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Killing in the Name

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Horkana (talk | contribs) at 17:26, 3 January 2010 (Restore Live Performance section. Includes notable bits about Audioslave using the song riffs as well as RATM variations in the lyrics for some live performances). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Killing in the Name"
Song

"Killing in the Name" is a song by American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, featured on their 1992 self-titled debut album. Released as the lead single from the album in November 1992, the song reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart and in 2009 it became the official UK Christmas number one.

Written about revolution against racism in security agencies, "Killing in the Name" is widely recognised as the band's signature song, and has been noted for its distinctive guitar riffs and heavy use of strong language.

In 2009 the song was part of a successful Facebook campaign to prevent The X Factor winner's song from gaining the Christmas number one in the UK. The campaign provoked commentary from both groups and other musicians, as well as gaining coverage in national press. The song became the first single to reach Christmas number one spot on downloads alone.

Song

"Killing in the Name" has been described as "a howling, expletive-driven tirade against the ills of American society."[1] The song repeats six lines of lyrics that focus on racism in security agencies with the refrain, "Some of those who work forces, are the same who burn crosses," an allusion to cross-burning by the Ku Klux Klan. The uncensored version contains the word "fuck" seventeen times.[2] The song builds in intensity, repeating the lines "And now you do what they told ya. And now you're under control" culminating in Zack de la Rocha screaming "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me! Motherfucker!".[3]

The song lyrics reference the allegation that some members of US police forces are members of the Ku Klux Klan organization, whose symbol is the burning cross. The BBC News website refers to it as railing against "the military-industrial complex, justifying killing for the benefit of, as the song puts it, the chosen whites."[4][5][6]

"Killing in the Name" was originally written and recorded shortly after Rage Against The Machine formed as part of a 12 song self-released cassette. After signing with Epic Records the band released their self titled debut album, which reached triple platinum status, driven by heavy radio play of "Killing in the Name".[2]

Rage Against the Machine's first video for "Killing in the Name" did not receive heavy airplay in the US due to the explicit language in the song's refrain. The song received substantial airplay in Europe and drove the band's popularity outside its home country.[7]

Writing

Tom Morello created the heavier riffs while teaching a student drop D tuning. He stopped the lesson and recorded the riff.[8] The next day the band met in a studio and according to Morello the song "Killing in the Name" was created in a collaborative effort, combining his riff with "Timmy C.'s magmalike bass, Brad Wilk's funky, brutal drumming and Zack's conviction".[9]

This song was performed as an extended instrumental at their first public performance at Cal State in the Quad, on October 23, 1991.

Live performances

The song was performed as an extended instrumental at their first public performance at Cal State in the Quad, on October 23, 1991.

Zack de la Rocha sometimes changes the lyrics in the second verse from "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses" to "Some of those that burn crosses are the same that hold office" when playing live.[10]

As part of supergroup Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello incorporated instrumentals from Rage Against the Machine, and cover versions of Killing in the Name into their performances.[11]

Rage Against the Machine performed the song live in 1999 at the Woodstock '99 festival, burning the American flag during the song.[12]

Single

Epic Records released Rage Against the Machine's self titled debut album on November 6, 1992. The album included the singles "Killing in the Name", "Freedom" and "Take the Power Back".[7]

Single track listing:

  1. "Killing in the Name"
  2. "Darkness"
  3. "Clear the Lane"

"Darkness" and "Clear the Lane" were re-mastered versions of the respective demo tracks.

The album's cover featured Malcolm Browne's Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Thích Quảng Đức, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, burning himself to death in Saigon in 1963 in protest of the murder of Buddhists by the US-backed Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm's regime.

Music video

The video, produced and directed by Peter Gideon, a guitar student of Tom Morello who had a video camera, was filmed during two shows in small Los Angeles venues, the Whisky a Go Go and the Club With No Name. Released in December 1992, (the uncensored version of) the video clip was shown on European MTV but was banned on American MTV because of the explicit lyrics. As a result the video's existence was in doubt until its release on the self-titled video.

United Kingdom

Earlier controversies

The song earned its notoriety in the United Kingdom in 1993 when BBC Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes played the uncensored version of the song on his Top 40 countdown, leading to 138 complaints.[13] This moment of infamy has since been consistently referenced by numerous British rock media.[citation needed]

The song drew controversy again in Britain on November 2008, when it was played over the speakers in an Asda supermarket in Preston, Lancashire, prompting numerous customers complaints.[14][15]

2009 Christmas Number One campaign

In early December 2009, Jon and Tracy Morter launched a group on the social networking site Facebook encouraging people to buy the song in the week running up to Christmas in order to prevent the winner of the The X Factor TV show from achieving the coveted Christmas number one slot in the UK Singles Chart for the fifth year running and have "Killing in the Name" as Christmas Number One.[16][17] On December 15 the BBC reported the group has over 950,000 members.[18]

Alongside the group, a JustGiving page was created to raise money for UK homeless charity Shelter which, as of 20 December, was reported to have raised over £70,000 (approximately $110,000).[19]

After the creator of The X Factor, Simon Cowell, publicly denounced the campaign as "stupid" and "cynical", the group has been mentioned on various UK news channels, radio stations and website blogs.[20]

The campaign has also been supported by Rage Against the Machine themselves. Guitarist Tom Morello said that achieving the Christmas number one would be a "wonderful dose of anarchy" and that he plans to donate some of the unexpected windfall to charity.[21][22] Musicians Dave Grohl, Liam Howlett, Paul McCartney, X Factor contestants John & Edward[23] and the band Muse[24] also pledged their support for the campaign.[25][26][27] Comedians Stephen Fry, Ross Noble and Bill Bailey are also among the celebrity supporters of the campaign. [27][28] It was also noted that both The X Factor and Rage Against the Machine are signed to labels that are part of Sony BMG.[18][29][30]

The band created controversy when they performed an uncensored rendition of the song on BBC Radio 5Live despite the hosts asking them to censor the expletive end. During the crescendo of their performance, frontman Zack De La Rocha screamed the lyrics, "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" repeatedly. Hosts Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty apologised afterwards.[31][21][32]

On 17 December, it was reported that most bookmakers had suspended betting, with Ladbrokes announcing that "Killing in the Name" was favourite.[33][34] This was later retracted, with Ladbrokes reinstating X Factor winner Joe McElderry as favourite.[35] After two days of sales, "Killing in the Name" was reported to be ahead by 10%, resulting in at least one major bookmaker re-opening its betting market for Christmas Number One.[18] Further midweek chart figures released on December 16 suggested "Killing in the Name" had widened the gap at the top of the charts to approximately 65,000 copies. Industry experts expected the physical CD release of McElderry's "The Climb" on Wednesday would help provide it with a big sales boost.[36][37] On December 17, a representative of HMV said Rage Against the Machine were still ahead, but only by "a few thousand" copies.[38] On December 19, the final day that sales were eligible for inclusion in the chart, NME announced that The X Factor single was outselling Rage Against the Machine by 11,000 copies. The same article included a statement from McElderry, in which he described "Killing in the Name" as "dreadful".[39]

The track successfully reached the number one spot as revealed on BBC Radio 1 on December 20, 2009, selling over 500,000 copies and being the first exclusively download-only single to hit number one in the process.[19] A BBC spokesperson said BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music would continue to play the clean edit of “Killing in the Name” which cuts out the 17 swearwords at the end of the song. BBC Radio 2 will not play the Rage Against the Machine track but will play rival Joe McElderry's "The Climb" that reached #2.[19]

After staying for a week at the top spot, 'Killing In The Name' dropped to #2 and was replaced at the #1 spot by Joe McElderry's cover of the song 'The Climb' which become the last British #1 single of 2009 and the decade.

On the 3rd January 2010 the song dropped a massive 38 places to #40.

Charts

Wikinews has related news:
Chart Year Position
UK Singles Chart 1992
25
Irish Singles Chart[40] 2009
2
UK Singles Chart[19] 2009
1
European Hot 100 Singles[41] 2009
4
Chart (2000-2009) Peak
position
UK Top 100 Songs of the Decade 36[42]

Other appearances

An image of George W. Bush stencilled in light blue with the words "Killing in the Name of" written above it.
Lyrics from "Killing in the Name" appear throughout popular culture.
  • During one of his last performances[specify], American comedian Bill Hicks ended a set by smashing his microphone against a stool while singing along to "Killing in the Name" playing over the loudspeakers.[43]

Cover versions

  • On 22 August 2008, Scottish alt-rock band Biffy Clyro performed a re-worked acoustic cover version of "Killing in the Name" on Jo Whiley's Show at The Reading Festival on BBC Radio 1.[49] The band agreed that, for this live broadcast, they would not use expletives and sung just the melody in place of "Fuck you" in the song. The crowd were bound by no such agreement and began an impromptu mass sing along with "Fuck you" in place, audible by the recording equipment. As this broadcast was going out live at lunchtime, Jo Whiley was required to apologize on air after the performance.[citation needed]
  • In 2008 Icelandic electronica group FM Belfast released a single called "Lotus", a minimal electro cover version of Killing in the Name.[50]

Recognition

  • In July 2009, "Killing in the Name" was voted at number #2 in the Hottest 100 of all time countdown poll, conducted by Australian radio station, Triple J. More than half a million votes were cast in.[8]
  • "Killing in the Name" earned a spot on Guitar World's list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" at #89.[51]
  • Rolling Stone lists "Killing in the Name" as the 24th in its 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.[9]

Video games

  • A note-for-note cover version of "Killing in the Name" is a playable song in the Guitar Hero II video game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, as a part of the main song list. It is found in the fifth song tier, Return of the Shred, in the PS2 version and in the sixth tier, Relentless Riffs, in the Xbox 360 version. The song's lyrics are altered to remove the expletives, replacing the sentence repeated 16 times "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" with "Now you're under control, I won't do what you tell me", and the word "Motherfucker" near the end with "Under control".[53]

Credits

References

  1. ^ Buckley, Peter (2003). The rough guide to rock. Rough Guides. p. 844. ISBN 9781843531050.
  2. ^ a b "The History Of: Rage Against The Machine". Ulimate Guitar. 2007-07-27. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  3. ^ Laura L. Finley (2002-03-09). "The Lyrics of Rage Against the Machine: A Study in Radical Criminology,". Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture. Western Michigan University: JCJPC. ISSN 1070-8286. Archived from the original on 2002-10-15. Retrieved 2009-12-17.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ "What is anti-X Factor song Killing In The Name all about?". BBC. 2009-12-18. Archived from the original on 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  5. ^ Savage, Mark (16 December 2009). "What the critics say: X Factor chart battle". Quoting Luke Lewis of NME. BBC. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
  6. ^ McIver, Joel (2002). Nu-metal: the next generation of rock & punk. Omnibus Press. p. 104. ISBN 0711992096.
  7. ^ a b Sonya Shelton (2009-11-16). "Rage Against the Machine Biography: Contemporary Musicians". eNotes. Retrieved 2009-12-17. (PDF)
  8. ^ a b "Countdown: Hottest 100 - Off All Time". Triple J. 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  9. ^ a b Austin Scaggs (2002-12-16). "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone (magazine). Archived from the original on 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  10. ^ Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name Of on YouTube. Retrieved 2009-12-21. Acapella performance Live from the Republican National Convention (2009-08-02). Presented by Above-TheFold.com
  11. ^ Chris Harris (2005-04-18). "Audioslave Performing Rage, Soundgarden Material At Shows. 'Black Hole Sun,' 'Killing in the Name' among songs played recently". Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  12. ^ Killing In The Name (Live Woodstock '99) on YouTube. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  13. ^ John Robinson (2000-01-29). "The revolution will not be trivialised". New Musical Express. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  14. ^ Robin Murray (2008-11-19). "Rage Against the Machine row". clashmusic.com. Idiomag.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  15. ^ November 19, 2008. Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name' sparks Asda furore
  16. ^ "Rage Against The Machine to take on 'The X Factor' for Christmas Number One". New Musical Express. 2009-12-04. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  17. ^ Johnny Famethrowa (2009-12-04). "Rage Against The "X-Factor"". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  18. ^ a b c "Rock anthem outselling X Factor winner Joe McElderry". BBC. 2009-12-15. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  19. ^ a b c d "Rage Against the Machine beat X Factor winner in charts". BBC. 2009-12-20. Archived from the original on 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2009-12-20. The Los Angeles rock band's hit also set two records: it is the first single to reach the top of the Christmas charts on download sales alone and has achieved the biggest download sales total in a first week ever in the UK charts. Cite error: The named reference "bbc-rage" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  20. ^ Liz Thomas (2009-12-11). "Future of X Factor in chaos as Simon Cowell demands more money to return show to ITV". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2009-12-17. [Simon Cowell] The X Factor creator and judge said the Facebook campaign, which he saw as a personal vendetta against him, was 'cynical' and 'dismissive' of the show's viewers.
  21. ^ a b ""Rage Against The Machine swear on 5 live"". BBC News. BBC Corp. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2009-12-17. Well, we were expecting it and asked them not to do it and they did it anyway - so buy Joe's record.
  22. ^ "Rage Against The Machine's Morello praises chart race". BBC News. BBC Corp. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2009-12-17. Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello has said that beating the X Factor single to Christmas number one will be a "wonderful dose of anarchy".
  23. ^ Jonny Greatrex (2009-12-19). "X Factor's Jedward support Rage Against The Machine in battle with Joe McElderry to Christmas Number One". The Sunday Mercury online. Retrieved 2009-12-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Dominic Howard's MySpace blog
  25. ^ Scott Colothan (2009-12-17). "Dave Grohl: 'I'm Buying Rage Against The Machine'". Gigwise.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  26. ^ "Liam Howlett: 'Rage Against The Machine'". TheProdigy.com. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2009-12-16. this is the biggest rise up against the ' industry manufactured shite ' in years and thats why its important --- and fukin funny at the same time act now.
  27. ^ a b Scott Colothan (2009-12-16). "The Prodigy: 'Rise Up Against The X Factor And Buy Rage Against The Machine'". Gigwise.com. Retrieved 2009-12-17. As some proceeds of the X Factor song are going to charity, those pledging their support to the RATM campaign can donate to Shelter - a charity helping the homeless
  28. ^ Steve Hargrave (2009-12-18). "Macca Backs Rage Against X Factor No 1". Sky News. British Sky Broadcasting. Retrieved 2009-12-18. He's just some kid with a career ahead. I've got nothing against that, but it would be kind of funny if Rage Against The Machine got it because it would prove a point.
  29. ^ Brian Boyd (2009-12-18). "Sony the ultimate winner in rage against the X Factor machine on music". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2009-12-21. The great irony [...] is that both the gormless Joe McElderry and everyone's favourite alt.metal anarcho-rockers are signed to the same label
  30. ^ Sam Jones (2009-12-15). "Rage against Cowell fuels battle for Christmas No 1". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-12-16. Whoever wins, though, the bosses of Sony Music will doubtless be full of festive cheer as both McElderry and Rage Against the Machine are signed to labels owned by the recording behemoth.
  31. ^ Alex Fletcher (2009-12-17). "RATM swear during 5Live performance". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-12-20. He also disputed claims that their track reaching number one would benefit Simon Cowell as it is released by Sony Records.
  32. ^ Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Video Full and Uncensored on YouTube.Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  33. ^ Robin Scott. "Music: Rage Against the Machine Second Favourites for UK Christmas Number 1". Daily Mail. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  34. ^ "Rage Against The Machine swear on 5 live". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  35. ^ Ben Cardew. "Xmas race goes to the wire". Music Week. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
  36. ^ "Rage Against The Machine beating 'X Factor' by 65,000 sales in Christmas Number One race". New Musical Express. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  37. ^ "Rage Against The Machine widen gap over X Factor's Joe McElderry". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-12-17. [dead link] Joe McElderry losing Christmas number one race to Rage Against The Machine
  38. ^ "Rage Against the Machine for Christmas No 1: The celebrities wade in". The Guardian. 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2009-12-18.
  39. ^ "X Factor's Joe McElderry brands Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name Of' 'dreadful'". New Musical Express. 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  40. ^ Daniel Kilkelly (2009-12-18). "Joe McElderry beats Rage in Ireland". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
  41. ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-hot-100
  42. ^ Nihal (2009-12-30). "Christmas and New Year on Radio 1, Chart of the Decade". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  43. ^ Hicks, Bill (2004). [[Love All the People: Letters, Lyrics, Routines]]. Foreword, Lahr. p. xxvi. ISBN 1-84119-878-1 (UK edition), ISBN 1-932360-65-4 (US edition). {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help); URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  44. ^ Zane Lowe (2007-07-19). "BBC - Radio 1 - Zane Lowe - Tracklisting". BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  45. ^ The Apples - Killing (7", Single, Promo) at Discogs. The Apples - Killing on YouTube
  46. ^ "The Apples – Killing". 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  47. ^ "The Apples - WOMAD Festival". 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-21.. Article includes Introducing The Apples on YouTube
  48. ^ Paul Lester (2007-11-14). "New band of the day. No 226: The Apples". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  49. ^ Julian Marshall (2008-08-22). "Reading/Leeds Festivals under way". Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  50. ^ FM Belfast - Killing In The Name Of (Lotus) (12") at Discogs
  51. ^ Dan Cross (2007-07-19). "100 Greatest Guitar Solos Part 9: Guitar Solos Number 81 - 90". Guitar World. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  52. ^ Tor Thorsen (2004-10-26). "Full San Andreas soundtrack details". Game Spot. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
  53. ^ Chris Roper (2006-10-09). "Guitar Hero II Final Tracklist Revealed. It's official: From Aerosmith to the Rolling Stones to RATM, all 40 licensed tracks unveiled". Game Spot. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rage Against the Machine.


Preceded by United Kingdom Christmas number-one single
2009 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by UK Singles Chart number-one single
December 20, 2009 – December 27, 2009 		Succeeded by
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