They tell us there are only two sides to be on
If you are on our side you're right, if not you're wrong
But are we innocent, pargons of good?
Is our guilt erased by the pain that we've endured?

Hey look it's time to pledge allegiance
I love my dirty Uncle Sam
Our country's marching to the beat now
And we must learn to step in time

Where is the questioning? Where is the protest song?
Since when is skepticism un-American?
Dissent's not treason but they talk like it's the same
Those who disagree are afraid to show their face

Let's break out our old machines now
It sure is good to see them run again
Oh gentlemen start your engines
And we know where we got the oil from

Are you feeling alright now?
Paint myself all red, white and blue
Are you singing let's fight now?
Innocent People die, uh oh
There are reasons to unite
Is this why we unite?
If you hate this time
Remember we are the time!

Show you love your country, go out and spend some cash
Red, white, blue hot pants doing it for Uncle Sam
Flex our muscles show them we're stronger than the rest
Raise your hands up baby, are you sure that we're the best?

We'll come out with our fists raised
The good old boys are back on top again
And if we let them lead us blindly
The past becomes the future once again


Lyrics submitted by DressedInBlack

Combat Rock Lyrics as written by Corin Lisa Tucker Carrie Rachel Brownstein

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Combat Rock song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    corin & carrie & janet will rock your ass or break your heart. this song accomplishes both. yes, it breaks your heart in a different way. you love your country but the powers-that-be are making us all look like knee-jerk barbarians and anyone with half a brain that dared to speak out (at the time) was villified as un-patriotic. good thing for the bush administration that things are turning out so well....(cough, i'm being sarcastic, cough, cough!)

    anyhow, i was turned on to our girls when "dig me out" came out. i'm so sure i'm unique that way. i've always found the lyrics clever and moving, and the music emotional and/or rocking.

    this particular album was especially poignant because they made it as a response to 9-11 (yeah, i'm sick of hearing people use that tragedy to validate their beliefs/agendas but sk came out with this record before that bs got out of hand and they're not cynical, republican politicians trying to scare the bejesus outta gullible citizens into voting for them). also, that's when we (the usa) waged a trumped-up war unilaterally. why does europe hate us so much?

    anyhow, this song is pretty self-explanatory. and now i feel like johnny-come-lately cos this song is like 2 years old. cut me some slack. i just joined this forum tonight! i'd encourage any casual fans of our heroes to check out "the woods", if you haven't already. it takes a while to absorb but that album will rock your ass!

    milhouse73on June 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song, it reminds me a lot of what the US is going through right now. ;D

    so_0ver_iton May 26, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is the vote against Bush. Too late, though.

    curlygirlon November 14, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song says it all about what is going on with the government these days

    TonyInPortlandon March 27, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What's sad is that this song came out in 2002 and it's lyrics were just as relevent then as they are today 5 yrs later.

    idntfckloserson July 15, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Super funky song, I love it, it is about questioning the war and questioning Bush

    dejavulaon August 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song kicks ass!Two of the chicks in sleater-kinney used to be lovers but they broke up.

    ur so full of shit, sorry but Carrie's bisexual and Corin's been straight for forever, so i dont know where u get ur facts but its wrong.

    PeachFanon August 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Peach: apropos to nothing, pebbles is right according to all the accounts i've seen.

    Milhouse: you nailed it. This song came out in 2002; after 9-11 but before Iraq. It was a call to action to resist the drum beat to war, and a warning of what would happen if we failed to act

    "And if we let them lead us blindly The past becomes the future once again."

    If only enough of us had taken heed.

    The title is a reference to new wave brit-rockers, The Clash. Their politically-charged 1982 album was also titled "Combat Rock" and expressed sentiments like

    "You have the right to free speech As long as you're not dumb enough to actually try it."

    (on the song "Know Your Rights.")

    jeffeljefeon November 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion

    This hook is better than anything The Strokes ever wrote.

    geniusbannedmeon August 23, 2023   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    This song kicks ass!Two of the chicks in sleater-kinney used to be lovers but they broke up.

    pebbleson December 04, 2004   Link

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