You have to know the context behind this song. At the time it was written we just had Desert Storm, the first Iraq war. It also the first war televised pretty much live on CNN 24 hours a day. People literally stayed home watching the coverage endlessly... a true media bullet to the head, in more way than one. The first line refers to a yellow ribbon. People wrapped yellow ribbons around trees and wore them as a tribute to US military personnel. The idea came from an old Tony Orlando song about a yellow ribbon tied around a tree as a sign his lover wanted him back. This was also new that the returning soldiers were treated like heroes, unlike Vietnam vets. This began the re-glorification of all things military. All the “ribbons” they have now, like the pink ribbons for breast cancer, are all derived from this yellow ribbon start.

This is the time to "RAGE".. 2020

He's talking about propaganda basically, from the government, the medias, the so called journalists etc ...

Yup, the rich ain’t never gonna give up their power peacefully.

"The police in America is the biggest gang" --- Eazy - E

Too bad you didn't do the live video, you would have cracked up laughing with La Rocha's moves and insane energy

The American government doesn’t need to hold at gunpoint. We will do everything we can to keep buying, to keep a comfortable life, to get the next new whatever. There will never be a revolution because of that. They got us. I’m not immune to it either. Our “freedom” is working to consume, to keep those in power in power. We love our “freedom.”

He's talking about the media and tv in general. It's the most destructive weapon created.

Remind me of how I felt in 96 when I heard evil empire! Still do! My favorite reaction channel bro

The only thing I gotta say Is back in the early nineties when that little white kid was walking down the street with his walkman on about 80% was listening to rage all I have to say it's a beautiful thing seeing people discover Rage Against the Machine welcome to the rest of your life Rage will live forever

Rage Against the Machine is a gift the music gods bestowed on us. What they were spouting in 91 that was considered grim and angry, is now seen as prophetic.

This guy really gets the messages , respect man

React to Rage against the machine - Renegades of Funk

This was before we all had cell phones and the internet and social media “followers” and “influencers” too.

Man, equating peoples homes to Alcatraz is extra meaningful right now with so many of us stuck inside due to covid. It’s like we’re extra susceptible to the influence of the media right now.

Yours is the only reaction on youtube that got the message! 2023 and the message remains, what a timeless work by RATM.

I also highly recommend reacting to Live Performance at Pink Pop for this song. Amazing.

Thank you for the interpretation. I've been listening to this song for years and I never realized it was a metaphor for how TV makes you braindead. Wow.

I guess that's why they call it a "news bullet-in."

You've already covered two of my favorites! ❤ Way to go! Keep 'em coming!

YOOOOO thanks for doing more RATM!

Sitting in our homes hypnotized by the television being brainwashed by corporations and politicians.

Bush Sr.'s war, everyone just watched the missiles hit Iraq, like a movie, hypnotized.

Aayyy🔥this is about mind control ....✌

Spot on...about being propogandised to what the tv tells you to think and do. Love seeing reactions of people that LISTEN to RATM's songs and actually breaking it down. They are so heavy in so many ways. Always listen to their songs with the lyrics shown, it will blow your mind everytime. Much love!!!

Love your reactions! Been a rage fan since 92. After watching-listening to the lyric videos... are you watching them perform it live? Takes it to a higher level!

Hey man check out their live performances also!! You are really missing out! Check out Testify live at Finsbury Park 2010!!! The band and the crowd are ONE!!!🤘🏻

Bullet is an advertisement maybe. Bullets are sometimes called ads on our phones. Geez they were wicked revolutionary.

You got it right . The media

ghost of tom joad

They back on tour after 11 years!! Catch ‘em if you can

The news makes you fear, fear makes you buy, buying makes sponsors rich, sponsors pay the news. The more they can make you afraid of the world and others, the more money they make. All the while they are distracting you with endless, mindless stimulation so you won't be examining your reality too hard.

hell ya dude

Man, literally everything in life has been programmed into us, everything. Life is not life, life is their life.

I see you have gone down the Rage Against the Machine worm hole

Just watching the whole list.. That line about the sleeping gas every home was like Alcatraz... When the prison was in operation they used to release gas with the air in the chow hall so that the prisoners would be non violent

This one, Guerrilla radio, and no shelter all have the same theme. Historically known as "bread and circus", a phrase from ancient Rome....... TLDR: Keep people fed and distracted and they are easier to subjugate. Not coincidentally, that is also one of the minor themes of "the Matrix" which ends with the song wake up after the bar about MLK.

Rage was woke before we knew what woke was. I'm loving your dive into RATM. Keep it up, they have so many more great songs. Every album was packed with bangers and all with a message that needs to be heard now more than ever.

If you want to hear some more recent stuff from Zack De La Rocha (singer for RATM) check it Run the Jewels 'Close your Eyes and Count to Fuck' he's featured. Another song that's only gotten more relevant with time. Gotta watch the official video with it too.

Rage!

love it the music makes you angry. the lyrics direct that anger. if it weren't for the pandemic i wish these boys could throw an impromptu concert in lafayette or times squares or something and just watch hell break loose, like their DNC concert...

The only thing we should be bowing down to is mother earth

Do a reaction to Darkness the song was in The Crow movie

They load the (video)clip - in Omnicolour(R) when they pack the 9(o' clock news), they fire it at prime time. I didn't get the slang as a kid

Highly recommend DARKNESS OF GREED by RATM.

Upload the "Down Rodeo" reaction Bro..................................

lets get some old school early 90s hip hop in here...."Professor booty" by the Beastie Boys (91 i think, filthy feel talking their shit amazing stuff), "We Roll Deep" by The Conscious Daughters (93 i believe, IMO greatest song ever recorded by a female group perhaps of any genre and one of the greatest songs ever period) .... One classic old school NY at its best shortly before the era of wu tang and biggie really took over and changed rap and the world, and one classic west coast sound at its very best possibly ever from a group of brilliantly talented women from Oakland. Both are a blast

All about we are all *BRAINWASHED* by the corporate media.

The Soviet Union wished they would have had a system of propaganda even half as sophisticated as that which exists in most western countries. Look up Edward Bernays for how the PR movement started and Noam Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent for some of the long history of the US government efforts in this regard.

Go to protest my friend

RATM - Fistfull of Steel

hold up? you already did Down Rodeo? Is it not uploaded yet or already blocked by KZfaq?

You salute the flag , you don’t bow to it.

I give a shout out to the living dead

Just think? My Pops usta say you got....

Please please please do literally anything from primus!!!!! Les Claypool will blow your fucking mind!!

5:21 you're dead right, bro. That's exactly what they mean. "Load the clip in omni-color, fire it at prime time."

notes from prison antonio gramsci

👉👊

Standing in line bow down to the flag u got a bullet to the head... Sounds like colin kaepernick stand in line kneeling down in protest then killing his career.... This song is 25-30 years old 😳 the game may change but the song remains the same

mindless nationalism Brutha.... you are dead right

The bullet is the propaganda. Xx

FUCK the SYSTEM nice Vid man!! i cant hold ma ass on my chair!!!!!!!!!!

Try mic check

Everthing...buy play break buy again.....consumption is a bullet, belief in stupid shit like the dollar a bullet...;) xo

What's goin on brotha? how ya feeling today? I cant wait for you to hear that Jeff Buckley tune, i linked you..im telling you..The greatest of all time!! lol Jeff actually drowned this day 23 yrs ago, RIP to the legend, Hope you give it a shot! here is the link if you need it again...thanks so much dude!!! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ft6WeJmBr9Org2w.html

666

TV he’s talking about indoctrination. Prime time it’s a prison. Propaganda.