- Down Rodeo
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"Down Rodeo" 
Single by Rage Against the Machine from the album Evil Empire Released 16th November 1996 Format CD Genre Rap metal Length 5 min 20 s Producer Brendan O'Brien, Rage Against the Machine Rage Against the Machine singles chronology "People of the Sun"
(1996)"Down Rodeo"
(1996)"Vietnow"
(1997)"Down Rodeo" was a promotional single by Rage Against the Machine sent out to various American radio stations. The song was to be the third single taken from their Evil Empire album, although a domestic single and video was never released. This was most likely because of Rage's excessive touring during this period.
The lyrics appear to deal with the social inequality between the rich and poor of America, and class war. The verse states "So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo with a shotgun, These people ain't seen a brown skin man, Since their grandparents bought one". These lines, and also the title, are a direct reference to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, one of the wealthiest shopping districts in the world. The line "Fuck the G-rides, I want the machines that are making them" is a reference to workers' self-management. There is speculation that the title stems from the 1992 LA Riots. The title and lyrics could also possibly be referring to a tactic used by the Black Panther Party in which they would carry shotguns in full view down California streets. There is also a reference to Black Panther activist Fred Hampton.
Down Rodeo made its live debut at a secret show on April 19th, 1996, at the Dragonfly in Los Angeles, CA.
Track listing
- "Down Rodeo"
External links
- Official Website
- Axis of Justice Tom Morello and Serj Tankian's Activist Website "Axis Of Justice"
- Vietnow.org Rage Against The Machine news resource and forum
- Down Rodeo at Allmusic
Categories:- Rage Against the Machine songs
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