Know Your Rights
Encyclopedia
"Know Your Rights" is a song by The Clash
. It was released as a single prior to the release of the album, Combat Rock
, on which it appears. The song was the first single from the album.
The song begins with the words “This is a public service announcement...with guitars!” The structure of the song revolves around the rights held by the poor and disenfranchised, in which the speaker of the song, presumably a villainous civil servant (whose identity is assumed in the song by vocalist Joe Strummer
), names the three actual rights. At the end, the notion that more rights should be granted is rebuffed by the speaker.
The three are:
The song is featured on the compilation album, Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11
, which followed up the 2004 documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11
by filmmaker Michael Moore
, where the track listing was selected by Moore based on the songs and the artists he listened to while creating the documentary.
covered the song as a b-side to their 'Kowalski' single in 1997.
"Know Your Rights" has been performed live many times by Pearl Jam
, most notably during their Riot Act Tour in 2003, and it also has been recorded on their live albums 7/11/03 - Mansfield, Massachusetts, 7/9/03 - New York, New York, and 3/3/03 - Tokyo, Japan.
The Frisk
also recorded a version of the song on their EP "Rank Restraint."
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
. It was released as a single prior to the release of the album, Combat Rock
Combat Rock
The album received positive reviews from critics, and reached the number two on the UK Albums Chart, the number seven on the Billboard Pop albums, and the top ten on many charts in other countries...
, on which it appears. The song was the first single from the album.
The song begins with the words “This is a public service announcement...with guitars!” The structure of the song revolves around the rights held by the poor and disenfranchised, in which the speaker of the song, presumably a villainous civil servant (whose identity is assumed in the song by vocalist Joe Strummer
Joe Strummer
John Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
), names the three actual rights. At the end, the notion that more rights should be granted is rebuffed by the speaker.
The three are:
- The right not to be killed. Murder is a crime, unless it is done by a policeman, or an aristocratAristocracy (class)The aristocracy are people considered to be in the highest social class in a society which has or once had a political system of Aristocracy. Aristocrats possess hereditary titles granted by a monarch, which once granted them feudal or legal privileges, or deriving, as in Ancient Greece and India,...
. - The right to food money, providing of course, you don't mind a little investigation, humiliation, and, if you cross your fingers, rehabilitation.
- The right to free speech (as long as you're not dumb enough to actually try it).
The song is featured on the compilation album, Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11
Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11
Songs and Artists That Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11 is a compilation album that followed up the 2004 documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11 by filmmaker Michael Moore. It is not the original soundtrack....
, which followed up the 2004 documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11
Fahrenheit 9/11
Fahrenheit 9/11 is a 2004 documentary film by American filmmaker and political commentator Michael Moore. The film takes a critical look at the presidency of George W. Bush, the War on Terror, and its coverage in the news media...
by filmmaker Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
, where the track listing was selected by Moore based on the songs and the artists he listened to while creating the documentary.
Cover versions
Primal ScreamPrimal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
covered the song as a b-side to their 'Kowalski' single in 1997.
"Know Your Rights" has been performed live many times by Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
, most notably during their Riot Act Tour in 2003, and it also has been recorded on their live albums 7/11/03 - Mansfield, Massachusetts, 7/9/03 - New York, New York, and 3/3/03 - Tokyo, Japan.
The Frisk
The Frisk
The Frisk was a punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed by Jesse Luscious, Mike Sexxx and Zach Attack, all former members of The Criminals, along with AFI member Hunter Burgan, following The Criminals 2000 breakup...
also recorded a version of the song on their EP "Rank Restraint."
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