don't let them tie you to the stake
Whatever it takes
Blood waters raise the ramparts
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I'm here until the frontline breaks
Whatever it takes
General without an Army
I stopped lookin, then they found me
On the hill a horn is blowin
It's over man, you just don't know it
That something's sure to hit you
Pure flesh and bone to rip through
Don't let them tie you to the stake
Whatever it takes
Blood waters raise the ramparts
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I'm here until the frontline breaks
Whatever it takes
Come backwards through the red room
A jungle of thieves to get through
Time's up, how long you gonna waste
Whatever it takes...
So Jack grab paper and pen
I'll say once, we'll say it again.
Loosen the core until it shakes.
Whatever it takes.
Whatever it takes.
The song "Whatever it Takes" by Tom Morello begins with the lines, "Storm clouds won't bother to gather, she cashed in and cut the tether" which could be interpreted as the singer breaking free from the constraints that were holding her back. The line "She's gone, it's no mistake, The angels have come too late" suggests that she has already made the decision to leave and others may have tried to intervene but it was too late. The song talks about holding the proof that something is sure to hit you and it urges the listener not to let anyone tie them to the stake, which could mean not letting others hold them back or control them.
The chorus, "Whatever it takes, blood waters raise the ramparts, I'll meet you now wherever you are, I'm here until the frontline breaks" is a battle cry that urges the listener to do whatever it takes to break free from any chains that are holding them back. The lines "Then she turned off the headlights, Cranked the radio, ran the red lights" could symbolize taking a different path and challenging the norms to achieve what one wants. The lines "General without an army, I stopped looking, then they found me, on the hill a horn is blowing" suggest that the singer may have been feeling lost or directionless before finding her way.
The song has an uplifting and motivational tone that encourages people to be bold and take risks to achieve their goals. It speaks about overcoming obstacles and standing strong in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Storm clouds won't bother to gather
There's no use anticipating the worst and worrying about it.
She cashed in and cut the tether
She freed herself from something that was holding her back.
She's gone, it's no mistake
She left and it's intentional.
The angels have come too late
It's too late to save this situation.
They've come too late
The situation can't be undone.
In my hands I hold the proof
I have evidence to support my claim.
That something's sure to hit you
Trouble is bound to come your way.
Pure flesh and bone to rip through
You're vulnerable and can be easily hurt.
Don't let them tie you to the stake
Don't let other people's expectations or demands restrict you.
Whatever it takes
I am willing to do anything to help or achieve my goals.
Blood waters raise the ramparts
A crisis is looming and defenses need to be raised.
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I am willing to come and support you, wherever you are.
I'm here until the frontline breaks
I will not leave your side until the danger or threat is over.
Then she turned off the headlights,
She is taking a risk and avoiding being seen.
Cranked the radio, ran the redlights
She is acting recklessly and impulsively.
Never found the missing bride
The person being searched for could not be found.
Windows dark but they're all inside
Appearances can be deceiving.
General without an Army
I am alone in this battle.
I stopped lookin, then they found me
I gave up and then was found unexpectedly.
On the hill a horn is blowin
There's an urgent call to action.
It's over man, you just don't know it
The end is near but some people are unaware of it.
Come backwards through the red room
Navigate through the dangerous obstacles in the opposite direction.
A jungle of thieves to get through
A difficult and unfair challenge lies ahead.
Time's up, how long you gonna waste
It's time to act and stop procrastinating.
So Jack grab paper and pen
Take note and pay attention.
I'll say once, we'll say it again.
This is an important message that needs to be repeated.
Loosen the core until it shakes.
Stir things up and create change.
Whatever it takes.
I am determined to succeed no matter what.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anne Preven, Thomas B Morello
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Florence Ferguson
One of the best guitarists ever!!!!
I love his passion!
manolis daveronas
Storm clouds won't bother to gather
She cashed in cut the tether
She's gone
It's no mistake
The angels
Have come too late
They've come too late
In my hands I hold the proof
[Chorus]
That something's sure to hit you
Pure flesh and bone to rip through
Don't let ‘em tie you to the stake
Whatever it takes
Flood waters raise the ramparts
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I'm here until the frontline breaks
Whatever it takes
[Verse 2]
Then she turned off the headlights
Cranked the radio
Ran the red lights
Never found the missing bride
Windows dark
But they're all inside
They're all inside
In my hands I hold the proof
[Chorus]
That something's sure to hit you
Pure flesh and bone to rip through
Don't let 'em tie you to the stake
Whatever it takes
[Bridge]
Flood waters raise the ramparts
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I'm here until the frontline breaks
Whatever it takes
A general without an army
I stopped lookin' then they found me
On the hill, a horn is blowin'
It's over man, you just don't know it
[Chorus]
That something's sure to hit you
Pure flesh and bone to rip through
Don't let 'em tie you to the stake
Whatever it takes
Flood waters raise the ramparts
I'll meet you now wherever you are
I'm here until the frontline breaks
Whatever it takes
[Chorus 2]
Climb backwards through the red room
A jungle of thieves to get through
Time's up how long you gonna wait
Whatever it takes
So, Jack, grab paper and pen
I'll say it once won't say it again
Loosen the core until it shakes
Whatever it takes
Lukecraft
Oops
Lukecraft
L
Proxygaming
THANK YOU I’ve been looking for this song for months now
EmperorPeter
Great song
The Internet
I'm here until the front line breaks.
Jason Varas
Mark sandman??
Lukecraft
Who dat