Album: Evil Empire (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Rodeo" refers to Rodeo Drive, a very upscale community in Los Angeles. The song is about how poor people need to direct their anger toward the upper class instead of killing themselves by destroying each other and their neighborhoods. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Tim - Pittsburgh, PA
  • The line, "We Hungry But Them Belly Full" refers to the title of a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers which laments the nutritional injustices of class society.
  • The line mentioning Fred Hampton is a reference to the Charismatic leader of the radical Black Panther Party. Hampton was killed in a controversial FBI raid on the Black Panther headquarters in Chicago. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bob - Tokyo, Japan, for above 2

Comments: 13

  • Questionsofreakalittybittytitties from SomewhereouthereBut where does religious practices (or lack there of) fall into place with all this nonsensical talk of meanings and injustices?
  • Nathanuel from Ohio.That’s a dumb idea. Get mad at people with money …… why
  • Angie from La@Skylar from Tahlequah, Ok.
    Are you serious that you think that this is one of the few racially fueled songs by RATM” ? You might want to go check some of the lyrics.
  • Anon from AnonTruf, “make a move and plead the fifth cause you can’t plead the first” means that the “brown-skinned men” from earlier have to use the right to remain silent because they cannot use the first amendment which guarantees that all are equal.
  • Truf from TxJust remember the end line. As all the superficial meanings said are true, the ending is what the real culprit to the problem is. People are upset because we all are wanting what we “can’t have” “ don’t have” the material goods that make anyone think they are poor because we don’t have. So we think it’s injustice. If we have this mentality then we are the only ones to blame. No one holds you down only yourself. “ make a move and plead the fifth cause you can’t plead the first” do something about it but don’t self incriminate by doing it stupid like rolling down rodeo with a shotgun. Real ambition should be set on creating something not acquiring something. “F--k the g-ride, I want the machines that are making them” g ride is the ultra status that is the ultra rich that is the private jets of the g6. So don’t look at this song as preaching injustice but putting it down by not giving into this notion that material goods or not having them is injustice. Real in justice is believing that lie and trapping ourselves.
  • Siena from GunterI want this album for my birthday&this song is amazing
  • Edward from Downey, Ca"Rolling down rodeo with a shotgun" sounds like he wants to put an end to all the continued discrimination that still goes on,especially in a so-called upper class areas like rodeo drive and bevely hills."These people ain't seen a brown skinned man since thier grandparents bought one" aounds like a continued segregation against black and browned skinned people, who are obviuosly looked down upon and chased off by white people who are ignorant .
  • Joey from North Barrington, IlI agree with Bert, the line is all too true.
  • Tat from Austin, TxI was told that Rodeo was a rich part of Californio and when zak refers to with a shot gun rolling down rown. Hes saying shoot the rich pricks and take the power back
  • Skylar from Tahlequah, Okone of the few racially fueled songs by RATM. about how anyone of dark complection be it, native american black mexican or a mix of them, is not a usual part of the upper class society
  • Chris from Las Vegas, United StatesSo now I'm rollin Down Rodeo with a Shotgun, these people ain't seen a brown skin man since their grandparents bought one. The message is pretty simply put I think.
  • Bert from Pueblo, Nm"Make a move and plead the fifth 'cause ya can't plead the first"
    Best freakin' line in any RATM song.
  • Tom from Northport, NyWhen they say "They ain't gonna send us campin' like they did my man Fred Hampton", Fred Hampton was one of the founders of the Black Panthers, who was killed in his apartment by Chicago Police
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tommy James

Tommy JamesSongwriter Interviews

"Mony Mony," "Crimson and Clover," "Draggin' The Line"... the hits kept coming for Tommy James, and in a plot line fit for a movie, his record company was controlled by the mafia.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.