Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys
“Riot” is about riots, obviously. The Dead Kennedys talk about how violent riots can be, and how both sides of the riot always get hurt in one way or another. In a way, they say that rioting is similar to a drug. Yes, you get an “unbeatable high,” but the hangover is terrible.
[Intro]
Rioting, the unbeatable high
Adrenaline shoots your nerves to the sky
Everyone knows this town is gonna blow
And it's all gonna blow right now
[Verse 1]
Now you can smash
All the windows that you want
All you really need are
Some friends and a rock
Throwing a brick never felt
So damn good
Smash more glass
Scream with a laugh
And wallow with the crowds
Watch them kicking people's ass
[Verse 2]
But you get to the place
Where the real slave drivers live
It's walled off by the riot squad
Aiming guns right at your head
So, you turn right around
And play right into their hands
And set your own neighborhood
Burning to the ground instead
[Chorus]
Riot, the unbeatable high
Riot, shoots your nerves to the sky
Riot, playing right into their hands
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
[Verse 3]
Get your kicks in quick
They're callin' the National Guard
Now could be your only chance
To torch a police car
Climb the roof, kick the siren in
And jump and yelp for joy
Quickly, dive back in the crowd
Slip away now, don't get caught
[Verse 4]
Let's loot the spiffy Hi-Fi store
Grab as much as you can hold
Pray your full arms don't fall off
Here comes the owner with a gun
[Chorus]
Riot, the unbeatable high
Riot, shoots your nerves to the sky
Riot, playing right into their hands
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
[Bridge]
The barricades spring up from nowhere
Cops in helmets line the lines
Shotguns prod into your bellies
The trigger fingers want an excuse now
The raging mob has lost its nerve
There's more of us, but who goes first?
No one dares to cross the line
The cops know that they've won
It's all over, but not quite
The pigs have just begun to fight
They club your heads, kick your teeth
Police can riot all that they please
[Chorus]
Riot, the unbeatable high
Riot, shoots your nerves to the sky
Riot, playing right into their hands
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Riot, the unbeatable high
Riot, shoots your nerves to the sky
Riot, playing right into their hands
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
[Outro]
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Tomorrow, you're homeless
Tonight, it's a blast
Riot was written by East Bay Ray & Jello Biafra & Klaus Flouride & D. H. Peligro & Dead Kennedys.
Riot was produced by Thom Wilson & East Bay Ray & Dead Kennedys.