There are a lot of layers to this song but one thing I think y'all missed: The cult of personality is one of the most dangerous, and powerful, things in the world. It's why they always list two leaders (either of a country or a movement): one was "evil," one was "good," but they exercised the same control. It's the situation that arises when people follow someone no matter what; hence, the lines "I exploit you, you still love me" and "I tell you one and one makes three." The leaders of these cults control their followers, even when it means doing things that harm the followers. They speak lies and their followers accept them, convincing themselves it is best for them no matter what. Anyway, love the reactions guys, and the fact that y'all are constantly repping Louisiana.

This brought tears to me, to see young brothers become WOKE.....I am 60 and have been rocking all my life. These are my brothers from Brooklyn, I went to high school with the lead singer Corey Glover...they are all beautiful souls and ALL their songs rock...and say SOMETHING. Will is a master drummer...one of my favorites and very cool people. There are dozens of great songs you need to hear, right up to today.

This band was so ahead of its time. This song still hits today not just the way it sounds, but the message as well.

He was basically singing about the evils of blind, unquestioning worship of leaders. From becoming their tools and weapons to being lulled into a false sense of security or state of fear. Talk about nostalgia, I listened to them all through my junior high and high school years

Criminally underrated band. That groove, the lyrics and Vernon Reid shreds.

I was 18 when this came out, and I was a total metal head. No one cared the color of these guys' skin, this song was the jam! One of those tunes you sang to while driving. :)

You guys crack me up. The look on Brandon's face when he realized the band is black was priceless.

It sounds familiar not only from guitar hero 3 and CM punk but also GTA San Andreas!! These guys are rock n roll legends and continue influencing kids still, mad respect on their name coming from a metal guy..

One of my favorite songs. Vernon Reid was the truth. A cult of personality is EXACTLY what the influencer culture is. These guys were 30 years ahead of the curve, because that's what life is today. A series of cults of personality...all live on social media.

I'm glad y'all found this! Definition: "A cult of personality is the result of an effort which is made to create an idealized and heroic image of a leader by a government, often through unquestioning flattery and praise."

Fun Fact: Living Colour was discovered by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger when they were performing at CBGB's. He produced their early demos and got them a record contract and set them as the Stones' opening act on the next tour.

You guys were saying it sounded familiar. If you’ve watched pro wrestling in the last several years, this is CM Punk’s entrance music. Might be where you heard it. Phenomenal track. Have loved it since I heard it as a kid. Leader speaks/leader dies gets me every time too.

This was and still is a banger with a very deep message. Scary that 30+ years later it is even more relevant to our climate! Love yall sooooo much! Keep going on this amazing journey you have begun! Blessings!

YEEAAAHHHH! This song still holds true! P.S. This band is criminally underrated and didn't get near the airplay it deserved.

Vernon Reid is one of the most underrated lead guitarists... he's technically perfect.. He's also a top blues guitarist Corey ,lead singer, climbed up to the second level of Hammer jacks in Bmore during this sing and i was the guy that helped him over the railing. ... got to duet on "cult of personality " with him! He hugged me quick and rocked on... I'll never forget that

Cult of Personality is a statement on human society as a whole. This is one of my alltime FAVORITE songs!

"You gave me fortune, you gave me fame, you gave me power in your God's name" still gives me goosebumps and I've heard this song at least 200 times.

It makes me so happy to see young people discovering this amazing band. Living Colour were 30 years ahead of their time and back then, admittedly, most of us didn't have the social awareness to appreciate what they were saying. The world is ready now. Seeing young people internalize the powerful message of this song honestly brings tears to my eyes. Please listen to the rest of their catalogue; they are such fantastic musicians and their social commentary is so relevant and important. Thank you for sharing your reaction to this song with us. You're doing my old Gen Xer heart good!

You might like Sevendust if you like living color. The passion in Lajon Witherspoon's voice is so powerful. I've been listening to them for over 20 years. They have so many great songs. Denial, Black, Splinter, Angles son, medicated. Enjoy guys and Thank you for everything!

About 20 years ago when I was in the Navy, there was a new black kid onboard my ship that I worked with and we had this song playing in the shop. He absolutely didn't believe us that these guys were black. 😆😆 One of the greatest rock riffs ever!

I'm lucky my speakers survived when this came out in '88, my junior year! When it came on my volume always went as high as possible and STILL does! Vernon Reid shredded the hell out of his guitar solo! He's so underrated in my opinion. Amazing band! Amazing lyrics! Powerful meaning of blindly following! Living Colour killed it! Beast mode still 💪🏼 34 years later.

Everything Vernon Reid (guitarist and writer of all the songs) touches is gold. This whole album (Vivid) was incredible, and it's criminal that more people haven't heard anything but this song. Those of us who were just into hard rock that picked it up got our first taste for other genres, because Reid was so eclectic in his own musical influences. (I'm guessing this is what ultimately hurt the band's popularity, because they weren't easily slotted into a specific music category). He's a real musician's musician, and he's recorded with just about everybody under the sun.

This is a song that demands multiple listening sessions. There is so much truth and so many references that most people miss on their first viewing/listen.

The entire band is extremely talented! The singer! The drummer! The bassist! Mr. Vernon Reid DESTROYING that guitar!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 The little girl throughout the video IS KEY! You see her watching TV, as the band plays the song, she becomes mesmerized, completely engrossed. Just as the song comes to a close, she leans forward to shut off the TV. This song is an indictment of the industrial complex that is the mainstream media.....ALL platforms of media. It is the 'Cult of Personality' that you can not take at face value. This song is around 30 years old... Relevant then...even more so now. ✌️✌️

“An Open Letter to a Landlord “ is a must reaction! Another banger from this band!

Welcome to 1988 boys, I was 20 years old when this song came out that you are just hearing now 35 years later! Sounds just as brand new today as it did 35 years ago. I first saw them on Arsenio Hall, and I was blown away that there was a Black Heavy Metal Band out and they were this good! I never tire of hearing this song or watching this video! Song is probably more relevant today than it was 35 years ago, unfortunately! People are slow to listen and slower to change!

I first heard this song while playing GTA San Andreas, and I loved it so much I searched for the song and ended up loving the band. Finding out the band is so criminally underrated was heartbreaking 💔😢

Always happy to see young guys discover great bands like Living Color

This song was before it's time. A perfect description of social media. And influencers now with their fan base. Song means that some people will do for a specific personality.... That they may not do even for themselves...... This is a legendary band.....

“I’m every person you need me to be” “ I’m the cult of personality “

Hey, Homie in the "Can't Fold" Shirt got me LIVIN'!! 😂😂😂😂. IT STARTED WITH THE LAUGH - I GET YOU, FAM!! I GET YOU!!! 💪🏾✌🏾✌🏾

I remember seeing these guys at the nectarine ballroom in Ann arbor in 1989, I thought wow, these dudes are going to change the world with this 🔥

I grew up listening to Living Colour amongst other rock bands. They were the bomb!!! Rock is not limited by skin color

Always felt this band was BADLY underrated. Wanted to see and hear more from them back in the 80's!

I listened to this all the time back in the day. It still sounds amazing and I'm glad you guys discovered it.

This is still 1 of my all time favorite songs for over 30 years, I still get hyped when I hear it. Music is on point and the lyrics speak so much truth.

I saw them live , as part of lollapalooza, alongside RED Hot Chili Peppers, Minstry, Front 242, Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction, Ice Cube and Ice T with his heavy metal band, Body Count, ... the 90s were the last great years for music, fusion of everything. It was a real thing... musically and culturally.

I saw Living Colour in 1991 and then again in 2021. Still an amazing live band! Glad you've discovered them! Other black bands you might be surprised to see. 24-7 Spyz, Bad Brains, and The Chambers Brothers

In the Ring, On the Microphone, Even on Commentary, Nobody Can Touch Me - Pepsi Punk Proud in Living Colors!

Still have this on vinyl from when it came out 1988. Great band and record.

Vernon Reid...a master of his instrument. I remember reading about him in one of my guitar magazines years ago so I checked out his solo stuff. He is immensely talented.

I'm a white dude who's 57 years old. Played the s*** out of this cassette. When I had it when it originally came out. Actually saw them live in New York City. At the time of this release. Touring for this album. No matter what someone's skin color is. If they play the genre of music you like. You will at least give them an initial listen. These guys were great ! Wish they had more of a run !

Saw these guys in the early 90s at a theater. Best rock show I've ever seen. The energy was off the charts. Glad you guys enjoyed it.

It's crazy when people see this video, it always gets paused right away after the first verse and everyone always exclaims "THEY'RE BLACK!?!?!?!?!?!" and they get this mind blown 🤯 look on their face. We were all rocking this jam when it came out and everyone I knew had this cassette or CD 💯🔊🔥🔥🔥🔊💯

The most popular song by Living Colour, "Cult of Personality" opens and closes with famous quotes: And in the few moments we have left, we want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand. This is Malcolm X from his "Message To The Grass Roots" speech in 1963. The point was to unify African Americans. The ending quotes start with John F. Kennedy's famous: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. This is from his inaugural address in 1961. Both quotes are from men who were assassinated. Most of the song seems to be denouncing idolatry, but there is the one stanza containing the line, "A leader speaks, a leader dies." Living Colour also seem to make no distinction between good and evil, as each time they mention a hero, they pair him with an enemy: Mussolini and Kennedy; Stalin and Gandhi. The final words are: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. This is a quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural address on March 4, 1933. Roosevelt used the address to announce his "New Deal" program and encourage the citizens of the United States to overcome their economic problems as they emerged from the depression.

I saw them open for The Rolling Stones in 1989. They blew them off the stage! Phenomenal performance I’ll never forget. Vernon Reid is one of the most accomplished explosive guitarists I’ve seen and I’ve seen so many. So glad you guys found this. Love seeing you take in their incredibly deep strong message! They did not hold back and I’m here for it!

a banger is a banger, the colors dont matter, and this shit always hits.

You guys made me tear up! The same reaction you had at the opening, I had when I saw this video when it originally aired. It was awesome and on point! These guys were light years ahead of their time.

One of the most under rated bands of the 80s, or ever honestly. The message is timeless.

I've been a Living Colour fan since I saw them supporting Anthrax way back in 1988 in London. Great live band, and still going strong.

this album completely blew my mind when i first bought it, shortly after seeing the CoP video on MuchMusic up here in Canada... listened to it religiously for several years, same goes for their follow-up album.. made me more serious as a musician, and opened my mind a LOT!!!! love the stankface and headbobs goin on!!!!

I remember first seeing them in the 90's, and they blew me away. They have a other hits too, and you definitely need to listen to them. They were a fantastic band. Good choice.

This album is a 10/10...one of the greatest debuts ever. One of the best live bands I've ever seen... Cory Glover is an incredible singer.

Living Color were ahead of their time: they were amazing musicians, song-writers, and artists, delivering hard rock songs about ideology, pathos, and empathy, in a time dominated by hair-bands. They were criminally underrated.

Real musicians, real instruments, real meaning! Take notes kids, these guys are seriously underrated and among the best in rock music. Black people actually invented rock and would love to see more of this. Needs to make a comeback! I get to see them with Extreme next month which is another band similar to Living Color as far as lyrical content and talent. The two bands are tight friends so take a look at extreme next please.

One of the greatest guitar players of all time. Back in the day we didn’t see color. We could care less what they looked like, they rocked the hell out, that’s all we cared about!

"ONLY YOU CAN SET YOU FREE!" Still the most intelligent line I've ever seen written in a song. This song is saying that weather it looks like that popular powerful person is good or evil it doesn't matter. Follow your own way, be your own person ❤️

This band is so slept on. Living Color were pioneers in many ways.

This band is absolute LEGEND. So far ahead of the curve! I stop for this song every single time I hear it!

I met these guys after a concert they did at my college back in 1991. They were really cool and down to earth. They talked to everyone who approached them. No inflated egos, very humble. Plus they sound great live.

The lead singer Cory Glover is related to the actor Danny Glover from the movies Lethal Weapon. Guitarist Vernon Reid is one of the best modern guitarists and the band was seriously underrated. Leaders that have followers that worship them are deemed to have a “cult of personality.”

I was in high school when this came out. Back when MTV actually played music videos. I remember the first time I saw this. I was blown away from the lyrics, imagery, and the intensity of the guitar playing. Such a powerful song that is timeless. And still relevant to this day.

Fellas, thanx for this. Haven’t heard this in years. I remember when it came out and saw these black guys kicking ass and shredding. Great group.

Living Colour's video and the lyrics for "Type" is scary at how relevant it is right now. "Open Letter to a Landlord" is a video that always hit me hard.

Glad to see you engaging with the lyrics. I’ve seen a number of reactions that only pay attention to the music, which is a real shame. I’ve always seen the song as being about people’s unfortunate tendency to turn over their thinking (and their wallets) to charismatic figures, whether heroes or villains, preachers or professors, lifestyle coaches or politicians, you name it. Doesn’t even matter if that figure is right on every count, you still need to think for yourself, reason things through for yourself.

I’m so happy these guys have discovered Living Color! Please see this band live - they still tour, and their live shows are🔥🔥🔥

I was in high school when this came out. As a guitarist as far back as that, I could not figure out what Vernon Reid was doing. Completely unique, a kind of controlled chaos, I'd never heard anything like it. Even 30 years later, I still can't play any of his stuff with any kind of authenticity. Just incredible. One of my classmates that also played guitar said to me one day, "he reminds me a lot of Hendrix". I said "you're only saying that because he's black! There are other black guitar players in the world, you know". What a dick. He didn't talk to me for a month. Oh well. The singer Corey Glover is also an actor, he was in the movie Platoon.

I remember watching this with friends on MTV as a premiere video. All of us being lovers of Rock were blown away by the music. We knew this was an instant classic when we heard it.

I'm about to turn 51, and Living Color was one of my favorite bands in high school. Love seeing a younger generation discover them ♥️

Absolute masterpiece. Love Living Colour. It is a shame they're criminally underrated. Maybe, we should get them inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

My surf shop in Virginia Beach sold out of short John wetsuits because of this video. 😂🤙🏼 These cats where insane live. Great Band!!

They still sound good live 25 years later.

'Bad Brains' would be another great band to check out. 80s Rasta Punk/hardcore, really influenced Living Color's sound. 'I Against I' and 'Quickness' are both awesome albums start to finish, I'm still jamming those whole albums 30+ years later..

Vernon Reid was a great player. Very respected in the guitar world...

I’m 60 yrs old and always adored this band. Saw them for the first time a few nights ago in a small club in Lexington Ky. and dayum! I was blown away. They sound flat out AMAZING. Glad to see the younger bunch catching on. ☺️

I'm so glad you guys reviewed this! I loved your reactions and how you dived into the meaning of the lyrics I'm 62 and when their video first came out on MTV, I had the biggest crush on Corey. Damn,he is still fine ❤

They opened for the Rolling Stones back in the day and they blew the Stones awaaaaaaaaaay! Freaking love this band!!!!!

Cory, Doug, Vernon and Will....Living Colour were members of the Black Rock Coalition. Bad Brains, Fishbone, 24/7 Spyz, Kings X...all bands to check out....music is a world language. Keep at it fellas.

These guys were ahead of their time, awesome group. I remember these guys taking the world by storm with their sound. Vernon was a beast on the guitar!

Fellas I still remember seeing the video for the first time when I was a senior in high school ('88) and feeling that shock, excitement and awe of a black rock band rocking hard and with precision. That songs still rocks and the message is still so very relevant. If you like Living Colour, give their albums Vivid ("Cult of Personality") and Time's Up a listen. I'd also recommend the bands Bad Brains and Fishbone (who both influenced Living Colour) and 24-7 Spyz and (if you can find them) Follow For Now. Those two bands should've been so much bigger. Glad you were into that and thanks for sharing your journey of discovery new things with all of us!

Living Colour was light years ahead of their time. I enjoyed seeing you guys pick apart this song for what it really means.

Vernon Reid shredding the axe 🎸 and Corey Glover’s vocals 🗣 is one of the best ever rock music has ever witnessed. LC was a great great band

... and that guitar solo is one of my top 10 solos of all time.

I trace my love of both alt metal and punk back to THIS song, when it blew up in the late 80's. Still one of my favorite jams of all time. Amazing lyrics. Amazing guitar work. Amazing everything.

They performed this live at wrestle mania 29 for CM PUNK and it blew me away that they sounded just as good live all these years later

After 30 years, and this is still one of my favorite songs.

I also like watching you guys delve into the meaning of the lyrics. You may or may not have been accurate but thats what beautiful about music. You guys listened, and started finding meaning and importance in the words.

First off, love your show. Living Colour is a fantastic band. Vernon Reid is a great guitar player. He is a jazz musician & has been on a ton of albums. You asked for other black bands like them. Here's 2 that are ferocious - Bad Brains & Fishbone. Songs- Bad Brains - "I against I" & Fishbone - "Freddie's dead", " Everyday Sunshine", "Sunless Saturday" or "Lyin' A** Bitch". Again thank you for doing this stuff. Love it

Probably THE most honest rock song ever. They told zero lies!

I was in college when this came out. It rocks! It’s a warning about following leaders who don’t have your best interest at heart.

Raw power and energy, perfect rock music. One of my favorites to blast on the way to work in the morning to wake up...maybe wake the neighbors too, as I leave, haha!

Vernon Reid is one of my favorite Lead Guitarists EVER ! Had his own distinctive sound at a time when so many other guitarists were derivative of others. And the lyrics are deep on so many levels. LOVE this song !

This band is truly a genius band. Their entire discography hits. Dont let anyone tell you theyre a one hit wonder because the radio corporations are cults of personality. And its also CM PUNK's entrance music thats why it sounds familiar

This just made my day. My new favorite thing is watching us discover all the black rock that's out there. You fellas need to listen to Fishbone "Everyday Sunshine".

I love how yall break down the lyrics and how they resonate. these lyrics apply to any point in time. we as humans fall under the trappings of leaders. we support leaders because we are attracted to their personalities.

This song was released the summer going into my senior year in high school. This song was EVERYWHERE, and we couldn't get enough. It was played at every party, in every car, and all through the next few years after it was released. Vernon Reid is amazing - that guitar solo still amazes me. This song brings back so many fond memories. It's one of my all-time favorites. So glad you guys found it.

This song fits the world today. Outstanding lyrics and outstanding musicians. Perfection. To me he's saying we're easily fooled and will follow the good and bad at times if we don't think for ourselves. Yup, it fits the world today. Social media, influencers etc. All can be dangerous. StaySafe&BlessingsAll🦋

I don’t give a damn what anyone says. One of the best modern rock songs ever made. These guys have a very unique talent you very rarely come across. I mean, the voice on the lead singer..

Welcome gents. I've been with them since they came on the scene and WE ALL FREAKED when this dropped. Never loses it's edge. Enjoy

Can we talk about the Body Glove outfit? All the rage during that era!!! One of the most iconic guitar solos from generation. Constant play on MTV back in the day. 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼