What Makes This Song Great? "Killing in the Name of" Rage Against The Machine

In this episode we explore the music of Rage Against The Machine. This is one of my favorite rock bands!
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[@agreen182]

Tom Morello wrote the riff while teaching someone else how drop D tuning worked. He had to pause the lesson to record what he was playing and it turned into this song :'D

[@Timliu92]

Ikr! Creativity often comes in unexpected times and places!

[@CentralggK]

Did you just come from loudwire

[@scottbowey]

@@rileybowman5988 lmaoo i saw a couple episodes of his master class and he said this.

[@fanieldox]

was that not Sleep Now In The Fire???

[@icarogois7116]

@@fanieldox I think it was. I know that it wasn't killing in the name

[@Bluebuthappy182]

Ahhhh Killing in the Name of, one of my favourite Christmas songs :-)

[@williamrichmond6219]

More of an easter song

[@tehpanasmanis5662]

William Richmond i think he mention how ratm win uk no.1 chart at 2010 againts xfactor winner.

[@canindianofficial]

A great Christmas anthem, no dought!

[@Smason432]

My grandma plays this song during dinner time in Yemen during Ramadan

[@boho3785]

My favorite love song

[@lewiswilliams1893]

Vocally Zack is essentially a slam poet with a titanic backing band. Which is awesome.

[@maria.maverick]

Nicely put!

[@mysteradio]

i agree.

[@Homanjer]

Never thought about it that way but it she makes sense haha

[@somebodysthrowaway]

Zack is just an upper middle class edge lord. His vocals and lyrics we're overly repetitive and in cadence

[@tylarjackson7928]

That vocals and drums section at 9:39 could absolutely be slam poetry. He's got the emotive voice for it too.

[@herrdoktorknowitall]

Wilk and Commerford are unsung heros of this band. That rhythm section is tighter as hell.

[@maxdoubt6504]

"You'll notice the reverb on the BASS Actually fills in the SPACE Where the guitar has the BRACE" 3:13

[@JakeKokinsMusic]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🧯🔥🔥🔥👩‍🚒📛🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@pinSjon79]

That's poetry

[@lloyddarbon5034]

Boom!

[@sv8945]

Reminds me of Og loc's rap😂

[@TheRealBlueSwan]

Beato got bars.

[@NODcepter]

Lets be serious here. Musicality (which is impressive) aside, this song is great because of how absolutely furious Zack de la Rocha is. Listen to any cover of this song and it just doesn't hit as hard. It's his rage that makes this song great.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

That's punk!

[@wowt]

It is almost like he's. ( •_•)>⌐■-■ Raging against a machine (⌐■_■)

[@MJHiteshew]

unfortunately it got censored in this version

[@aniquinstark4347]

The only cover that meets or exceeds Zack's vocals is Denzel Curry's on Like A Version.

[@lasseheller9863]

@@aniquinstark4347 i agree, denzel really managed to hold his own.

[@MadMaxBS]

The whole self titled Rage album is fantastic, classic song after classic song on that one. You could do a What Makes This Song Great on practically any song off that record.

[@size14steeltoes]

I don't think there's one bad song on the whole thing. That song alone has been the inspiration to walk off a few shitty jobs, middle fingers held proudly to the sky.

[@jackwhorton6826]

@@size14steeltoes 100% This album was the first I ever bought back in the early 90s and I just had to pick up a guitar....

[@IMP3TIGO]

Yeah. Their other albums, not so much.

[@feverpyretic]

Especially Bullet in the Head, which the band admitted they could never perform quite as well as the version they first played. (Which ended up on the record)

[@nigward3966]

@@IMP3TIGO nah. Tbh I think TBOLA is them at their peak. The creativity is crazy. Not to mention Zack’s rapping is so much better than the earlier albums. Evil empire was like a blend of both albums. Which makes sense considering it’s in the middle of those two lol

[@NahTrust]

3:14 that was the smoothest sentence I’ve ever heard

[@jamilmcclelland8304]

Nice

[@stylos951]

Wow diden't catch how smooth it was until rewatched nice.

[@Outer0Heaven]

I don't know why, but as a audio engineer/mixer, it's so humbling hearing each track seperatly. Makes you appreciate the craft and mix even more! Great series man

[@jimpoulos01]

where do they get access to the files so you can isolate tracks? would make learning the separate instruments really fun

[@alexconn6149]

That’s what I want to ask too

[@josephhutchins8]

Jim Poulos unless the band or the engineer has released it your best bet is Guitar Hero as it has the stem’s for all the songs in the games

[@cactustactics]

do a search for "isolated tracks" or stems, people have uploaded a lot of them ripped from the games

[@justinkey8832]

In the movie "School of Rock" Jack Black's character explains that Rock and Roll is about sticking it to The Man. I think no song epitomizes that more than "Killing in the Name of" Especially the uncensored version.

[@andrewlaw]

Anarchy In The UK by the Sex Pistols

[@rocketshiptoaltair]

@@andrewlaw There's also that classic "You Know Where You Can Stick Your Job" By The Long Term Unemployed. ;)

[@dinosaursrlame]

Not Rock but Kanye’s “Spaceship” is also a great fuck “the man” song. The “if my manager insults me again, I will be assaulting him” line really hits when you hate your job.😂

[@gibby3350]

3:15 Rick dropping some bars here 😂

[@NotQuiteFirst]

😂🤣😂

[@operationblackoutsecondinc5296]

True. I noticed that too lmao

[@croman5931]

lmao

[@isaacbobjork7053]

Yeah heard that

[@davidgomersall7185]

One of my favourite moments at our wedding was when the band we'd hired blasted this out at the assembled ranks of Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents. Unlike Rick, they did not censor the closing refrain 🤣🤣🤣🤘

[@jingle1161]

I'm not really into this kinda music but man I love this song. It triggers a very primal aggressiveness that wants to smash anything that's unfair in this world.

[@richkraemer9585]

One of my favourite 90’s songs also. Kinda glossed over Zack’s “f**k you I won’t do what you tell me “ which is an intense ending and a part of the big build up... “mother f**ker”!

[@hellaacapella]

You gotta do what you gotta do to get your video across to all age groups

[@willman43]

Everyone loves Tom Morello’s guitar playing, riff writing etc. (rightfully so) I have always loved Brad Wilks drumming, he’s amazing.

[@dcfan1107]

Loved his work in Audioslave, as well. Definitely underrated.

[@str8edge_amethyst]

And I have always been a fan of Tim Commerford.

[@MrByebyelove]

Obviously Black Sabbath was taking notice. Pretty cool validation for wilkman

[@inz1]

Seeing this song performed live is an out of body experience. Take my word for it.

[@guusvanes8963]

Totally agree. Earth shaking. Never experienced anything like that before and after....

[@Wishbone1977]

Don't have to. Experienced it myself in 1993. Although for me, the _real_ out of body experience was the ending of Bullet In The Head, when the drums kicked into high gear. I swear, at that point, everyone in the place were mentally floating under the ceiling, looking down at the seething mass of bodies below. And no, I hadn't smoked anything ;-)

[@nigelhutchinson5332]

Can confirm.

[@JamesPriest-vk8dd]

U got that right..

[@dalekay9ine]

We need to talk about that cowbell part a LOT MORE!!!!

[@nopenever3]

Always Need more cowbell

[@DeGuerre]

I like the distinction between "singer" and "vocalist". I feel the same way about John Lydon of the Sex Pistols. Not really a singer, but a fantastic vocalist.

[@rockboy360]

Pseudonym73 I consider Zach a phenomenal vocalist , but he is definitely a rapper, his style isn't much different from The Beastie Boys' type of rap.

[@Gnurklesquimp]

I seem to remember a few songs where he switched up the rhythms, tonality and lyrics* in more ways than just to build tension over mostly consistent patterns, I think it's kind of a faded line. Pharcyde - She said (Amsterdam Mix) is one example I like where the line between rapping and singing is walked, I think Drake is also known for this.

[@lemsdarkapprentice2535]

is that before he sold out and started lying, saying that punk was "ironic" (which was the time he started getting invited to swanky garden parties)? :) [el'sda2].

[@shayneoneill1506]

Bob Dylans probably a good example too. The guy is technically a pretty bad singer, but he pulls off his extremely limited range with enough attitude and personality (And some astonishingly good lyrical writing) that it becomes almost entrancing to hear.

[@hampusbolin125]

Same thing with Anthony kiedis.

[@mbvglider]

One thing I love about this song is the sudden tempo changes. The intro is fast, then the straight eighths verses are slow, and the shuffled build/chorus sections are fast. It's not a huge difference, but it's just enough to feel it. And then, right at the end, it ends on the fast intro riff, so you're like, "what just happened?" And that FU build is absolutely masterful. I love how every musician at that point is sort of just playing endless fills at that point and there shouldn't be any real sense of rhythm, but it's the vocals that keep the time in that section and give it a groove.

[@zpawn1]

"you will notice that the reverb on the bass actully fills in the space where the guitar has the brace..." Bars!

[@tycography]

zpawn1 LOL

[@goodman8601]

Fire!!! mixtape dropping soon

[@janbartolome9094]

Drop mic

[@aquathemage1680]

@@janbartolome9094 drop d

[@wild_lee_coyote]

One of the things that rarely gets mentioned is how the simple lyrics and repetitive lines create a simple indoctrination. The breaks, transitions and tempo changes keep ramping up the energy. When it gets to the end a new line rebels against what the previous lyrics hammered into you. The lyrics coupled with the high energy and simple riffs make this a very powerful and iconic song. The fact that the lyrics and message haven’t changed in 27 years and yet as still very relevant is a sad commentary on our society.

[@konroh2]

It's relevant to rage against corrupt power, true. But it's certainly not true that we are in an era where crosses are often burned in people's yards.

[@andrewdods2236]

Agreed, in all areas :-/

[@SatanDynastyKiller]

Only sad commentary is anyone falling for RATM AntiAmerican, Social Justice driven, Marxist Communist ideology contained in the lyrics…

[@bobflick9496]

@@konroh2 no it's just kneeling on someone's neck for 9 minutes nowadays ..... which is admittedly harder to work in lyrically....

[@konroh2]

@@bobflick9496 Kneeling on someone's neck for 9 minutes doesn't kill them. Try it yourself. I'm serious. It's a recognized non-lethal police procudure. Now admittedly one has to be careful, particularly if the criminal is high on fentanyl and has heart problems.

[@ottebya]

still remember when I first heard this track, I was an 8th grader in an advanced high school art class and the teacher let the students play their own music (mind blowing in itself hehe) and this huge high schooler put this track on and towering over the classroom like some force of nature he started mouthing the FU chorus waving his arm (all while drawing or painting or something 😂) and my little brain f'n MELTED haha I couldnt believe this bigger world outside of middle school existed and that music like this was real. I later became an art teacher and let my students play their own music hehe ✊🤘

[@mikealexander2005]

"the reverb on the bass fills in the space where the guitar has the brace." Rick makes the point that the place of the bass is to chase the space so the grace of the face can't erase the brace. I agree. I think.

[@corybanter]

I just "discovered" this channel last night, and I'm finding it FASCINATING. It's giving me even more appreciation for a ton of songs that I already loved! Thanks, Rick, for your amazing musical knowledge and ability to break down the elements that make these songs work so well...

[@Leftistbreakfist]

This song is so complex and so simple. So deep and so simple. Just... a masterpiece.

[@JonnyOpinionated]

It's personal for everyone. This song is on my Mt. Rushmore. The intro, the vocals, every instrument in a harmony of mathematical precision (yet simultaneous chaos), the intensity and energy. If you think there is a better ending to a song I'd love to hear it. (the cliche fade out can't cut it.)

[@ultramet]

This series is the best thing on KZbin right now. Period. I recently bought your book and will keep supporting your channels. You are a great instructor. Thanks.

[@StudioMargalima]

That was a killer song back then. This rough sound, but sharp as razor, with a clear political message, amidst an allready heavy guitar infused pop scene (Metallica, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, etc) was a smack in your face. Imagine hearing this as an teenager. The midverse guitar lick at the second verse is also notewhorthy, for giving a break to avoid foolish constistency. Even after having not heard the complete song in at least 26 years, i know that lick.

[@monicaperry1532]

I saw them play this in high school. Awesome

[@Andy_Classic]

You're telling me you haven't listened to or heard this song in it's entirety for the last 26 years?

[@StudioMargalima]

@@Andy_Classic That's right. Not in its entirity, i recall. Before i heard it uncountable times...

[@johnkaplun9619]

"Guitar not overly distorted" *next section* "Fuzz bass!"

[@StudioMargalima]

The different tempos, the heavy guitars, Zacks fury, the message, the build-up. This song is a bomb and was destined to blow up in your face. Like i said earlier, though i wasn't there myself, but RATM blew the ceiling of every venue they'd played i'd guessed, and from what i've saw on TV back then. Anger was sometimes quite a driving forces for music in the 90s,.lol.

[@guyjerry]

This song has the rawest expression of rage of any song I’ve ever heard. The musicality is amazing, the song was actually first performed as an instrumental. But it becomes iconic due to the alchemy of that music with the 100% authentic and infectious RAGE in Zach’s one of a kind vocals. That’s what truly makes it great.

[@echoheadband]

I love all the bleed in each of the different tracks from the fact that they recorded it live in the studio.

[@TenTen32]

first heard this song on the radio sat in my car outside my girlfriends parents house in about 1993. 4 years later we got married & have been ever since. I'm 51 this year and it still gets me pumped every time I hear it. A lot of things have happend in the 27 years or so since i was sat in my car outside my girlfriends house but this song still sounds fresh & relevant at the same time as it reminds me of much simpler times in my life.

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

I was just thinking about this song's timelessness. Nearly 30 years later we still have not made a concerted effort to address the problem underlying this song and, unfortunately, I don't think we ever will. But this problem is as old as time. As long as power is disproportionately concentrated in one group other groups will suffer. This is just one of the elements of "human nature" we need to be willing to confront and subvert. We need to admit we have a problem before we can attempt to fix it. Many people are unwilling to admit it, no matter how many people die unnecessarily. Fistful of Steel is another track that gets me going, but this whole album is meant to fire you up to confront the problems in this country. It is one of my favorites.

[@kh2freek]

The song's actually just called Killing in the Name, even though he says 'of' every time in the song

[@-NIRN-]

Thank you for pointing it out!

[@feverpyretic]

This bothers me tremendously. Thank you.

[@3top5]

68 uears old. Always loved this song. Always.

[@41illusion]

Garth Richardson is my old teacher and I swear to god that man has ears like no other. The first RATM record he produced is still used for sound checking among other similar things for music/sound production. The best part about Garth is that he's a humble, good man. And I didn't know Andy Wallace mixed the first RATM record, but that doesn't surprise me considering how well mixed it is. I think Andy knows how to cut through all the details in music to really bring out the little things that make songs as special as they can be.

[@alisonmercieca1465]

We would request this at school discos just to see the teachers sprint to the stage to shut it down. They would have loved this version.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

Lollapalooza 96’ in New Orleans!!!! I was 18 and on lots of drugs!! Best live performance I’ve ever seen! At that time, I couldn’t believe Tom Morello was making the sounds live.....I had always thought there were samples or synths involved. Blew me away!

[@jjjunkie]

Everything about this song just shouts "POWER!!". Sends chills down my spine every time. Truly amazing production.

[@etiennedelaunois1737]

Rage against the machine censored is like a poem without the rimes. 😂🤣

[@goofyiest]

do you mean rhymes?

[@apl2606]

Absolutely. So disappointing. What's the point in censoring "fuck" and "motherfucker" after all? What's so bad about it. I do not get it. (I am European.)

[@MJHiteshew]

@@apl2606 demonetization

[@phillymccheesy4587]

R I M E S

[@swagar]

@@MJHiteshew I don't think it's that. The stems are likely sourced from Rock Band, so it wouldn't have been Rick censoring the vocals.

[@trol68419]

I have no idea what you're talking about 95% of the time (I know nothing of music theory tbh), but your methodical deconstruction combined with your infectious enthusiasm makes all your videos a joy to watch. Thank you for your wonderful work!

[@sleggarri]

RATM has my favorite rhythm section in rock. Took me awhile to warm up to Zach's vox, but his intensity and charisma eventually won me over. Mr. Morello is a master innovator, making simple, unique melodies that are always interesting.Each of the musicians in this band always left exactly the right amount of room for each other. That is really showcased here with your separation of the tracks. Thanks for another great episode.

[@LaLaGrunge]

Well said and nice thumbnail of Scott Weiland. I feel an STP episode coming soon on here ha

[@digitaljanus]

I love LOVE Tim Commerford's basslines. Not difficult, but such great essential grooves played with authority. I'd always warm up with something like "Bombtrack" or "Wake Up" when practicing. A really great balance of being fun to play while still upholding the fundamental role of the bass.

[@Steve_643]

Think Tim doesn’t get the credit for some of the harder riffs, definitely all do a great job of staying in their own pockets creating a unified sound on top of Zack’s energy feeding the bands energy and the band feeding it back to Zack until you sonic aggression that probably can’t be replicated.

[@maxximus1969]

You can tell how great Rick is breaking this down. I usually can’t stand this song being interrupted ever. But listening to him explain it all. I don’t mind. Great work Rick.

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

I love how the D major got bigger and bigger each time lol

[@ktulu193]

Everybody likes a major D to get bigger and bigger

[@pringelsthegamefreak]

David Well said xD.

[@jonnykhatru]

Hehe true except it's not a D Major is it? It's just a D5 power chord.

[@EXHellfire]

My D got bigger and bigger as the song progressed

[@FadeToBlackOps]

Yeah lol I don’t know why that’s so funny to me XD

[@brianrichmond23]

Rick is amazing. Played rhythm and chords forever but never dove into soloing until recently. Part of that is because of Rick. A lot of that is because he shows that Morello isn’t necessarily hard to play, but Morello is a genius at making a guitar sound a certain way with effects. Not to mention the coolest groove guitarist for me ever.

[@fictitiousproductions]

How great is it to be alive in a time when a genius like Rick, explains other geniuses and how they do stuff!!

[@MarkArandjus]

ZdlR was one of the best rappers of the 90's, and he's rarely talked about as such. Not only that but he was at the same time on of the best rock front men of his generation. Not seen before or since (not done well, anyway).

[@lks9770]

I don't know if you like The Mars Volta, but ... any of their songs (especially any from Frances The Mute) deserve your detailed analysis.

[@kbaeve]

LKS agreed!

[@djtoolhead]

I'm with you, but my suggestion would be Deloused In The Comatorium - Inertiatic ESP, Roulette Dares (The Haunt of), Televators. Or Vicarious Atonement off of Amputechture.

[@djtoolhead]

Better yet: do One-Armed Scissor!

[@DDB2020]

YES, PLEASE. Inertiatic ESP is probably my favorite.

[@austindorf83]

Holy crap all 32 minutes of Cassandra Gemini?!?!?!

[@desenova9135]

I swear Zach de la Rocha is one of the few MCs who can spit with just a drum beat and nothing else, and still be as powerful as anyone else, if not more powerful.

[@antoniosaxon8605]

100% One Among A Select Few Greats

[@michaelrichards2524]

A few suggestions: -Gojira: Planned Obsolescence -Minus the Bear: Pachuca Sunrise -Dredg: Bug Eyes -Scar Symmetry: The Illusionist LOTS to unpack with any of these songs, from a textural standpoint. Thank you!

[@BabTheBabs]

Wow I had never realized how good the drums are on this song! It's amazing how many details you make us discover. Thanks Rick :)

[@kcmichelson4528]

They recorded it at Sound City in LA. Known for the best drum acoustics of any studio. Dave Grohl, his drums recorded their. For Nevermind Etc.

[@joeb4142]

Rick’s a huge drum guy

[@MangaMarjan]

Would have prefered "know your enemy". One of the best rock songs I've ever heard. The arrangment and the riffs are perfect. I always get goosebumps when morello plays this siren like lick and the bass starts to play the last riff. And then the epic drum fills at the end. Just awesome

[@wienersmcbutts]

Marjan The riffs on know your enemy destroy the ones on killing in the name

[@squirlmy]

All the songs he does are "hits"- the theme seems to be what makes popularly known songs great. If he just picked out technically underappreciated song, he'd lose half his audience. This is a guy whose been in the music business, after all. Little known songs don't get the clicks. It's a reality KZbinrs have to work with.

[@pr0ct3r0]

defo

[@timmynator8036]

And when Maynard starts to sing 😍😍

[@tammymoulton7588]

I love RATM, and all of their songs. Recently, Mic Check is doing it for me.

[@TheBritomart]

An aspect that Rick passed over is how the verse tempo is slowed down a skosh which builds the tension up to the chorus, genius

[@TheCajonista]

Some of those that use sauces are the same who burn sausage those who fried are justified for grillin it bad theyre the chosen bites uuurgh grillin in the name of!

[@filipfric]

Andri Saputra hahahahahaha you grilled it

[@thomashoek]

Amazing

[@Jinx-iw6zb]

Now you eat what they give ya.. Now you eat what they give ya..

[@s1d299]

@@Jinx-iw6zb Nah, you chew what they sold ya...

[@619BadDog]

Dude... Wtf... lmao Now I can't hear it like I used to be

[@brentkelly9864]

I was listening to this song while skiing Berthoud Pass Mines Peak, and I thought "gee I hope there's a Rick Beato analysis video for this one..." Now I'm listening to this vid on the drive home. You're the man, Rick!

[@abigailslade3824]

My favourite album ever, every song kicks ass lyrically, musically and the message is bang on.

[@kelwin58]

3:14 You'll notice that the reverb on the BASS Actually fills in the SPACE Where the guitar has the BRACE

[@atvena]

Do you reckon he even noticed in that moment lol

[@ger20cam11]

JUST ONE THING to make this episode perfect: Zack De La Rocha, who´s ancestors were Latin, mean that his surname doesn´t sound like ROCKA but ROSHA (the same sound from "SHAdow" for example). "Rocha" means "a ground previous to be harvested", and so it means a place, then "De La Rocha" is translated "from a clean ground prior to harvest". ("De La" means just like "Von" in german language). Just a small hint from a Latin American fan of Rick Beato and his superb job here!

[@quinosonic82]

Not exactly... it should sound like RObert, then CHeck, the final a pronounced like in Ass (soy 100% latino así que esa te la peleo a muerte, jajaja).

[@lesath7883]

Totally agreeing with Quino here. Pronouncing spanish is, in fact, very easy. You just pronounce every letter as it comes. Every vowel is a short vowel. No weird mute letters. No weird "ey"s and "ay"s. The CH in spanish and english are exactly the same, so no need to pronounce it in any special way. *some exceptions apply on H and X.

[@ger20cam11]

@@quinosonic82 es cierto, pero es para que los angloparlantes lo entiendan...LOL

[@TinkMcGathy]

I wish you would’ve added your perspective on the walk up on the guitars in the last verse. That is my favorite part of the whole song. They throw that in there to shake up the monotony of riff and it’s just brilliant.

[@thynysan]

Saw them when I was 17 in the summer of 97" in Charlotte, NC. One of my all time favorite bands.

[@adsensedd]

One of the best sounding records ever made. Great way to test your speakers. Everything is so punchy and crystal clear.

[@RobMR3]

I. LOVE. YOU. This is the third one I've watched today. And after each one I open WMP, put on my headphones, and listen yet another song I love, hearing more than I've ever heard before.

[@philipandrewlobb1365]

I remember all the f u's when I first heard this track at 10 years old. I climbed up on my bunkbed and moshed like King Kong. Awesome break down Rick!

[@edthejester]

Philip Andrew Lobb same. And still do when it is played and there is a moshing crowd

[@ToddErickson_MusicMan]

I was almost 28 when RATM came out... I remember it perfectly... Late Sunday night "new music radio show" on the local FM dial... DJ I knew... Said it was the most amazing thing he'd heard since Appetite for Destruction came out. Actually pulled over in my car and banged my head on the side of the road pounding on the steering wheel to the outro. Absolutely tore my face off. Soundgarden/Badmotorfinger, and Metallica/"Black Album" also came out in '91. What a time to be alive.

[@TheOrdoch]

Any time I hear "92" I think of "still in a room without a view"

[@Madboi_91]

We gotta take tha powah back! Lol

[@GamerParent]

I can't not :)

[@dxluxha-0175]

Every time I hear someone ask 'how long?'

[@ivyhallquist3159]

You got to know You got to know That when I say GO GO GO Pump up and amplify DEFY I’m a brother with a furious mind

[@cirobata3890]

Fistfull of steel!

[@michaeldavid1198]

Rick, I’ve been following you for about 2 years. I just started producing music at home with my little home studio set up. Thanks so much for doing What Makes This Song Great on all these amazing bands. I’ve gleaned so many tips on how to make music from hearing you break down what’s going on musically in these masterful songs. I don’t have your ear or your experience, but I’ve got enough knowledge to process your lessons and apply them to my own music. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise with the world.

[@Ephriam.]

Good luck making music, remember havin fun and doing something that you really enjoy.

[@Cesarini77]

How can anyone not like these type of song dissections? They are amazing! Rick's knowledge on the subject is enlightening. I guess haters gonna hate. Rick, keep doing your thing. I love your videos.

[@PaperMacheTea]

Rick inspires me so much. I fall in love with music a little more every time I watch one of his videos.

[@VelMa-opinion]

I've done some vocals myself, and I really, really admire Zack de la Rocha's spitting out the beats. He's so strong and his timing impeccable, that he drives the band on the records and even much of the time live. If I could spit out lines like that...

[@Chuchu_ETV]

The arrangement of this song is more thoughtful than the majority of rock/metal songs from that era. That's what gets me. It's simple but it works so well.

[@beckyproctor7632]

The perfect storm of amazing vocals, lyrics and bad ass instrumentals all coming together. This song is one of my favorites!

[@gosmo4504]

Ahh...high school memories. Knocked out in the pit. But I love the breakdown down here Rick...you really realize how well produced this album was. And the best description of Zac I have ever heard!

[@jeffhirata]

Epic video!!! I love hearing the individual recorded and processed parts for a song that I have loved for so long. Thanks Rick!

[@nissearkevid1995]

I would also love to see you breaking down something by The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Avenged Sevenfold, Supertramp, Rush or Bruce Springsteen. They have all produced songs with a lot of interesting layers. A wild card would also be something from one of my favourite albums of all time, Book of Shadows by Zakk Wylde.

[@alessandropinto126]

Great video! One thing I thought you would actually talk about is the pretty sophisticated tempo change from the intro to the main riff. The triplets at the end of the intro become the 8th notes of the main section which is pretty damn genius!

[@ThomasGeelens]

Thank you once gain Rick, I'm gaining so much insight in how my favorite tracks are build, this is gold. You are doing the work of angels!

[@DR.TheLaw]

"You'll notice that the reverb on the 'bass' actually fills in the 'space' where the guitar has the 'brace' " 3:13

[@danejurus69]

Killing in the name of. One of my favorite Christian gospel songs.

[@miket7098]

Dude!!! I just love what u do here with this reflections about these guys and bands!! Really Awsome!! Thank you.

[@jesseskander]

I cannot stop watching these "What makes this song great" videos. Picking up little details that I never knew were there in songs I've listened to for decades makes me appreciate them all over again. I also love that you can feel Rick's genuine enthusiasm for these songs while he's breaking them down. Please never stop making these!

[@Woutermannetje]

Thank you so much for allowing me to sample all the separate stems from my favourite songs! Great beat-making source material.

[@bhabyadeeprai2242]

3:14 MC Beato- You'll notice that reverb on the bass Actually fills the space Where the guitar has to brace

[@rafekatchadorian465]

Wow. That rhymes.

[@MigueUgartechea]

Censoring RATM is like going to Pornhub and watch SFW videos.

[@MigueUgartechea]

Safe for work, so no nudity.

[@r0berito]

Come on now, SFW porn is definitely 'top 10 greatest internet things' material.

[@mmoviefan7]

yes

[@maltron1472]

Just use xvideos

[@mrbunghole]

All of Hamilton the musical is available on Pornhub... just sayin.

[@QNPMEDIA]

My one nitpick is that Zack is absolutely a rapper. Don’t limit rapping to one genre or style

[@domcole8717]

Great breakdown of the song RB xo

[@strangebeard11]

Hey I realise you wanna keep it family friendly but it's really worth talking about the impact of how they actually drop the 'f' bomb in this song, it's so perfectly timed with the music and impactful in it's usage, and the repetition really brings something special to this song musically. Like it's not the same song when it's censored, it makes such a difference.

[@natashaowens2177]

Now I love how you pulled each part out of the song. That was really nice to hear and learn about. I had thought you would tell about musically what makes this song amazing. This is my first viewing of one of your videos. Keep them coming. ❤

[@lynnh7694]

Rage is the most creative bands ever. Original in every way possible.

[@cobra1995xx]

"Know your enemy" is THE song.. soooooo good

[@philhiggins4922]

I love, love, love these song run downs. And the time you spend you spend analyse the components of the song.

[@philhiggins4922]

But. Sorry to add the gate on the drums is horrible.

[@HotStrange]

Brad Wilk is such an underrated drummer. Love this video and love RATM. Evil Empire is one of my favorite albums ever, period.

[@SusanHopkins-ji3pe]

Brad’s in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame- not exactly underrated.

[@cyrilfiggis7978]

He's an intense vocalist... spot on 🤘

[@remualltone1790]

What makes this song great: the groove, the intensity and the riff.

[@jodi9295]

You'll notice that the reverb on the bass -actually fills in the space -where the guitar has the brace

[@patrickconlon7973]

What also makes it great is what the lyrics are raging about! They were pissed at what was going on at that time and they weren’t afraid to tell that to the world, big respect.

[@NonViolentSolutions]

That Dm7 outro has always been one of my favorite mini sections in a song. So glad you mentioned it!

[@headlessnation1631]

Love this series, cheers Rick!

[@marcpaters0n]

Radiohead - Paranoid Android. That would be an epic breakdown.

[@roejogen3313]

You my man , are a genius

[@nicolascueto7735]

Marc Paterson great idea

[@ethangilworth7891]

Marc Paterson that would be a long video

[@catherinerainville4232]

Yes!!!

[@brandonknight6104]

Guessing by now you saw he did it. Ep 31

[@darkwaven1795]

You made Soundgarden and RATM, now you can do audioslave, my favorite band of all time. Also good vid as always, by the way

[@prospero2121]

4:38 great point on how Tim's bass kicks ass

[@neckcheese1356]

One of my favorite bands, and also one of the few that I can think of where their debut album was better than anything else. I love the rest of their material, but this album has an intensity that hasn't been matched. It's also one of the most fun albums to jam along with. A lot of F# Blues riffs and Drop D grooves.

[@metalblade8787]

3:13 rick tries his hand at slam poetry.