Killing in the Name

Song Meaning of Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine

The song that would become RATM’s breakthrough anthem.

"Killing in the Name" is a protest song by American rock band Rage Against the Machine, and appears on their 1992 self-titled debut album.

It was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992.

The song contains direct, fervent lyrics protesting police brutality and racist police officers, and features heavy drop-D guitar riffs, with the lyrics inspired by the police beating suffered by Rodney King and the subsequent 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Tom Morello wrote the guitar riffs while teaching a student drop D tuning; he briefly paused the lesson to record the riff. The band worked on the song the next day.

"Killing in the Name" reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart.

In 2009, following a campaign protesting the British talent show The X Factor, "Killing in the Name" reached the UK Christmas number one.

Lyrics of Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine

Killing in the name of

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Huh!

Killing in the name of

Killing in the name of

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

But now you do what they told ya

Well now you do what they told ya

Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses

Uggh!

Killing in the name of

Killing in the name of

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

And now you do what they told ya!

Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites

Come on!

Yeah! Come on!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!

Motherfucker!

Uggh!