K.I.A. (Killed in Action)
by Jet

Album: Shaka Rock (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track from Australian rock band Jet's third studio album, Shaka Rock. Along with other young, hungry rockers like The Vines and The Hives, Jet made a big impact in the early '00s. Their debut album, Get Born, earned international acclaim and broke them in America when "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" was used in a commercial for the Apple iPod. They were overworked and a bit overindulged by the time they put out their next album, Shine On, in 2006, and it didn't do nearly as well. Shaka Rock appealed to their core fans but didn't grow their audience. Jet were grounded from 2011-2017 but got back together to tour.
  • This hard-charging song tackles the war-like pressures of everyday life. Jet drummer Chris Cester explained to Billboard magazine: "I had this idea of certain elements of life being like a war zone. The song has an operatic, dramatic feel, and it really mirrors the dramatic content of the song, which is suburban warfare."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.