Rage Against the Machine was an American rock band from Los Angeles, Califo… Read Full Bio ↴Rage Against the Machine was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group consisted of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk. Their songs express revolutionary left-wing political views. As of 2010, they had sold over 16 million records worldwide. In 2023, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rage Against the Machine released its eponymous debut album in 1992 to commercial and critical success, leading to a slot in the 1993 Lollapalooza festival. Their second album, Evil Empire, was released in 1996. Their third, The Battle of Los Angeles, followed in 1999, and in 2003, it was ranked number 426 on the same list. During their initial nine-year run, they became one of the most popular and influential bands in music history. They were also ranked No. 33 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.

In 2000, Rage Against the Machine released the cover album Renegades and disbanded because of growing creative differences. Members formed the rock supergroup Audioslave with Chris Cornell, the former frontman of Soundgarden. The same year, Rage Against the Machine announced a reunion and performed together for the first time in seven years at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2007. Until 2011, the band continued to perform at more live venues and festivals around the world. In 2016, Morello, Commerford and Wilk formed a new band, Prophets of Rage, with B-Real, Chuck D, and DJ Lord. Rage Against the Machine were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2017 and 2018, although both bids failed. The band had a large influence on the nu metal genre which came to prominence during the second half of the 1990s. In 2003, their self-titled album was ranked number 368 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

At the start of 2024, Wilk confirmed that the group had permanently broken up.

One Man Army
Rage Against The Machine Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, don't miss out on what you're passing
You're missing the hootah of the funky Buddah
Eluder of the fucked up style's that get wicked
So come on as I start to kick it
Cause we're like outlaws striding while suckers are hiding
Jump behind the bush when you see me driving by'
Hanging out my window, and my magnum taking out some putos
Acting kind of loco, I'm just another local

Kid from the street getting paid for my vocals
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man

Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand

I be doing all the dumb shit yo
'Cause nothing is coming from it
I'm not gonna waste no time fucking around, I got ya humming
Humming coming at ya, then you know I had to gat ya
Time for some action just a fraction of friction
I got the clearance to run the interference
Into your satellite, shining a battle light
Swing out the gat and I know that we'll gat you right
Here's an example, just a little sample
How could I just kill a man
One time tried to come in my home take my chrome
I said, "Yo, it's on, take cover son or you're assed out
How do you like my chrome?" Then I watched the rookie pass out
Didn't have to blast him but I did anyway, young punk had to pay
So I just killed a man

Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man

It's gonna be a long time before I finish
One of the many missions that I have to establish
To light my spliff, ignite you with these sights, so if you ain't down
Bullshit, say some punk tried to get you for your auto
Would call the one time and play the role model?
No, I think you'll play like a thug
Next hear the shot of a magnum slug, humming coming at ya
Yeah, you know I'm going to gat ya, how do you know where I'm at
When you haven't been where I've been, understand where I'm coming from
While you're up on the hill in your big home
I'm out here risking my dome, just for the bucket or a fast ducket
Just to stay alive, yo I got to say fuck it
Here is something you can't understand, how I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand, how I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand, how I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand, how I could just kill a man

Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man
Here is something you can't understand
How I could just kill a man

How I could just kill a man
How I could just kill a man

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "How I Could Just Kill A Man" by Rage Against the Machine are a direct and unapologetic critique of violence, particularly gang violence in urban neighborhoods. The song's lyrics describe the singer's experiences as a young man growing up in a violent environment and the difficult choices he had to make in order to survive. Through its use of vivid imagery and raw language, the song seeks to capture the brutality and hopelessness of life in urban America.

The opening lines of the song warn the listener not to "miss out on what you're passing" and to pay attention to the harsh realities of life. The singer then goes on to describe the violence and instability of his surroundings, contrasting his own outlaw status with the cowardly behavior of those who "jump behind the bush when you see me driving by." The chorus repeats the phrase "Here is something you can't understand/How I could just kill a man" to drive home the point that the singer's actions are motivated by a desperation born of the constant threat of violence.

Towards the end of the song, the lyrics switch from describing the singer's own experiences to issuing a challenge to the listener. The lines "While you're up on the hill in your big home/I'm out here risking my dome" call attention to the privileges that many people enjoy and suggest that such privileges come at a high cost to those who must struggle to survive in the shadows of society.

Overall, "How I Could Just Kill A Man" is a powerful and unflinching portrait of life in urban America, warts and all.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, don't miss out on what you're passing
Don't overlook the greatness around you.

You're missing the hootah of the funky Buddah
You're missing out on the fun and excitement of life.

Eluder of the fucked up style's that get wicked
Avoid the bad influences that lead to dangerous behavior.

So come on as I start to kick it
Join me as I start to have fun and enjoy life.

Cause we're like outlaws striding while suckers are hiding
We're rebellious and enjoying our freedom while others are following the rules.

Jump behind the bush when you see me driving by'
People are afraid of us and hide when they see us coming.

Hanging out my window, and my magnum taking out some putos
I'm showing off my power and intimidating others with my gun.

Acting kind of loco, I'm just another local
People think I'm crazy, but I'm just like everyone else in my neighborhood.

Kid from the street getting paid for my vocals
I'm a successful musician from humble beginnings.

Here is something you can't understand
I'm about to reveal a concept that may not make sense to you.

How I could just kill a man
I'm explaining the extreme levels of frustration and anger that can lead to violence.

I be doing all the dumb shit yo
I'm admitting to engaging in foolish behavior.

'Cause nothing is coming from it
I'm aware that my actions may not lead to anything productive.

I'm not gonna waste no time fucking around, I got ya humming
I'm not wasting time on meaningless activities, I'm focused on making an impact.

Humming coming at ya, then you know I had to gat ya
I'm warning others that I won't hesitate to use my gun if necessary.

Time for some action just a fraction of friction
It's time to take action, even if it causes conflict.

I got the clearance to run the interference
I have permission to prevent others from getting in my way.

Into your satellite, shining a battle light
I'm shining a light on the negative behavior and attitudes of others.

Swing out the gat and I know that we'll gat you right
I'm confident in my abilities to use my gun effectively.

Here's an example, just a little sample
I'm about to provide a specific example to illustrate my point.

How could I just kill a man
I'm still struggling to rationalize my violent tendencies.

One time tried to come in my home take my chrome
Someone tried to steal my gun, which is a sign of disrespect and aggression.

I said, "Yo, it's on, take cover son or you're assed out
I warned the intruder that they would be in danger if they didn't leave my home.

How do you like my chrome?" Then I watched the rookie pass out
I'm taunting the intruder and enjoying their fear and weakness.

Didn't have to blast him but I did anyway, young punk had to pay
I didn't need to use violence, but I did it anyway to assert my dominance.

It's gonna be a long time before I finish
I have a lot of work to do to achieve my goals.

One of the many missions that I have to establish
I have multiple goals that I'm working towards.

To light my spliff, ignite you with these sights, so if you ain't down
I want to share my experiences and inspire others to enjoy life.

Bullshit, say some punk tried to get you for your auto
Imagine if someone tried to steal your car, that would be a sign of disrespect and aggression.

Would call the one time and play the role model?
Would you call the police and do the right thing?

No, I think you'll play like a thug
I believe you would react with violence and aggression, just like I would.

Next hear the shot of a magnum slug, humming coming at ya
I'm warning you that violence may be necessary to protect yourself and your property.

Yeah, you know I'm going to gat ya, how do you know where I'm at
I'm threatening you and questioning your ability to protect yourself.

When you haven't been where I've been, understand where I'm coming from
You can't understand my perspective unless you've experienced the same struggles as me.

While you're up on the hill in your big home
You're living a comfortable, privileged life while others struggle to survive.

I'm out here risking my dome, just for the bucket or a fast ducket
I'm putting myself in danger and risking my life to make money and survive.

Just to stay alive, yo I got to say fuck it
I'm willing to do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means engaging in violent behavior.

Here is something you can't understand
I'm still struggling to explain my violent tendencies and the frustration that leads to them.

How I could just kill a man
I'm trying to convey the intense emotions that can lead to violent behavior, even if it doesn't make sense to others.

How I could just kill a man
I'm repeating my message to emphasize the intensity of my feelings.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Rudy Archuleta, Lowell Fulsom, Lamont Holbdy, Hugh McCracken, Larry E Muggerud, Rod Navarro, Morris J Taft

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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