List Of Demands (Reparations)

Album: Single release only (2018)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song was originally recorded by New York hip-hop artist, poet and actor Saul Williams for his 2004 self-titled album. The Kills covered the track 14 years later. Vocalist Alison Mosshart described the track as "a song of strength and empowerment, rooted in the idea of rising above."

    She added: "It was one of those songs you're almost scared to cover because it carries so much respect. It wasn't a straight up love song or a drug song. It was defined, serious, and perfect already. With certain songs you feel like an intruder trying to sing them, but this one felt like my own."
  • Guitarist Jamie Hince said the song was "so impactful" to The Kills. "It was the kind of song that would come on backstage and everyone would stop what they were doing and stand up," he explained. "The more I found myself listening to the lyrics, the more I heard in them, and found myself singing along with goosebumps. The brilliant thing about it is that it speaks to so many different ideas – a true underground thing like the best Iggy Pop songs."
  • Williams gave the Kills' version his seal of approval. He said: "I always felt envious of the way the 60s generation shared songs and ideologies. Jimi singing Dylan. Rotary Connection singing Otis Redding. The Stones singing the blues. This is all part of the beauty and power of music and it reverberates deeply in me. All this to say, I'm honored. I liked The Kills before they chose to cover 'LOD.' If they can feel themselves in that song, it's because they are as much a part of it as I am."

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