Killing In The Name Lyrics
I advise anyone who is trying to figure out lyrics to listen half speed before jumping to conclusions. Another good trick is to watch some live video of the song and actually read their lips. Not always correct, as they sometimes change lyrics live, but useful. An example. The lyric is definitely "Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses". Live, he sometimes says "Some of those that burn crosses, are the same that hold office". "Wearing the (also "a" and "you're") badge and you've chosen white". "Wearing a badge and you're clothed in white".
My interpretation... be wary of authority. It can be immoral. Bigots can be anywhere. In political office, in the fire and police departments, schools, etc. Wearing a badge, of course, denotes authority (police, FBI, DEA, whatever). Clothed in white alludes to the cross-burning Ku Klux Klan. Chosen white is a metaphor for choosing the "good guys" or societal norms. Engaging in bigotry because you embrace the laws and rules which are inherently bigoted, without questioning their morality. The protagonist announces he can see through the deception. He's enlightened, and disagrees with the injustice he sees. He's going to play by his own rules.
I think it's about how cops ignore and even cover-up hate crimes, because they either agree with, or collaborate with, the murderers.
Actually, the line a few of you are referring to says:
"Some of those that WORK forces, are the same that burn crosses".
Like deltajoy said, it's not just about police brutality either. White supremists are everywhere including the police force, the military, etc etc.
@Mermaidtree correct. White supremacists ARE everywhere. Behind bushes, in your head, up your skirt and even directing BLM and NAACP. Be very afraid.
@Mermaidtree correct. White supremacists ARE everywhere. Behind bushes, in your head, up your skirt and even directing BLM and NAACP. Be very afraid.
@Mermaidtree forces can technically be ANYTHING r ANYONE that's actively working against you. "are the same that bear crosses" so whatevers or whomever is working against you, also has there own troubles. looking back at this song, it almost describes the ULTRA WOKE Cancel Culture. so has your cheering while another poor soul is snuffed out, take a pause and say a prayer it doesn't come for you next. the woke always eat there own.
@Mermaidtree forces can technically be ANYTHING r ANYONE that's actively working against you. "are the same that bear crosses" so whatevers or whomever is working against you, also has there own troubles. looking back at this song, it almost describes the ULTRA WOKE Cancel Culture. so has your cheering while another poor soul is snuffed out, take a pause and say a prayer it doesn't come for you next. the woke always eat there own.
The song appears under two different names. Depending on whether you look at the album tracklist, the single or compilations etc, it is either Killing in the Name, or Killing in the Name Of.
I agree with the meanings posted here about police brutality, white supremicy, and non-conformity. An interesting note, when this song came out many people took the Fuck you I wont do what you tell as a kind of anarchy call to disobey everything. This was not the bands intention and Zach has been extra carefull about his lyrics ever since.
staleph1sh, you are right about them being super leftist and anti capatalist but they are not anarchist. And you will have a tough time seeing them live because they broke up over a year ago.......sorry.
true but they promised a free show in the UK in 2010...
true but they promised a free show in the UK in 2010...
Before I knew it was "the chosen whites", I thought it was "the chose ones", so I thought this song to be killing in the name of God or a god. But that doesn't matter now. I also see this song as about police brutality, and about cross-burners being police, but whose name are they killing in the name of now?
delta joy i agree with you on the idea of what the song is about, but on a rather political note, what the fuck are you talking about... with mumia abu jamal, he is a convicted cop killer, there is nothing else to it, where was the police brutality or discrimination in that?
I completely agree with Mermaidtree on the meaning of this song...very well put...and the lyrics you can clearly hear him say those lyrics in the song thanks
i think delta joy was referring to the case of amadu dialo (sp?). that would seem logical.