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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
White riot, a riot of my own
White riot, I wanna riot
White riot, a riot of my own The Clash – White Riot
What is this?
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man, with a gun over there (Yeah, that's right, hah haha)
Tellin me, I got to beware
It's time we stop, children what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin, down
(Aiyo, I don't think they heard you, Stevie
Kick it to em again one more time)
It's time we stop, children what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin, down Public Enemy (Ft. Stephen Stills) – He Got Game (Album Version)
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.
What is this?
The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.
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The Irish Republican Army was a revolutionary militant organization which waged a guerrilla campaign throughout the 1910s to achieve Irish independence. Following the 1921 Anglo-Irish treaty, the organization split, with those in favour of the treaty (the Irish National Army) defeating their rivals.
Nonetheless, the anti-treaty members of IRA waged a terrorist campaign, which was revived with fervour later in the century, during the 60s-90s in what became known as the Troubles
The IRA’s goal wasn’t anarchy in any sense of the word, but the full ownership of the island of Ireland by the Republic of Ireland (or “Irish Republic): they decided the best way to do this was through violence against civilians and politicians, suggesting that Rotten really just wants violence, rather than any political revolution.
Rather than “suggesting that Rotten really just wants violence,” Rotten seems opposed to the actions of the IRA. The first three regimes listed in this verse are noted for their crimes against civilians, which shouldn’t happen in the UK.
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John Lydon is a second-generation Irish Londoner. Back when he was Johnny Rotten, the UDA was targeting Irish Catholics while the IRA was attacking London (and other English cities). By putting the two groups side-by-side, even rhyming them so their names seem barely distinct, he hints that they’re as bad as each other and he himself could easily be a target of both.
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While saying this he has a voice crack
16
He’s saying it shouldn’t matter what country you’re born in or what God you worship. Everyone should have equivalent rights and nobody should be poor or deprived of their liberty in the name of God, country, or even anarchy but realistically we know that people tend to form groups and camps and follow the wealthiest and best educated leaders that share their beliefs. Of course we know it’s all B.S. but they can’t immigrate or they need the money so they have no choice but to obey.