Rise Against - Worth Dying For

Rise Against - Worth Dying For

Set me off like dynamite strapped tight around my waist
We are the ones in competition but claim this ain't no race


(Let's go!)


Take a breath and explode like bullets tearing through the wind
Cut me up with a razor blade that tries to separate the skin


Now in the
White flames of burning flags we
found a world worth dying for, yeah
We've been battered so hard that we don't


-Ian Ihde
feel anymore


Take me
From this world
Save me
What if we
All die young?
So take me
From this world
Save me
What if we
All die young?


Send me off on the morning breeze so far away from here
Feel me rise in the strength I've found inside the warm embracing air
I'm moving slow
Like a glacier melting watch me dissipate
I searched for love in an empty world but all I found was hate


Now in the
White flames of burning flags we
found a world worth dying for, yeah
We've been battered so hard that we don't
feel anymore


Take me
From this world
Save me
What if we
All die young?
So take me
From this world
Save me
What if we
All die young?


Don't ask me why
'Cuz I don't know
Don't ask me how
I'm gonna solve this on my own
Don't ask me why
'Cuz I don't know
These things I've never faced
Scratch out, but won't erase


In the wreckage of a job well done
I saw a place I'd never seen before, yeah
And that moment I refused to close my eyes anymore


So take me
From this world
Save me
What if we
All die young?
So take me
From this world
Save me
What if we
All die young?


So take me [2x]

This song talks of reclaiming a world which has been tainted by people and governments.  It says that this world is a "World worth dying for" and contains numerous revolutionary images, including "white flames of burning flags," and "set me off like dynamite strapped tight around my waist."  This is just another Rise Against song that encourages people to take a stand in the world.


-Ian Ihde

Rise Against - Bricks

Rise Against - Bricks

Lyrics
When faith alone is not enough,
To keep our heads barely above,
We look for reason and come up empty-handed.
And when our children fight our wars,
While we sit back just keeping score,
We're teaching murder not understanding now.

We're setting the fires to light the way,
We're burning it all to begin again,
With hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands,
We sing for change

The lives our buried sons have laid,
Won't cancel debts we've yet to pay,
In death, we justify anything now,
As long as we blindly obey and do exactly what they say,
We'll have no one to blame, but ourselves now.

We're setting the fires to light the way,
We're burning it all to begin again,
With hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands,
We sing for change.

We run on the fumes of injustice,
We'll never die with the fuel that you give us,
Keep it coming 'cause I'm prepared to burn,
Keep running, find me at every turn.

Your life around,
(into something true, into something true)
So turn your life around,
(into something true, something true)

We're setting the fires to light the way,
We're burning it all to begin again,
With hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands,
We sing for change.

The lyrics of this song are very revolutionary in nature. With the repeated words "We sing for change" throughout, it's hard not to think of it as calling for a revolution. The words "We're setting the fires to light the way, We're burning it all to begin again, with hope in our hearts and bricks in our hands," it is clear that the message that Rise Against is trying to get across is nothing short of anarchist.

-Ian Ihde

Ghost Mice

Ghost Mice is a folk-punk band that considers themselves anarchists.  The band says, "We sing a mix of personal and political lyrics, we are anarchist, we are dedicated to the DIY ethic and the struggle to make the world a better place."  Unlike many other anarchist bands, Ghost Mice sings optimistically, looking to teach its listeners important lessons about life, and is also in a lighter genre.  They also sing about their visions for stable anarchist societies, but do not bash the government as other anarchist bands typically do.  Ghost Mice says, "We play music and travel for fun and to meet new people. Music is our lives. We love travel. We are nice and a little shy."  And from that quote, we can see another side of anarchism in music.

- DEREK HOLDEN

Jonny 5 + Yak (Predecessor to the band "Flobots") - Onomatopoeia

Jonny 5 + Yak (Predecessor to the band "Flobots") - Onomatopoeia
Lyrics:


East Timorese, Guatemala and Mumia. The beast seems to reach where they've got a walletful of wealth, so COINTELPRO police goin' to hell "NO JUSTICE NO PEACE" is the onomatopoeia.

Well, anyway, somehow hip hop's no fun now. It's all been done now. So I stall my puns, wow.
But then I recall my one vow is to bust this bubble of injustice, subtly. What'll we muddle up if we bum rush this plush system? UmÉgood if we crush this one. But maybe puddle's of blood'll be the rebuttle. I stood in the huddle, but would I risk lung trouble? Could I lift guns that'll take life? 'Cause there isn't a stunt double or a fake knife. So should I just run cuddle up with a great wife and make life-erotically perpetuating paradise on the late night, melodically. U.S. invading places like we got a key to every door. The people never see the war when we plan to slaughter smaller villages, killing woman to man to daughter. All of us'd really feel ill if we knew who we hand a lot of dollars to, so my soliloquy is bananas-- like Guatamala. Hands Off Asaata! While ya'll feast in the belly of the hairy beast, somebody better free Mumia, at the very least, release Leonard Peltier. Try to keep the peace by yourself. Where can you police the police? East Timorese health care fees increased. I wonder how it felt there when bombs scorched the nation with Tomohawk contracts from Textron (checks for the next welfare mom corporation).

East Timorese, Guatemala and Mumia. The beast seems to reach where they've got a walletful of wealth, so COINTELPRO police goin' to hell "NO JUSTICE NO PEACE" is the onomatopoeia.

D.A.R.E. Drugs Are Really Expensive. Drug Availability Reflects Extensive Dependence. And Real Educated Descendants are Able to Respect Even Deadbeat's Amendments. Racist Enforcement Deployed Aggressively. RED-blooded Americans React Excessively, Directly Attacking Recreation, Eventually Destroying A Relatively Elementary Drive to Alter Reality, Essentially Dimension Advancement; Radical Enhancement. Dangers Are Real--Especially Drinking Alcohol, Right? Except it's Distinctly All Right: Elite-Declared Appropriate; Rationalized, Enjoyable. Dope and Ritalin Employable Dose After Red-Eyed Dose. Aboriginal Religions Each Denote A Reincarnation, Exploration, Done Again Re-experience Elation. Drug Abuser Reincarceration Efforts Don't Allow for Rehabilitation. Effect: Does Anybody Really Expect Dealers Are Responsible Exclusively? Deep-seated Apathy Reflects Existing Dissatisfaction: Another Reclusive. D. A. Readily Eradicates. Dramatic Ad's Ridiculously Exaggerate. Drugs Aren't Restricted Evenly. End the War on Drugs immediately

East Timorese, Guatemala and Mumia. The beast seems to reach where they've got a walletful of wealth, so COINTELPRO police goin' to hell "NO JUSTICE NO PEACE" is the onomatopoeia.

"No Justice, No Peace" is one tough phrase in an unjust world, living unjust days. Must gray guns delay stuff from bloomin'? What's the way you can trust to stay human? Cracks in the street, a crease in the sky and it might spell doom but at least I try to keep gloom from whom ever 'til the whole things boomin', zoomin' on in on my blue piece of pie. I have it and eat it too. I need it to inspire me to watch, stay seated through the whole fractal, stay on track 'til the end, treat moments like eternity, learnin' that time bends. Find tens of tendencies in friends and plenty of these blend with trends I see in many of my enemies. "By any means necessary" that's convincing. If you want a house you break the wood fence but believin' in God doesn't make good sense so I listen to the words of a madman,

"--If it's wrong why don't you arrest us?
--Why don't you get out in front of the camera and go on?
--It's not a matter of being in front of the county, it's a matter of facing your Sheriff, and facing your Judge. We're willing to be beaten for democracy!!"

When he turned the other cheek never seen such fiest. Can't wait for peace, he's a fool for Christ, lookin back through the last two millenniums of similar minds, and life's not fair but they're kind. Waiting for justice is just too gradual. My natural sound's got to be more radical:10,000 pacifists-- top rank is a lunatic starin' down a tank.

East Timorese, Guatemala and Mumia. The beast seems to reach where they've got a walletful of wealth, so COINTELPRO police goin' to hell "NO JUSTICE NO PEACE" is the onomatopoeia.

A quick read-through of the lyrics of this song shows an obvious revolutionary attitude.  It is very liberal in nature and very strongly pro-rights of the individual.  It talks about problems, issues, and revolutions going on around the world and many things that the writer (Jaimie Laurie) dislikes about how the United States government functions.  While revolutionary, this song specifically supports a peaceful resolution to the conflicts and problems it addresses.  Going through other lyrics written by Jamie and the rest of the Flobots, shows a very strong will to make a change in society.

-Ian Ihde

Refused Party Program

Refused- Refused Party Program


Lyrics:

[Spoken:]
In the wake of our existence, in our parades and in our dances;
touch, see and behold the wisdom of the party program.
Essential in our lifetime and irresistible in our touch,
the great spirits proclaim that
capitalism is indeed organized crime and we are all the victims.
This next one is called Refused Party Program.

(Analysis:  Expressing frustration with the current economy/system)

This is the pulse, this is the sound
This is the beat of a new generation

(Analysis: Wanting to make change for "a new generation")


This is the movement, this is the rhythm
This is the noise of revolution
Yeah! Yeah! Arrrrh!

(Analysis:  Showing support for a revolutionary movement)

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!


Refused party program
Refused party program
Refused party program
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Yeah!


Although not necessarily the textbook example of "Anarchist" this song definitely voices strong opinions about Capitalism and wanting a revolution.  The "Refused Party Program" refers to a fictitious, or possibly metaphorical, political party that promotes radical change.

-Ian Ihde

Peregrine - Reduced to Ashes

Lyrics for Peregrine's "Reduced to Ashes":

Rendition of WSEE (CBS affiliate) in Erie, PA newscast on Sept. 9^th while Kevin being subpoenaed by the FBI to appear before the Grand Jury was front page news:....

So what does E.L.F. want? Why are they committing these criminal acts? We spoke to a local terrorism expert [Dr. Jeffrey Bloodworth] at Gannon University.....

.. ..

“They're against modernity, they're against the 20th century if you read their literature they intend, Kevin Tucker if you read what he says, wants society to devolve back into small hunter gathering clans. They call themselves anarchists and they believe modern society is oppressive.” ....

.. ..

Under the night, beyond their eyes, the ghosts of wildness smile upon us now. Words we can not say now turned to action. And in the morning, they’ll see this war has two sides. ....

For all that exist, for all that has been cleared away. Exposed machinery tonight will be consumed in flames. These actions negate your legality. The hand of Progress has been stayed. ....

Shackles, interrogation, their prisons, their profits; their jails detain, but they can’t kill this rage. ....

For all the rivers, for all the lives lost, for all the cages, for all the oil spilt; this contagious disease, all the needless blood spilt. For all the mines, for the industry, for all the toxins, for this misery; for all their laws, for our ancestors, for all of those maligned by history.....

Reduced to ashes. Reduced to ashes, their world, this throne to Progress. Reduced to ashes, their dreams of conquest complete. ....

And there’s no conceit to think that this war has been won. For every fire set, for every animal unleashed; these acts remind us, of our own need to be free. Our time will come and this fight is ours. ....

Reduced to ashes our time will come. Reduced to ashes their progress lies undone.....

This song appeals to a more radical and violent form of anarchy.  It talks of negating legality, unleashing animals, setting fires, and reducing things to ashes.  It speaks out against "Progress", pollution, and needless killing in the form of war.  In the quote that mentions Kevin Tucker, an anarcho-primitivist writer and speaker, we find:  "They call themselves anarchists and they believe modern society is oppressive."  From the lyrics that follow we can assert that Kevin Tucker and anarchism is being defended by the band.  They clearly believe modern society is oppressive and they speak of fighting against it.  They also say, "Words we can not say now turned to action."  It's hard to tell whether the band actually advocates such radical anarchism or if it's just appealing to it.  After all, the band is not out starting fires and wrecking havoc; they are merely writing songs and playing music.  Maybe the band looks up to people who literally fight for the cause but they are not willing to physically defend it themselves.  Or maybe it's just a more harsh and stimulating way to approach their anarchist music than merely pointing out the government's flaws as so many other artists do.  It could be meant to attract more attention.

 - DEREK HOLDEN

Peregrine - You've Been Warned

Peregrine is a heavy metal band with anarchist roots.  The song "You've Been Warned" is a good example of this.  The lyrics are as follows:

Fuck what they taught us, fuck what they say. The other shoe drops spewing the vomit of industry. They can’t save 6 billion victims of their civilized delusions. The pundits, the preachers deny what we say, but the consequence of their logic is suffocating on its last breath. Economic devastation, the collapse of their illusion. They scream for religion, they scream for false hope, anything to look to as the inevitable comes crashing. They built a fortune from their lies. Their palaces worshipped as shrines. Wavering decadance before our eyes, just to keep us all in line. We’re simply pawns in their game. Serving the architects of our lives. Accepting everything will be fine, as domestication keeps us blind. The feeling starts to subside. Elated to recognize. That the death of society, won’t be the end for us all. They’ve taken so much away, yearning to be whole again. The wildness beckoning, setting the soul free. Seeing to the chance to be free, the body follows. The cage eroding, being the final shove. Under the veil of Progress, so much as been stolen away. Stuck with the hollow feeling of what they’ve taken from me. Under the veil of Progress, our earth withers away, they’ve cut and mined all that’s left of me. The lethargic state of our empathy, covers the void of our shattered communities. Beyond their world of lies, is our primal anarchy, accepting that is what sets me free. The course has been set. The path of Progress dead ends. It’s been played out before, the light begins to fade. Unfolding before me, the fabric of domesticity. It’s already begun. The primal is reborn. Like new growth breaking soil. Life stemming from decay. As we shed our fears, wildness shows the way. As it all comes crashing around us now, just know that you’ve been warned.

This song illustrates that government has "taken so much away" from the people.  It talks of "economic devastation" and "palaces", which assures us that the pronoun "they" refers to the government.  The key line in this song is "Beyond their world of lies, is our primal anarchy, accepting that is what sets me free."  This song argues that anarchy is primal and natural and true, as it warns of government's imminent doom.

 - DEREK HOLDEN

Sandinista!

Their next album “Sandinista!” was also extremely political, including songs about not only British politics, but about leftist revolutions around the world, the US draft, and covert military operations. The song “Washington Bullets” was their most specific and extensive political statement where they commented on the tortures occurring in Chile, the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, the revolution in Nicaragua, Soviet killings in Afghanistan, and communist China’s interference in Tibet.

“As every cell in Chile will tell
The cries of the tortured men
Remember Allende, and the days before,
Before the army came
Please remember Victor Jara,
In the Santiago Stadium,
Es verdad - those Washington Bullets again

And in the Bay of Pigs in 1961,
Havana fought the playboy in the Cuban sun,
For Castro is a colour,
Is a redder than red,
Those Washington bullets want Castro dead
For Castro is the colour...
...That will earn you a spray of lead

For the very first time ever,
When they had a revolution in Nicaragua,
There was no interference from America
Human rights in America

Well the people fought the leader,
And up he flew...
With no Washington bullets what else could he do?

'N' if you can find a Afghan rebel
That the Moscow bullets missed
Ask him what he thinks of voting Communist...
...Ask the Dalai Lama in the hills of Tibet,
How many monks did the Chinese get?
In a war-torn swamp stop any mercenary,
'N' check the British bullets in his armoury
Que?
Sandinista!”

Eleni Mitoulis

London Calling

Their most well-known album, “London Calling,” was named number 8 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The title track was partially influenced by the March 1979 nuclear accident on Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. It also comments on rising unemployment, racial conflict, and drug use in Britain. Their lyrics about equality in job opportunities and racial equality are all anarchist ideals.

"The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat tastes so thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning, and I live by the river

London calling to the imitation zone
Forget it, brother, you can go it alone
London calling to the zombies of death
Quit holding out, and draw another breath
London calling, and I don't wanna shoutBut while we were talking, I saw you nodding out
London calling, see we ain't got no Hyde
Except for that one with the yellowy eyes

The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in
Engines stop running, the wheat tastes so thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
'Cause London is drowning, and I live by the river"

Eleni Mitoulis

Leftover Crack

The band Leftover Crack has been described as anarcho-punk.  Its 2004 album Fuck World Trade sparked much controversy, considering the title of the album and also the album cover, which shows  George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Rudy Giuliani standing in front of the towers as the second plane approaches.  Songs speak out about a number of social and political issues, and the band considers themselves, among other things, anarcho-communists.  Anti-Flag made guest appearances on this album as well.  The album was banned by several stores.

 - DEREK HOLDEN

P!NK- Dear Mr.President

In her song, "Dear Mr. President" P!NK focuses on criticizing the President of the United States and all other  politicians as well. The song suggests that the President and all other politicians are simply working for themselves, and not for others. 

 "Dear Mr. President,

Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly."



These lyrics are very deep because the President is looked at as better then the rest of people on earth, and that anything he says is the most important. P!NK single handedly critiques the President by saying "How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?". The song came out while Bush was still  President and he refused to speak to P!NK when he asked about it. Bush became blamed for the economy, and even some blamed him for the terrorist attacks of 9/11. P!NK goes against everything Bush pushed for in her song, and became an anarchist because of it. 
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pink/dearmrpresident.html

- RYAN WINNICK

Green Day- Minority

"I want to be the minority

I don't need your authority
Down with the moral majority
'Cause I want to be the minority

I pledge allegiance to the underworld
One nation under dark
There of which I stand alone
A face in the crowd
Unsung, against the mold
Without a doubt
Singled out
The only way I know"

In this song, Green Day sings about how they do not want to fit in with the "majority", and instead become the "minority". The song is about doing things because YOU want to, not just because everyone is doing them. Green Day pledges to follow their heart and doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks about them, because as long as they are doing what they love, they will be happy. Green Day is part of the pop-punk rebellious movement and continues to produce such punk songs today. 

Motorhead and "Orgasmatron"

It is noteworthy that not only is Motorhead's lead singer, founder, and songwriter, Lemmy, an anarchist, but also that the band covered "Anarchy in the U.K." by  the Sex Pistols, which has been mentioned before as obviously anarchist in nature.

Furthermore is Motorhead's song "Orgasmatron".  The lyrics are as follows:

I am the one, Orgasmatron, the outstretched grasping hand
My image is of agony, my servants rape the land
Obsequious and arrogant, clandestine and vain
Two thousand years of misery, of torture in my name
Hypocrisy made paramount, paranoia the law
My name is called religion, sadistic, sacred whore.
I twist the truth, I rule the world, my crown is called deceit
I am the emperor of lies, you grovel at my feet
I rob you and I slaughter you, your downfall is my gain
And still you play the sycophant and revel in you pain
And all my promises are lies, all my love is hate
I am the politician, and I decide your fate
I march before a martyred world, an army for the fight
I speak of great heroic days, of victory and might
I hold a banner drenched in blood, I urge you to be brave
I lead you to your destiny, I lead you to your grave
Your bones will build my palaces, your eyes will stud my crown
For I am Mars, the god of war, and I will cut you down.

This song is basically a long hyperbole.  We get a bunch of apocalyptic imagery, being led to believe this Orgasmatron is some extraterrestrial monster, and then we're slammed with the truth in a simple statement:  "I am the politician, and I decide your fate".  From "emperor of lies" and "I rule the world" and "my crown is called deceit", we can see that this is no ordinary politician, but one that is high up.  The "servants" that "rape the land" are those who are below this politican and carry out his evil will.  "Two thousand years of misery, of torture in my name" would then lead us to believe that the Orgasmatron is not a single political leader, but rather, a generalization of all the political leaders for a very, very long time.  Therefore, this song is not about just any modern-day politican, or even the president or a king, but the institution of government in general.

 - DEREK HOLDEN

Rise Against- Make It stop (September's Children)

The song “Make It Stop (September’s children) has various different meanings throughout. The song is about how being different such as a being a homosexual, is not accepted in today’s society. The title “Make It Stop” serves one meaning, to put bullying and treating people different to an end.

           

                      “Born free, but still they hate.

Born me, no I can't change.”

These lyrics mean that a person cannot change who they are simply because others begin to hate, and in some cases it can bring them to the edge.

“Bang bang from the closet walls,

The schoolhouse halls,

The shotgun's loaded.

Push me and I'll push back.

I'm done asking, I demand.”

Continuing from the other set of lyrics is that once someone is bullied to their limit for simply just being themselves, they cannot hold it inside anymore. School shootings and violent crimes are a way kids in today’s society release their emotions and feelings.  Rise Against wrote these lyrics I believe in order for those listening, to make it all stop. 

http://www.metrolyrics.com/make-it-stop-lyrics-rise-against.html

- RYAN WINNICK

Green Day

I think someone may have mentioned Green Day previously, but I also wanted to comment on their music. Green Day is infamous for being an alternative punk-rock band that brought about a new style with the emergence of their first singles. As their music progressed, they produced several songs that are very anti-government, especially with that of the American Idiot album.
This album contains a song titled "American Idiot"that feature lyrics against the American government.

"Don't want to be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new media
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind fuck America.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along to the age of paranoia.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
Don't want to be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot America.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue."

This song is directed against the Bush administration, referring to President George Bush as having "a redneck agenda," showing an obvious disagreement to the administration. Singer Billy Joe Armstrong also refers to America as "one nation controlled by the media," meaning that the people are corrupted by the media and what the government allows the media to publish.
Starting the song and repeating the line "Don't wanna be an American idiot," shows the view that America is so corrupted by the Bush administration that it is not even worth being an American, as that makes you appear as an idiot. The song as a whole makes reference to the idea that perhaps Americans have been brainwashed ("subliminal mindfuck America") to believe that we have a good government administration in place, when there are truly flaws.
Green Day does not identify as an anarchist band, but certainly show anti-government messages in their song "American Idiot" by disagreeing with the Bush administration and demonstrating how we are all idiots for voting and believing in this type of government.

-Julianne Fleck

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/greenday/americanidiot.html

Lemmy / Motorhead's "Take the Blame"

Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister, the founder and songwriter of the band Motorhead, as well as musician in it, himself identifies as an anarchist.  He was quoted as saying, "Government causes more problems than it solves."  An example of Lemmy's anarchist beliefs can be found in Motorhead's song "Take the Blame".  The lyrics are as follows:

You can see the way we do it here
You will be alright if you can change
You can be a rich man, you can start to climb.
Get into the rhythm, step into the line.
Politicians eat your words
Prohibition that's a joke
Exhibition of the criminally insane
You can take the money,
but can you take the blame
You can take the money,
but can you take the blame
You can be the new arising star
You can be the super new-wave boy
You can be a tyrant, you can rule by fear
That's the way they like it, stick it in their ear
Politicians eat your words
Prohibition that's a joke
Put your own children in Jail with a shame
You can take the money,
but can you take the blame
You can take the money,
but can you take the blame
Politician swine, you make me wanna puke
Waste my money, waste my time.
going by the book
Education fails no need to teach the poor
They just get in the way, until we have a war.
until we have a war...
You will never sorrow for your friends
You will never miss them for a day
You will be a hero, you will be a king
Get into the money, get into the swing
Politicians eat your words
Prohibition that's a joke
You can't fool everybody, you should be ashamed
You can take the money,
but can you take the blame
You can take the money,
but can you take the blame
See you on TV, you talk and talk and talk
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah
Liars, thieves and dorks
You may be in control,
so how come you're so scared
Is it because you feel, the hatred everywhere,
the hatred everywhere

This song focuses on politicians' rule by fear and money and speaks out harshly against them, saying "Politician swine, you make me wanna puke".  The song implies that they are to blame for something, or more likely, many things, yet they won't take the blame.  They're accused of being hated everywhere and feeling scared because of it.  This song takes a strong stance against government by attacking all who take part in it.

 - DEREK HOLDEN

Eminem- White America

The song “White America” by rapper Eminem is one of his most powerful and controversial songs.  In the song, Eminem talks about how music is censored in today’s society, and parents are not letting their children listen to certain songs. Eminem believes that he should be able to rap about anything, and that anybody should have the say if they want to listen to it or not.  In the line, "I go to TRL look how many hugs I get", he is talking about how his fans of all ages support him, and how there shouldn’t be censorship in the media.  The sense of sarcasm when he says, “How many people are proud to be citizens of this beautiful Country of ours?” just goes to show how much he thinks the government is a joke. Eminem has no limits and since he does not believe in censorship, expresses his TRUE feelings. 

http://www.lyricinterpretations.com/Eminem/White-America

- RYAN WINNICK

Flux Of Pink Indians (Some Of Us Scream, Some Of Us Shout)

The heavy hitting anarcho-punk English band first started producing songs in 1980. Violinist Colin Birkett, his brother Derek, drummer Martin Wilson and guitarist Kevin Hunter made up the band. The band provided a mixture of funk and protest tunes to their audience. The band only released 3 LP’s, with one being banned in select stores. Their 2^nd LP titled, “The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks”, was very offensive based on the title alone.  To date it is still one of the most offensive and vulgar album titles ever to be produced. In their hit song titled “Some Of Us Scream, Some Of Us Shout”, the Flux Of Pink Indians sing about war, and what society thinks is acceptable.

            “billions spent on destroying the world while millions starve, where did we go wrong?

where did we go wrong? maybe you don't think that this is wrong?we as one are saying

feed starving people

             fuck your bombs”

Just from these lyrics above you can see what they thought of the government and the idea of spending money for war, rather then spending it on those in need. The Flux Of Pink Indians never did reach their goal of becoming super stars, but along the road revolted, protested and said everything they wanted to their fans. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gqL0wcGlFM

- RYAN WINNICK

Impeach the President

Immortal Techniques song “Impeach the President” takes a stab at George Bush. The first verse, by Saigon, claims he should find Osama himself, he’s the reason the 9/11 planes got hijacked, and hesitated during Katrina. The song is full of suggestions on what Bush could or should have done better. The entire chorus is the line “impeach the president”. He recognizes the connection between America and Al-Qaeda and says that Dick Cheney is the puppet master over Bush. This song makes bold statements and the whole subject of the song is impeachment. “Impeach the President” holds controversy and is one of the more powerful rap songs to be against the government.

(Saigon)
When tupac comes back the beef is on, W.
You wonder why the Black and Latin people don't love ya,
well I'm first, we can start with the church,
you're politicizing religion, you and your father's the worst.
And um, next: Ya'll took welfare cheques,
give us diseases and then collect health care debts?
(Whatever, what else?)
You only think about yourself,
You sendin' niggas to war while your rifle is on the shelf
George, you're something else.
Osama, (???)
1000 times worser than you, find him your fucking self.
And why act like you care about the troops in Iraq
'cause if you did, you would let them fly back.
It's because of you that those planes got hijacked,
You're also the reason Katrina victims had to die like that.
They say you was hesitant, we say you was negligent.
It's about time for niggas to

(Chorus)
Impeach the President
Impeach the President
Impeach the President
Impeach the President


(M-1)
How many times do I gotta state my position
Before ya'll say "This lip service, he's wishin'."
I been organizing, I've got a thousand petitions
Been up before sunrise, writing. I'm on a mission.
If I could be president, I would lower the rent
And make stic.man my secretary of defense.
My whole cabinet would be niggas who ain't havin' it.
You think it's fucked up now?
Just watch how bad it gets.


(Just Blaze)
Invasion!
I'll push Bush off the White House room (?),
Calling chickens coming home to roost, it's overdue.
Niggas taken advantage of, taken for granted.
For the hungry, for the 'hood, for the good of the planet.
But not to get it twisted, Bush is only a figurehead,
It's bigger yet. The whole system needs to be put to death.
If I was president, then I'd get rid of the whole office
Pimp the system, (???)


(Chorus)
(Motherfuckers don't realize how serious this mother fucking shit is.)

(Immortal Technique)
Either stand him, wear the rifle or reach him,
or some bitch give him a blow job so we can impeach him.
Teach the mother fucker about the drama I bring
And cut Dick Cheney's hands off for pulling the strings.
This is for all my niggas locked in the P
that'll never see the sun until the revolution is bring.
George Bush: the puppet king of the planet.
Nigga, he don't care about the marriage of faggots,
he's got a supreme court full of religious fanatics.
Let me break down the mechanics:
Al-Qaeda and America been doin' business well,
they're tighter than Interscope and (??).
From the patriot act to rape in Iraq to
Russia's war with Afghanistan taking it back to Texas.
W, your state is the most polluted
and you had the most niggas executed.
Now you're born again, alcohol is (??) the garden.
Yeah, dog, I read the book your friends wrote
insert the footnotes about how you used to sniff coke,
frontin' like drug-free role models in harmony.
Your family in florida lives in a pharmacy.
Corporate larceny, tax cuts, that's how you started
Twelve IQ points from being fuckin' retarded.
So I gotta represent what i sell, niggas
-Skye Coady

Bin Laden

Immortal Technique is renowned for his powerful lyrics and strong views on the government. In his song "Bin Laden", Immortal Technique starts off the song saying he doesn't pledge allegiance and disses the president’s words. He brings up a good point that says if you speak badly about the government; the Patriot Act will easily be used to persecute you. The government will frame you and shut you up completely. He also states how Al-Qaeda is funded by the USA and how all politicians are fake. Mos Def sings the chorus with Jadakiss claiming that George Bush was behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

[Mos Def - talking]
Man, you hear this bullshit they be talkin'
Every day, man
It's like these motherfuckers is just like professional liars
YouknowwhatI'msayin? It's wild
Listen

[Hook - Mos Def]
Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects
It was you, nigga
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga

Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects
It was you, nigga
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]

[Verse 1 - Immortal Technique]
I pledge no allegiance, nigga fuck the president's speeches
I'm baptized by America and covered in leeches
The dirty water that bleaches your soul and your facial features
Drownin' you in propaganda that they spit through the speakers
And if you speak about the evil that the government does
The Patriot Act'll track you to the type of your blood
They try to frame you, and say you was tryna sell drugs
And throw a federal indictment on niggaz to show you love
This shit is run by fake Christians, fake politicians
Look at they mansions, then look at the conditions you live in
All they talk about is terrorism on television
They tell you to listen, but they don't really tell you they mission
They funded Al-Qaeda, and now they blame the Muslim religion
Even though Bin Laden, was a CIA tactician
They gave him billions of dollars, and they funded his purpose
Fahrenheit 9/11, that's just scratchin' the surface

[Hook - Mos Def]
Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects
It was you, nigga
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga

Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects
It was you, nigga
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]

[Verse 2 - Immortal Technique]
They say the rebels in Iraq still fight for Saddam
But that's bullshit, I'll show you why it's totally wrong
Cuz if another country invaded the hood tonight
It'd be warfare through Harlem, and Washington Heights
I wouldn't be fightin' for Bush or White America's dream
I'd be fightin' for my people's survival and self-esteem
I wouldn't fight for racist churches from the south, my nigga
I'd be fightin' to keep the occupation out, my nigga
You ever clock someone who talk shit, or look at you wrong?
Imagine if they shot at you, and was rapin' your moms
And of course Saddam Hussein had chemical weapons
We sold him that shit, after Ronald Reagan's election
Mercenary contractors fightin' a new era
Corporate military bankin' off the war on terror
They controllin' the ghetto, with the failed attack
Tryna distract the fact that they engineerin' the crack
So I'm strapped like Lee Malvo holdin' a sniper rifle
These bullets'll touch your kids, and I don't mean like Michael
Your body be sent to the morgue, stripped down and recycled
I fire on house niggaz that support you and like you
Cuz innocent people get murdered in the struggle daily
And poor people never get shit and struggle daily
This ain't no alien conspiracy theory, this shit is real
Written on the dollar underneath the Masonic seal

(I don't rap for dead presidents
I'd rather see the president dead
It's never been said but I set precedents)--[Eminem]

[Hook - Mos Def]
Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects
It was you, nigga
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga

Bin Laden didn't blow up the projects
It was you, nigga
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]
Tell the truth, nigga
(Bush knocked down the towers)--[Jadakiss]

(Shady Records was 80 seconds away from the towers
Some cowards fucked with the wrong building, they meant to hit ours)-- [Eminem]

-Skye Coady

Fight the Power by Public Enemy was one of their most influential songs. It told the listeners to “fight the power”. Revolting and changing the system was the message that Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and Professor Giff were trying to send. They criticize Elvis and John Wayne for being racist. One of the most powerful lines in the song was “our freedom of speech is freedom or death”. Public Enemy gained much notoriety for the “stick it to the man” message in this song and will remain as one of the foundations in political hip-hop.

1989 the number another summer (get down)
Sound of the funky drummer
Music hittin' your heart cause I know you got sould
(Brothers and sisters hey)
Listen if you're missin' y'all
Swingin' while I'm singin'
Givin' whatcha gettin'
Knowin' what I know
While the Black bands sweatin'
And the rhythm rhymes rollin'
Got to give us what we want
Gotta give us what we need
Our freedom of speech is freedom or death
We got to fight the powers that be
Lemme hear you say
Fight the power

Chorus

As the rhythm designed to bounce
What counts is that the rhymes
Designed to fill your mind
Now that you've realized the prides arrived
We got to pump the stuff to make us tough
from the heart
It's a start, a work of art
To revolutionize make a change nothin's strange
People, people we are the same
No we're not the same
Cause we don't know the game
What we need is awareness, we can't get careless
You say what is this?
My beloved lets get down to business
Mental self defensive fitness
(Yo) bum rush the show
You gotta go for what you know
Make everybody see, in order to fight the powers that be
Lemme hear you say...
Fight the Power

Chorus

Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant ---- to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Mother---- him and John Wayne
Cause I'm Black and I'm proud
I'm ready and hyped plus I'm amped
Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps
Sample a look back you look and find
Nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check
Don't worry be happy
Was a number one jam
Damn if I say it you can slap me right here
(Get it) lets get this party started right
Right on, c'mon
What we got to say
Power to the people no delay
To make everybody see
In order to fight the powers that be

(Fight the Power)


-Skye Coady

Crass

      Crass was one of the main contributors to the up rise of British punk-rock. They critiqued war, sexism, the judicial system, religion, media, and the punk-movement itself. Not only did they produce their own independent albums, but they lived by their music. They formed an anarchy commune that connected similar punk-bands to serve the purpose of getting their message out. Because their music was so controversial, their fan base was purely firm believers in their message. Crass actually preferred it that way though; they would rather stick true to their message than to become famous for ideals they don’t believe. As agreed, they disbanded in 1984. Crass will be recognized as one of the most true anarchist bands to stick true to their values.
-Skye Coady
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/crass-p16690/biography

Sherman Austin

     Sherman Austin did the opposite of most artists that spread the word of anarchism. He was convicted of being an anti-American terrorist that distributed information about creating explosives. It was thought that he knew the intentions of readers and was providing information in a malicious way. In 2002, Austin agreed to a plea and served one year in federal prison. Although Sherman Austin said he did not write the information, but simply provided the information for free, he was still in violation of the Patriot Act (which could have given him a 20 year punishment). Austin had been found with possible explosive materials when his house was searched by the FBI and at a protest in NYC. When he was released, he was on 3 year probation from use of computers or contact of suspicious characters. Shortly after his release, Sharman Austin released a hip-hop album entitled Silence is Defeat. His songs preach anti-government ideas and tell his story of how he was illegally wired-taped by the FBI and attempted assassinations by the FBI.
-Skye Coady

P!NK - Dear Mr. President

     Pink does not identify as an anarchist per say, but many of her songs contain provocative lyrics encouraging people to stand up against the status quo and the government. Pink's music is infamous for raising trouble and having a bad-ass attitude.
     Her song, "Dear Mr. President" addressed to the President of the United States is very anti-capitalism and anti-current American government. "How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?" is Pink questioning the President and other capitalists, how they can sleep while so many people are barely making it from day to day.

     Pink continues her rage:
"Let me tell you 'bout hard workMinimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box"
     In this closing verse, Pink talks about how the President (who represents capitalists) sits in an office all day signing papers and is paid in millions while others do back-breaking work all day every day and barely make it by with minimum wage. The lyrics behind this song represent a pop song in modern day that points out the failures of the American government and the corrupt nature that allows those at the top to make millions and leaves a majority of people working minimum wage and suffering day to day.

-Julianne Fleck

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pink/dearmrpresident.html

Rage Against the Machine - Know Your Enemy

One final example is the song “Know Your Enemy” from their self-entitled album. The song's main message is that the American government touts itself as the land of the free, but lies and takes freedom away. That message is evident in lines such as, "What? The land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy!", "As we move into '92, still in a room without a view!" and "Yes I know my enemies! They're the teachers that taught me to fight me!" The song ends with the following lines:


"Compromise, Conformity, Assimilation, Submission, Ignorance, Hypocrisy, Brutality, The Elite. All of which are American dreams!"

- Alex Dennis

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rageagainstthemachine/knowyourenemy.html

Rage Against the Machine - Bulls on Parade

Their song “Bulls on Parade” addresses the American military-industrial complex, a situation in which industry (the arms industry, primarily) urges government to take military action, with the intent of obtaining military contracts, to thereby increase its revenue. The idiom "bulls on parade" refers to a bull market. The symbol may also mean the muscularity of American responses to complex problems; we act like mad bulls on dress parade rather than negotiating or using less violent strategies. The verse in the song, "Weapons not food, not homes, not shoes, not need, just feed the war cannibal animal", refers to the military-industrial complex in the song. Another verse, "They don't gotta burn tha books they just remove 'em" is an example of literary reference, alluding to Fahrenheit 451 and its author, Ray Bradbury's famous quote, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture, just get people to stop reading them." With the words "Terror rains drenchin', quenchin' tha thirst of tha power dons", the song suggests that fear of terrorism is used to manipulate the American population into supporting military action. The phrase “the terror rains” serves a double meaning, suggesting that “the terror” by the government literally reigns.

- Alex Dennis

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rageagainstthemachine/bullsonparade.html

Rage Against the Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire

The song “Sleep Now In the Fire” from the album “The Battle of Los Angeles” contains lyrics about greed, such as the conquest of Native Americans by Christopher Columbus, U.S. slavery in the 1800’s, as well as criticism of actions taken by the US government in wartime. “I am the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria. The noose-man, the rapist, the field’s overseer. The agents of orange, the priests of Hiroshima. The cost of my desire, sleep now in the fire.” This lyric references Columbus’ three ships that he traveled in when sailing for the New World, and the vehicles by which he conquered the Native Americans and forced them to do his bidding. The noose-man is referring to being an executioner, of deciding who lives or dies based on his own beliefs. The rapist is not a sexual one, but a rapist of humanity. It could be said that a country has raped another if they take their resources and use their people. The field’s overseer means that I direct the work to be done; I force you to do the work as I see fit, possibly a reference to slavery in the U.S. The agents of orange refer to Agent Orange: a herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people being killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth defects. The priests of Hiroshima means that I judged the people of Hiroshima, I then condemned them to their death. I kill those people to accomplish my goals. This is an obvious reference to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945, which killed 70,000–80,000 people, and injured another 70,000. The last lines mean these are the consequences of my desire, and now you “sleep in the fire.” Another interesting point to note is that the music video for “Sleep Now in the Fire” was directed by Michael Moore and features the band playing in front of the New York Stock Exchange. The shoot for the music video on January 26, 2000, caused the doors of the New York Stock Exchange to be closed. In fact, the Stock Exchange locked its doors mid-day in response to fears of crowds gathering to watch the filming.

- Alex Dennis

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rageagainstthemachine/sleepnowinthefire.html

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine (aka RATM) is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk. Critics have noted Rage Against the Machine for its "fiercely polemical music, which brewed sloganeering leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression into a Molotov cocktail of punk, hip-hop, and thrash." Integral to their identity as a band, Rage Against the Machine voice revolutionary viewpoints highly critical of the domestic and foreign policies of current and previous US governments. Throughout its existence, RATM and its individual members participated in political protests and other activism to advocate these beliefs. The two main forces in the band are De la Rocha's (whose Chicano father was a political activist and artist known as Beto), and Tom Morello, the son of an Irish and Italian mother and a Kenyan father. Morello’s uncle, Jomo Kenyatta, was the Kenyan freedom fighter who went on to become the country's first president. His parents were involved in the civil rights movement, and his political education began early when the KKK hung a noose outside his father’s garage. The band primarily saw its music as a vehicle for social activism. De la Rocha explained that "I'm interested in spreading those ideas through art, because music has the power to cross borders, to break military sieges and to establish real dialogue." At the Coachella 2007 performance, De la Rocha made an impassioned speech during "Wake Up", citing a statement by Noam Chomsky regarding the Nuremberg Trials and subsequent actions by US presidents, as follows: “ A good friend of ours once said that if the same laws were applied to U.S. presidents as were applied to the Nazis after World War II, every single one of them, every last rich white one of them from Truman on, would have been hung to death and shot—and this current administration is no exception. They should be hung, and tried, and shot. As any war criminal should be.”  RATM’s album covers parodies and criticizes the U.S. government. Their self-entitled 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. The album “Evil Empire” takes its title from the phrase "evil empire", which was used by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and many conservatives in describing the former Soviet Union.

- Alex Dennis

Megalomaniac, Incubus

The song Megalomaniac, by Incubus, is actually a very interesting song that can be looked at from two different view points. The song could be considered to be talking about the president of the United States, saying that all they are are just a bunch of egotistic people who couldn't care more about anything but themselves. Another way to look at it would be if you applied the term Megalomaniac to all of the world leaders who thought of themselves to be 'like gods' or to be 'saving their people', for example, Hitler, Stalin, etc. Either way, Incubus is trying to vocalize their lack of respect for the people who end up being in charge. They feel that they do not have the concern of the people in their actions, but rather the concern for themselves. Their message in this song is clear, they want people like that to step down; they want to revolutionize our political system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuZhnNR6vzc&ob=av2n

I hear you on the radio
You permeate my screen, its' unkind but
If I met you in a scissor fight
I'd cut off both your wings on principle alone
On principle alone

Hey megalomaniac
You're no Jesus
Yeah, you're no ****ing Elvis
Special, as you know yourself
Baby, just step down, step down

If I were your appendages
I'd hold open your eyes
So you would see
That all of us are heaven sent
There was never meant to be only one
To be only one
Yeah
You're no Jesus
You're no Elvis
You're no answer




-Megan Keane