[Lists] My Top 10 Rage Against The Machine Songs
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It was 2007 and the world had already grown accustomed to Rage Against the Machine‘s uncharacteristic silence. The site was San Bernardino’s Glen Helen Pavilion (now named San Manuel Amphitheater) and the occasion was Rock the Bells. I was 20 years-old. Already an avid and embedded Rage fan by then, I couldn’t help but feel both a state of disbelief and gratitude for having the opportunity to experience a reunion of such epic proportions. It was like having one of your favorite athletes return from years of retirement and put on a show as if they had never left.
The energy in that place was chaotically palpable in a myriad of forms, 30-man mosh pits and fires of death were prevalent among a ubiquitous fragrance of pepper spray. It was all terrifyingly fitting for a Rage Against the Machine concert that had been dormant for several years – a sonic volcano that erupted before 50,000 people who had been starving for this moment. A day I will never forget, and anticipate reliving (perhaps without the fires of death) at LA Rising July 30th.
Take a look at my top 10 Rage Against the Machine tracks and comment on yours.
Bombtrack
A seed was planted when Rage Against the Machine dropped their self-titled debut in 1992, unleashing a chain reaction of fandom and media intrigue upon its release. “Bombtrack,” translated from the hip-hop realm as a “bomb” or “the s**t,” startlingly and swiftly introduced the dynamic bass/guitar tandem of Tim Commerford and Tom Morello like a sonic juggernaut. An aggregation of hip-hop, metal, and political music had arrived on a scale unforseen before, and RATM firmly and aggressively shoved its way to the top.
KROQ’s Almost Acoustic Christmas 1993 is the only time Rage performed the acoustic version of “Bombtrack.” Listen to it here.
Landlords and power whores
On my people they took turns
Dispute the suits I ignite
And then watch ‘em burn
Vinnie
May 17, 2011 12:21 pm
You picked ten winners. I would have included “The Ghost of Tom Joad” in there as well.
My favorite Zeke Piestrup memory is when he got to play “Down Rodeo” as a KROQ world premiere when it showed up at the station one late afternoon in a brown paper bag. He announced it as “Down Rodeo” …but instead of “Rodeo” as in the street, he said “Rodeo” as in clowns, bulls and horses.
Ray
May 17, 2011 1:21 pm
This should have been #1!!!!! Awesome song!! Glad Rage pulled it out of retirement when they returned at Coachella!!
jeffquigleytest
May 17, 2011 1:25 pm
I applaud you for getting it down to 10 and a couple honorable mentions. Rage is still one of my all time fav bands, and I’m jealous you got to see them live. The energy in their music still resonates within me. Just pure and honest jams…
kris
May 17, 2011 4:56 pm
1.Vietnow
2.township rebelion
3.down rodeo
4. Testify
5.fredom
6.bulls on parade
7.bomb track
8. No shelter
9. Know your enemy
10. Killing in the name
RC2011
May 17, 2011 5:24 pm
10) Freedom
9) Take The Power Back
8) Snake Charmer
7) Revolver
6) Testify
5) Killing In The Name
4) Bombtrack
3) Sleep Now In The Fire
2) People Of The Sun
1) Year Of The Boomerang
RC2011
May 17, 2011 5:25 pm
8)* Snake Charmer
Abel
May 17, 2011 9:34 pm
No Know your Enemy or Renegades?! Understandable since Rage has so many good songs
mnkygerl
May 19, 2011 6:47 pm
My husband and I were also there and couldn’t agree with you more! Can’t wait until July!! RATM!!!