Rage Against The Machine’s iconic track ‘Killing In The Name’ has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify. Guitarist Tom Morello celebrated the milestone on X with a message to fans and critics alike.
“‘KILLING IN THE NAME’ just hit 1 billion streams on Spotify! Thanks to all those who listened to it: those who love it, those who hate it, and those that have enjoyed it without understanding it. Righteous proof that rebel music and irony are alive and well,” he wrote.
Morello has frequently used his social media platforms to share his political views and critique some Rage Against The Machine fans for misinterpreting the band’s messages. A few years ago, he openly criticized fans who didn’t grasp the group’s political undertones.
“Never ceases to amaze me how many folks who’ve heard RATM are in Paul Ryan mode, having literally ZERO understanding of anything that band was about and even less understanding where any of us might stand on contemporary issues,” Morello tweeted at the time.
He also shared a personal story about a fan misinterpreting ‘Killing In The Name.’ “Recently was talking to a couple at a restaurant who were big fans of ‘Killing In The Name.’ The nice lady said, ‘I love that song. It helped me rage against my parents and later against the jab!’ I said, ‘Ma’am that song is about racist cops who often behave like the Ku Klux Klan in service of historical white supremacy and are boot licking lackeys and thugs of the racist capitalist ruling class.’ She sat there chewing and blinking, chewing and blinking.”
When questioned by a user about his stance, Morello added, “If she presumes to tell a fella who was actually in the room when the song was written what the song is ‘really’ about then I reserve the right to raise my hand and say, ‘no, ma’am.'”
This incident follows past moments when Morello and others on X poked fun at fans who were surprised to learn that Rage Against The Machine is a political band.
