Album: Evil Empire (1996)
Play Video
  • Yeah I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun
    These people ain't seen a brown skin man
    Since their grandparents bought one

    So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun
    These people ain't seen a brown skin man
    Since their grandparents bought one

    So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun

    Bangin' this bolo tight on this solo flight can't fight alone
    Funk tha track my verbs fly like tha family stone
    Tha pen devils set that stage for tha war at home
    Locked wit out a wage ya standin' in tha drop zone
    The clockers born starin' at an empty plate
    Momma's torn hands cover her sunken face
    We hungry but them belly full
    The structure is set ya neva change it with a ballot pull
    In tha ruins there's a network for tha toxic rock
    School yard ta precinct, suburb ta project block
    Bosses broke south for new flesh and a factory floor
    The remains left chained to the powder war

    Can't waste a day when the night brings a hearse
    So make a move and plead the fifth 'cause ya can't plead the first
    Can't waste a day when the night brings a hearse
    So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun
    These people ain't seen a brown skin man
    Since their grandparents bought one

    Yes I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun
    These people ain't seen a brown skin man
    Since their grandparents bought one

    So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun

    Bare witness to tha sickest shot while suckas get romantic
    They ain't gonna send us campin' like they did my man Fred Hampton
    Still we lampin' still clockin' dirt for our sweat
    A ballots dead so a bullet's what I get
    A thousand years they had tha tools
    We should be takin' 'em
    Fuck tha G-ride I want the machines that are makin' em
    Our target straight wit a room full of armed pawn to
    Off tha kings out tha west side at dawn

    Can't waste a day when the night brings a hearse
    Make a move and plead the fifth 'cause ya can't plead the first
    Can't waste a day when the night brings a hearse
    So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun
    These people ain't seen a brown skin man
    Since their grandparents bought one

    Yeah I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun
    These people ain't seen a brown skin man
    Since their grandparents bought one

    Yeah I'm rollin' down Rodeo wit a shotgun

    The rungs torn from the ladder can't reach the tumour
    One god, one market, one truth, one consumer

    Just a quiet peaceful dance!
    Just a quiet peaceful dance!
    Just a quiet peaceful dance!
    Just a quiet peaceful dance!
    Just a quiet peaceful dance for the things we'll never have
    Just a quiet peaceful dance for the things we don't have Writer/s: Brad J. Wilk, Thomas B. Morello, Timothy Commerford, Zack M. De La Rocha
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Wixen Music Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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

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.

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

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

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

George Harrison

George HarrisonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really steal George's wife? What's the George Harrison-Monty Python connection? Set the record straight with our Fact or Fiction quiz.

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?