Speak English or Die

Album: Speak English Or Die (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is a brutal assault on immigrants in America, with some ugly slurs thrown about. The nasty vitriol is not to be taken seriously, however, as it's really just a goof on small-minded folks who blame others for their shortcomings.
  • Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.) was formed by Anthrax members Charlie Benante and Scott Ian, along with Dan Lilker and Billy Milano. The lyrics to this one were written by Lilker, who told us, "I wrote most of the more obnoxious lyrics, like, 'Speak English or Die.' Scott had a bunch of them written already. Those lyrics are just shock value provocation. We were just writing the wackiest s--t we could think of and laughing."

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.