Guerrilla Radio

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"Guerrilla Radio"

Single by Rage Against the Machine
from the album The Battle of Los Angeles
Released	1999
Format	CD, 7", 12"
Genre	Rapcore Alternative Metal
Length	3 min 26 s
Producer(s)	artist Brendan O'Brien
Rage Against the Machine singles chronology
"No Shelter" (1998)	"Guerrilla Radio" (1999)	"Sleep Now in the Fire" (2000)

"Guerrilla Radio" is the second track from the 1999 album The Battle of Los Angeles by the band Rage Against the Machine. Guitarist Tom Morello displays his skills of guitar effects in the solo, which sounds like a harmonica.

This song is about the 2000 US presidential Election, and in particular the way media shaped the campaigns of the two competitors, George Bush and Al Gore. The line "More for Gore or the son of a drug lord" refers to the discovery that, while George Bush Sr. was President, the CIA was supplying drugs to inner city areas. This song is a statement about the worthlessness of democracy in the United States. Since the people don't truly understand "choice" and are only able to grasp a small glimpse of those running to represent them in office, they are unconsciously under a one-party system. The band is using music and sound as a weapon against such "low intensity warfare."

This was the first single from The Battle of Los Angeles, and is the most recognizable as their sound in relation to their past releases. It's basically a manifestation of the band's goal and purpose, acting as "guerrilla radio" to alert the masses of the change to radical ideas.

The song was covered by lounge/comedy group Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine, whose band name also spoofs Rage.