Killing in the Name
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| "Killing in the Name" | ||
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| Single by Rage Against the Machine | ||
| from the album Rage Against the Machine | ||
| Released | 1993 | |
| Format | CD, 7", 12" | |
| Genre | Rap/Metal | |
| Length | 5 min 14 s | |
| Label | Pid | |
| Producer(s) | Garth "GGGarth" Richardson, Rage Against the Machine | |
| Rage Against the Machine singles chronology | ||
| "Killing in the Name" (1993) |
"Bombtrack" (1993) |
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"Killing in the Name" was the first single released by Rage Against the Machine from their eponymous album, and is one of the band's signature songs. On 31 August 1999, it was reissued together with two previously unreleased tracks, "Darkness of Greed" and "Clear the Lane".
The lyrics allege that some members of law enforcement in the United States are also members of Ku Klux Klan: "Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses". Zack De La Rocha's tone suggests that racism in law enforcement is nothing new yet tantamount to government racism. The song's verses are built around the same few lines repeated several times, building up a crescendo. The last line has become rather notorious: "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!" shouted repeatedly, most likely referring to the oppressive KKK groups the song is aimed at, but also a message of rebellion to the American government as a whole.
The guitar solo by Tom Morello features heavy use of a Digitech Whammy pitch shifter which Morello frequently uses to produce his trademark sounds.
British DJ Bruno Brookes once "accidentally" played the full, uncensored version (which contains the phrase "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!" 16 times followed by "motherfucker") on the BBC Radio 1 Top 40 singles show.
"Killing in the Name" is featured on fictional alternative rock station Radio X in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, as well as a playable track in Guitar Hero II.
An altered version of the song, in which Zack de la Rocha says "Some of those that burn crosses, are the same who hold office" in the second verse, was played at the Olympic Grand Stadium and the Democratic National Convention. There was another altered version, performed at Woodstock '99, in which Zack de la Rocha says, "Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn churches." The band would sometimes burn an American Flag during performances of the song.
In March 2005, Q magazine placed "Killing in the Name" at number 24 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks.
The band Audioslave incorporates several members of Rage Against the Machine and has played the song at multiple shows.
