In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
(Ch) turn on tha radio, nah fuck it
Turn it off, fear is your only God
On tha radio, na fuck it, turn it off
Turn on tha radio, nah fuck it
Turn it off, fear is your only God
On tha radio, nah fuck it
Your savior's my guillotine, crosses
And kerosine
Merge on tha networks, slangin' nerve gas
Up jump tha boogie then bang,
Let 'em hang
While the paranoid try to stuff tha void
Let's capture this am mayhem
Undressed, and blessed by tha lord
Tha power pendulum swings by thaUmbilical cord
Shcok around tha clock, from noon
'Til noon
Men grabbin' they mics, and stuff 'em into tha
Womb
Terror tha product ya push
Well I'm a truth addict, Ioh shit I got a head
Rush
Tha sheep tremble an here come tha votes
Thrown from tha throat, new cages an scapegoats
Undressen and blessed by tha lord
Tha same devil that ran around managua wit a
Sword
Check tha new style that ollie found
I tune in wit a bullet ta shut down
Tha devil sound
Tha program of vietnow
Flex tha cerebellum fire
Somebody gotta shell 'em
Those evil angels lists, hittin' tha am
Playlist, paid ta say this
That one inhuman, illegal, single woman, tha one
Wit out a room
The transmissions wippin' our backs
Comin' down like bats from stacy coon
Terror, tha product you push
Well I am a truth addict, oh shit I got a head
Rush
Tha sheeps tremble an here come tha votes
Thrown from tha troat, new cage and scapegoats
One caution tha mics a detonator unwound ta
Shutdown tha devil sound
Check tha heads bow in vietnow
Is all tha world jails and churches ?
Turn it off, fear is your only God
On tha radio, na fuck it, turn it off
Turn on tha radio, nah fuck it
Turn it off, fear is your only God
On tha radio, nah fuck it
Your savior's my guillotine, crosses
And kerosine
Merge on tha networks, slangin' nerve gas
Up jump tha boogie then bang,
Let 'em hang
While the paranoid try to stuff tha void
Let's capture this am mayhem
Undressed, and blessed by tha lord
Tha power pendulum swings by thaUmbilical cord
Shcok around tha clock, from noon
'Til noon
Men grabbin' they mics, and stuff 'em into tha
Womb
Terror tha product ya push
Well I'm a truth addict, Ioh shit I got a head
Rush
Tha sheep tremble an here come tha votes
Thrown from tha throat, new cages an scapegoats
Undressen and blessed by tha lord
Tha same devil that ran around managua wit a
Sword
Check tha new style that ollie found
I tune in wit a bullet ta shut down
Tha devil sound
Tha program of vietnow
Flex tha cerebellum fire
Somebody gotta shell 'em
Those evil angels lists, hittin' tha am
Playlist, paid ta say this
That one inhuman, illegal, single woman, tha one
Wit out a room
The transmissions wippin' our backs
Comin' down like bats from stacy coon
Terror, tha product you push
Well I am a truth addict, oh shit I got a head
Rush
Tha sheeps tremble an here come tha votes
Thrown from tha troat, new cage and scapegoats
One caution tha mics a detonator unwound ta
Shutdown tha devil sound
Check tha heads bow in vietnow
Is all tha world jails and churches ?
Lyrics submitted by piesupreme
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This song is more specifically about radio, not just the media. It speaks out against the right-wing radio stations that attempt to control the masses by stopping them opening their minds. "Check out the new sound that ollie found" refers to Oli north, whose conviction in the Iran-Contra scandal was overturned on a technicality. He then started hosting a right-wing radio talk show.
Wats-up they're not forcing anything on anyone. They're simply voicing their opinion. "Why stand on a silent platform" You have to admit that lyrically they are one of the greatest bands ever. I love RATM and always will. They are the most unique and creative bands i've ever seen.
Could someone please clarify the Stacy Coon reference for me?
One of my favorite lines is "the power pendulum swings by the umbilical chord" which means that under our current system, and how it has always been, who your parents are is directly linked with your social status. I do think that this is not as extreme in America as it has been in the past with monarchs and dynasties, especially the caste system in India, but I think the idea still holds true. If you look at who the powerful people in America are, they typically were born of rich parents. It's not always the case, but it's a very powerful statement and brilliantly phrased in my opinion.
The line "comin down like bats from Stacey Koon" is a reference to Sgt. Stacey Koon, one of the 4 LAPD policemen videotaped beating black motorist Rodney King in 1992. <br />
Stacey Coon was the sergeant involved w/ the Rodney King beatings
"The same one that ran around Managua wit a sword" During the Iran-Contra affair in the mid 1980s, Oliver North and company funded the counterrevolutionaries in Nicaragua, based in Managua.
"Check out tha new style that Ollie found" Oliver North, whose conviction in the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s was overturned on a technicality, now hosts an extremely right-wing radio talk show and has run for the US Senate. Great song...great LYRICS especially if you are aware of how each of the topics interrelate.
nobody commented on "Your savior's my guillotine, crosses and kerosine" not saying I know but you need gasoline (kerosine) to burn a cross... Just like in Killing in the name of he relates things to the KKK
He's basically saying the media in general is looking to scare you to watch their programming etc~ Making up half truths is much easier and gets more ratings than broadcasting correct, and happy news.
Watch Bowling for columbine if you wanna see how our media is...compared to canada etc~
Zack, you are the best!!
Anyone know what this line means?
"Tha same devil that ran around managua wit a Sword"
Love this song, probably in my top 5 Rage songs.
Generally speaking, this song makes more sense now than it did when it first came out. Brilliant.
Thank you for gettin managua straight.... I don't think anyone commented on the title. Vietnow, is describing the situation at the time as another vietnam at this time, and it can totally be related again today switch out some of the references and you have the same story... and to this day the counter revolutionaries in nicaragua currently hold the presidency
Pretty sure "The same devil that ran around Managua with a sword" is setting up the reference to Oliver North. The Contra part of Iran-Contra Affair has to do with the US Officials illegally funding revolutionist groups in Nicaragua to overthrow the government that the US didn't want to have in power. North was the main facilitator of this program and why he was on trial.<br /> <br /> I think the sword reference is used because it works lyrically and it creates a strong, graphic image. (Makes me think of rebels overthrowing a government slashing throats with a sword.) The 'same devil' to me is just personifying the actions and intent of those in power to bring to life what they believe. So Oliver North is the person cited because he was not found guilty as part of this, then he was put on AM radio indoctrinating these types of ideas...so he is the same devil on the radio speading the same fear and teaching people how he wants them to think as the people it takes to covertly overthrow governments in other countries for our political gain or ambitions.