Know Your Enemy Lyrics

[Intro: Zack De La Rocha]
Huh
Yeah, we're comin' back in with another bombtrack
Think ya know it's all of that, huh
Ayo, so check this out, yeah


[Chorus: Zack De La Rocha]
Know your enemy
Come on

[Verse 1: Zack De La Rocha]
Born with insight and a raised fist
A witness to the slit wrist

As we move into '92
Still in a room without a view

Ya got to know, ya got to know
That when I say go, go, go
Amp up and amplify, defy
I'm a brother with a furious mind
Action must be taken
We don't need the key, we'll break in

Something must be done
About vengeance, a badge and a gun

'Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against 'em
Fist in ya face in the place and I'll drop the style clearly
Know your enemy
[Chorus: Zack De La Rocha]
Know your enemy
Yeah
Ayo, get with this, ugh

[Verse 2: Zack De La Rocha]
Word is born
Fight the war, fuck the norm
Now I got no patience
So sick of complacence
With the D, the E, the F, the I, the A, the N, the C, the E
Mind of a revolutionary, so clear the lane
The finger to the land of the chains
What? The "land of the free"?
Whoever told you that is your enemy

Now something must be done
About vengeance, a badge, and a gun
'Cause I'll rip the mic, rip the stage, rip the system
I was born to rage against 'em
Now action must be taken
We don't need the key, we'll break in

[Bridge: Maynard James Keenan]
I've got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
I've got no patience now
So sick of complacence now
Sick of, sick of, sick of, sick of you
Time has come to pay

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About

Genius Annotation

Continuing with the album’s general themes, “Know Your Enemy” contains anti-war and anti-authoritarian lyrics. This song finds Rage Against the Machine contrasting notions of the “American Dream”, as portrayed by modern media and officials, against the perceived reality of this dream. Once again, they argue that we should question the authority figures who determine what we are led to believe – a message which is reinforced in “Take the Power Back.

The “American Dream” is typically defined as:

the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.

The song suggests that the “enemy” is the notion that all Americans can achieve great things under this dream. This is only perpetuated by the contradictory government and its officials – America is advertised as the “land of the free”, yet is controlled by an elitist enterprise. In addition to this, RATM point out that the country was built on slavery and genocide, and that the resulting inequalities and oppression still exist today.

Features the guest vocals of Maynard James Keenan of Tool, who at the time only had the EP Opiate to their name, yet were already drawing enough of a buzz to tour alongside Rage.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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