Know Your Rights Lyrics

[Chorus]
Know your rights
These are your rights!
Hey, say, Wang

[Verse 3]
Oh, know these rights

[Verse 4]
Number three
You have the right to free speech
As long as you're not
Dumb enough to actually try it

[Chorus]
Know your rights
These are your rights
Oh, know your rights
These are your rights
All three of 'em, ha

[Outro]
And it has been suggested
In some quarters that this is not enough

Well, get off the streets
Get off the streets!

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Genius Annotation

“Know Your Rights” was released as a single prior to the release of the album, Combat Rock, on which it appears. The song was the first single from the album.

The song begins with the words “This is a public service announcement…with guitars!” The structure of the song revolves around the rights held by the poor and disenfranchised, in which the speaker of the song, presumably a villainous civil servant (whose identity is assumed in the song by vocalist Joe Strummer), names the three actual rights.

Q&A

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

Credits
Produced By
Mastered by
Lead Vocals
Lead guitar
Rhythm Guitar
Sound Effects
Photography
Tape Operation
Copyright (c)
Manufactured by
Phonographic Copyright (p)
Record Company
Recorded At
Ear Studios - London, England / Electric Lady Studios - New York, NY / Warnford, Hampshire - England
Release Date
April 23, 1982
Know Your Rights Live Performances
Tags
Comments