THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

837-Rage Against the Machine-Killing in the Name.

1993-Number 25 single. In 2009 it peaked at Number 1.

Best Bit-At 3.51. As a protest against the monotony of the UK Christmas Number 1 single being another mind numbing, syrupy, soulless, inane, predictable, force fed to us ‘X-Factor’ winning depressing karaoke rendition of someone else’s song, in 2009 the general public finally saw sense, and purchased 502,672 downloads, in this songs first week of re-release.

In early December 2009, the English DJ Jon Morter launched a group on ‘Facebook,’ encouraging people to buy the Rage Against the Machine track ‘Killing in the Name, in an attempt to prevent the winner of the British reality television music singing competition ‘The X-Factor’ from topping the UK Christmas week top 40 singles chart for the fifth year running. The campaign was successful as ‘Killing in the Name’ outsold that years ‘X-Factor’ winner Joe McElderry, with his cover version of the Miley Cyrus song ‘The Climb,’ by 52,000 units. The following week ‘Killing in the Name’ dropped to Number 2, and ‘The Climb’ went to Number 1, becoming the first Number 1 single of 2010. Rage Against the Machine gave all of their royalties to charity, and of course it must also be pointed out that all of the royalties from ‘The Climb,’ also went to charitable causes.

Tom Morello who was a co-founder of Rage Against the Machine, and also one of the co-writers of ‘Killing in the Name’ has spoken about his bands surprise 2009 Christmas Number 1 single,’This shouldn’t be misinterpreted. This is a grass roots effort. It’s nothing against the candidates or the guy that runs the show [X-Factor]. A little dose of anarchy for the Christmas holidays is good for the soul. I love the independent spirit of the British rock fans. Your country has a great rich history of cutting-edge, exciting rebel music. Whether it’s the early Stones and The Who, or The Clash and The Sex Pistols, or Prodigy and Muse, I think that people are just fed up with being represented every Christmas holiday, being spoon fed some overblown, sugary ballad that sits at the top of the charts.’

Rage Against the Machine were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1991, by Zack de la Rocha, (lead vocals) Tom Morello, (guitars) Tim Commerford, (bass) and Brad Wilk, (drums) they were active between 1991-2000, then again between 2007-2011, and then again from 2019 to the present day. Rage Against the Machine who have sold in excess of 16 million records worldwide, play a mixture of ‘Rap, Metal,’ Rap Rock,’ ‘Funk Metal,’ and ,Alternative Metal,’ their lyrics can often be controversial, as they are known for their ‘revolutionary socialist political views.’

The discography of Rage Against the Machine includes four studio Albums released between 1992-2000, and 17 singles within the same time period, there are also two official live Albums, and one compilation Album available. In America on the ‘Billboard 200 Album’ chart, two of those Albums have reached the Number 1 spot, although none of their singles have made the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ top 40 chart. They have had five top 40 chart entries on the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay,’ and ‘Mainstream Rock’ chart though. In the UK, six of their singles have made the top 40, with ‘Bulls on Parade’ from 1996, giving them their other top 10 hit, when reaching Number 8.

‘Killing in the Name’ was the debut single release from Rage Against the Machine,’ and was the first of four singles released from the groups debut studio Album ‘Rage Against the Machine,’ from November 1992. All four band members are credited as the songwriters of ‘Killing in the Name, and they are also credited as the tracks producers, along with the Canadian Garth Richardson, who would go on to produce several other ‘Alternative Rock’ acts, including ‘The Jesus Lizard,’ ‘Skunk Anansie,’ and ‘Biffy Clyro.’

‘Killing in the Name’ is a protest song, the lyrics tell of police brutality, and racism by the police in America, saying that many members of the police force are also members of the ‘Ku Klux Klan,’ hence the lyrics,’Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses.’ The song which reflects racial tensions that exist in the United States, was inspired by the police beating suffered by the African/American Rodney King (1965-2012) in 1991, and the subsequent Los Angeles riots of 1992.

‘Those who died are justified for wearing the badge. They’re the chosen whites, you justify those that died, by wearing the badge.’