2. The song “Freedom” by Rage Against the Machine was a hit single in 1994. The band would normally close their shows playing "Freedom" due to the infamous breakdown followed by an intense ending. Rage Against the Machine is well known for tying in political and social aspects to their lyrics. Although the song has a meaning, this song tells the story of a man named Leonard Peltier, and how his freedom was taken away.
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4. “We have written frequently about the uprising and repression in Oaxaca in the past several months, and we once briefly mentioned part of the spark for the government crackdown: the high-profile murder of one American. That American was a passionate, adventurous activist and independent journalist named Brad Will. Will seemed to be at the center of every major ruckus: the WTO protests in Seattle, police raids on squats in New York City, tree-sitting actions in Oregon, anti-globalization marches in Quebec, Genoa, and Prague, and most recently, documenting struggles for justice in Latin America. Will was murdered by police thugs in Oaxaca, in an effort to terrorize the people who were fighting to throw a corrupt dictator out of office. Journalist to the end, Will had his camera in hand and rolling as the bullets struck him, and he managed to document his own horrific murder.” -Said band Member Brad Will-
5. The music of Rage Against the Machine contains the political and social views of the band members. Each member of the band contributes to the views and emotions expressed through lyrics or tones set through the music. Although some views differ, the feeling is overall strong and apparent to what the band wants to get across. They are very strong about defending constitutional rights of the individual and large groups of deprived people. Such as rights that are being taken away on the domestic front, or even freedoms that are being subjected in foreign nations. ( Zack de la Roche, pg. 1 ), Rage against the machine is for all Humanity's freedom and equal rights in the face of man. The members of Rage Against the Machine each bring diversity and strong political views into the music they produce. Hence why the song and its lyrics are very intense and bring across a strong point, which helps the listener understand that of what is most important. ( Zach de la Roche, pg. 3 ), Each member is unique in his childhood background and his introduction to music. It is important to understand their backgrounds to fully understand their passion for political justice. Rage against the machine uses both strong verbal tones and powerful visual images that help portray the specific political topic in which they are addressing." .
6. Clad in Guantanamo-style orange jumpsuits with black hoods cinched over their heads and their hands behind their backs, Rage Against the Machine were led onstage to deafening air raid sirens and cheers in Minneapolis last night. The band faced the crowd for a second — as if waiting for a firing squad — before their instruments were placed in their hands"
7. LYRICS Uggh! Pull, pull Wuh! Come on! Uggh! Solo, I'm a soloist on a solo list All live, never on a floppy disk Inka, inka, bottle of ink Paintings of rebellion Drawn up by the thoughts I think Yeah! Come on! The militant poet in once again, check it It's set up like a deck of cards They're sending us to early graves For all the diamonds They'll use a pair of clubs to beat the spades With poetry I paint the pictures that hit More like the murals that fit Don't turn away Get in front of it Brotha, did ya forget ya name? Did ya lose it on the wall Playin' tic-tac-toe? Yo, check the diagonal Three brothers gone Come on Doesn't that make it three in a row? Spoken quietly: "Anger is a gift" Come on! Uggh! Drop that! Uggh! Come on Yeah Uggh Brotha, did ya forget ya name? Did ya lose it on the wall Playin' tic-tac-toe? Yo, check the diagonal Three million gone Come on 'Cause you know they're counting backwards to zero Environment The environment exceeding on the level Of our unconsciousness For example What does the billboard say? Come and play!, come and play! Forget about the movement Spoken quietly: "Anger is a gift" Yeeeaaahhhh Uggh! Awww, bring that shit in! Uggh! Hey! Freedom...yea...Freedom...yea right... Freedom...yeeeaaahhh! Freedom! Yeeeaaahhh! Freedom! Yea right! Freedom! Yeeeaaahhh! Freedom! Yea! Right!
8. Rage against the machine typically writes and produces song that have to deal with world issues and problems, they tend to tie these issues into their lyrics. This song is focused on Leonard Peltier, the American Indian Movement leader who was framed by the FBI and has rotted in a jail cell for the past 20 years. The general theme of this song is how the US government, media, and corporations are able to convince Americans they have their "freedom" while secretly blinding them to any other reality, which makes the freedom seem so much more of a reality.
9. The song “Freedom” By Rage against the Machine use a lot of poetic devices to better help the listener understand what the song is trying to explain. There is a lot of repetition in this song. And a lot of rhyme schemes that are there to help hook the listener. If you look back at the lyrics you can see places we’ve highlighted certain places of poetic annotation.
10. Works Cited Devenish, Colin (2001), Rage Against the Machine: St. Martin's Griffin ISBN 0-312-27316-6 http://www.search.com/reference/Rage_Against_the_Machine#Reunion_.282007.29 http://www.ratm.com/ www.mtv.com/music/artist/rage_against_the_machine/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd
