Killing in the Name

"Killing in the Name"
Black-and-white photo of man in flames. In black letterbox border is white text "rage against the machine; killing in the name."
Single by Rage Against the Machine
from the album Rage Against the Machine
ReleasedNovember 2, 1992 (1992-11-02)[1][2]
Genre
Length5:14
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Rage Against the Machine singles chronology
"Killing in the Name"
(1992)
"Bullet in the Head"
(1992)
Rage Against the Machine reissued singles chronology
"Killing in the Name"
(2009)
Audio sample
Alternative cover
Large red block capitals on black background reads "killing in the name."
Australasia cover

"Killing in the Name" is a song by the American band Rage Against the Machine, and appears on their 1992 self-titled debut album. It features heavy drop-D guitar riffs. The lyrics protest police brutality, inspired by the beating of Rodney King and the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

"Killing in the Name" was released as the lead single from Rage Against the Machine in November 1992. It reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2009, following a public campaign protesting the British talent show The X Factor, "Killing in the Name" became the UK Christmas number one.

  1. ^ "Billboard". 28 November 1992.
  2. ^ "Behind the Meaning of Rage Against the Machine's 1992 Hit "Killing in the Name"". 11 May 2022.