About Alana Expertise Can answer biographical questions on the members of the band, as well as explain their political beliefs and song lyrics.
Experience Have been a big fan of the band since I was 14 years old, and I support many of the causes and organizations promoted by various members of Rage.
Expert: Alana Date: 9/15/2004 Subject: Rage Against The Machine lyric interpretations
Question hi,at school we are analysing song lyrics, and i was thinking of doing 'know you enemy' by ratm, and just wondering if i could get a bit of contextual information about the song, perhaps Zack de la Rocha explanation of lyrics, or your own personal interpretation?it would be much appreciated, just so i can have somewhere to start.thanks, tess.
Answer Hey,
The way I see it, the meaning of Know Your Enemy can be seen at the very end when Rage name "compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission, ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite" as their 'enemies', and follow this with "all of which are american dreams".
Basically, I interpret the song as a general social commentary on freedom, those who abuse their power, and the apathetic population that allows them to do so.
The lyrics reference the hidden agenda of the police force ("now something must be done about vengeance, a badge and a gun), and try to incite people to educate themselves and change the system ("so sick of complacence"), through legitimate means or otherwise ("we don't need the key, we'll break in").
Hope this helps as a starting point.
Cheers,
Alana.
