Killing in the Name - wikipedia Killing in the Name This article is about the song. For the 2010 documentary, see Killing in the Name ( film ). `` Killing in the Name '' Single by Rage Against the Machine from the album Rage Against the Machine Released November 2, 1992 ( 1992 - 11 - 02 ) Format CD single 7 - inch single 12 - inch single cassette single digital download ( 2009 reissue ) Genre Alternative metal, nu metal Length 5 : 14 Label Epic Songwriter ( s ) Tim Commerford Zack de la Rocha Tom Morello Brad Wilk Producer ( s ) Rage Against the Machine Garth Richardson Rage Against the Machine singles chronology `` Killing in the Name '' ( 1992 ) `` Bullet in the Head '' ( 1992 ) Rage Against the Machine reissued singles chronology `` How I Could Just Kill a Man '' ( 2001 ) `` Killing in the Name '' ( 2009 ) Audio sample file help Alternative cover Australasia cover `` Killing in The Name '' is a song by American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, featured on their self - titled debut album, and was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992. Written about revolution against institutional racism and police brutality, `` Killing in The Name '' is widely recognized as the band 's signature song, and has been noted for its distinctive guitar riffs and heavy use of profanity. In 1993, the song peaked at number 25 in the United Kingdom. In 2009 it became the Christmas number one when it was the focus of a successful campaign to prevent The X Factor winner 's song from gaining the Christmas number one in the United Kingdom for a fifth successive year. Contents 1 Composition 2 Release 2.1 Controversies 2.2 2009 UK Christmas number one campaign 3 Music video 4 Artwork 5 Accolades 6 Live performances 7 Track listing 8 Personnel 9 Charts 9.1 Weekly charts 9.2 Year - end charts 9.3 Decade - end charts 9.4 All - time charts 10 Other appearances 10.1 In television 10.2 In video games 11 Cover versions 12 References 13 External links Composition `` Killing in the Name '' has been described as `` a howling, expletive - driven tirade against the ills of American society. '' The uncensored version contains the word `` fuck '' seventeen times. The song builds in intensity, with Zack de la Rocha chanting the line `` Fuck you, I wo n't do what you tell me '', murmuring the line the first four times, building in a crescendo the next four times and screaming angrily the line the final eight times culminating with De La Rocha screaming `` Motherfucker ! '' The song alludes to the history of some members of US police forces being members of or co-ordinating with white supremacist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan, whose symbol is the burning cross. The BBC News website refers to it as railing against `` the military -- industrial complex, justifying killing for the benefit of, as the song puts it, the chosen whites. '' The song reflects the racial tensions that exist in United States ; it was released six months after the Los Angeles Riots, which were triggered by the acquittal of four white police officers who beat black motorist Rodney King. Tom Morello created the heavier guitar riffs while teaching a student drop D tuning. He stopped the lesson and recorded the riff. The next day the band met in a studio and according to Morello the song `` Killing in the Name '' was created in a collaborative effort, combining his riff with `` Timmy C. 's magmalike bass, Brad Wilk 's funky, brutal drumming and Zack 's conviction ''. Like all Rage Against the Machine songs tuned to Drop D, it was recorded on a Fender Telecaster. Release `` Killing in the Name '' was originally written and recorded shortly after Rage Against the Machine formed as part of a 12 - song self - released cassette. The band 's first video for `` Killing in the Name '' did not receive heavy airplay in the United States due to the explicit lyrics. The song received substantial airplay in Europe and drove the band 's popularity outside its home country. After signing with Epic Records, the band released their self - titled debut album in November 12, 1992. It reached triple platinum status, driven by heavy radio play of `` Killing in the Name ''. The album also included the singles `` Freedom '' and `` Take the Power Back ''. Controversies The song earned its notoriety in the United Kingdom on February 21, 1993, when BBC Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes accidentally played the full uncensored version of the song on his Top 40 Countdown, leading to 138 complaints. Brookes was recording an advertisement for next week 's Top 40 Countdown while the song played. This moment of infamy has since been consistently referenced by numerous British rock media. The song drew controversy again in Britain in November 2008, when it was played over the speakers in an Asda supermarket in Preston, Lancashire, prompting numerous complaints from customers. In 2012 Tom Morello criticized the UK Independence Party ( UKIP ) for using the song `` Killing in the Name '' ; Morello stated : `` Hey UKIP and Nigel Farage : Stop using ' KILLING IN THE NAME ' for your racist / rightwing rallies. We are against everything you stand for. STOP. IT. '' 2009 UK Christmas number one campaign In early December 2009, English DJ Jon Morter and his wife Tracy launched a group on the social networking site Facebook encouraging people to buy the song in the week before Christmas to prevent the winner of the X Factor television show from achieving the Christmas number one slot in the United Kingdom for the fifth year running. On December 15, the BBC reported the group had more than 750,000 members. As the X Factor song was donating some of the profits to charity the Rage against X Factor campaign encouraged supporters also to give to charity. Alongside the group, a Justgiving page was created to raise money for homeless charity Shelter which, as of 20 December, was reported to have raised over £ 70,000 ( approximately $110,000 ). After the creator of The X Factor, Simon Cowell, publicly denounced the campaign as `` stupid '' and `` cynical, '' the group gained more attention and was mentioned on various UK news channels, radio stations and websites. Rage Against the Machine added their support to the campaign. Guitarist Tom Morello said that achieving the Christmas number one would be `` a wonderful dose of anarchy '' and that he planned to donate the unexpected windfall to charity. Dave Grohl, Muse, Them Crooked Vultures, Liam Howlett and The Prodigy were among many musicians and celebrities supporting the campaign. The campaign received support from Paul McCartney, who had appeared on the X Factor with the finalists, and X Factor contestants John & Edward also added their support. Critics noted that both The X Factor and Rage Against the Machine are signed to labels that are part of Sony BMG ; Morello dismissed conspiracy claims as ridiculous. Kasabian 's Tom Meighan and Sergio Pizzorno expressed their happiness at the campaign 's success in an NME interview, where they also heavily criticised The X Factor. Rage Against the Machine attracted controversy when they performed an uncensored rendition of the song on BBC Radio 5Live in mid-December 2009, despite the hosts asking them to censor the expletive end. During the crescendo of their performance, frontman Zack De La Rocha started out only singing `` I wo n't do what you tell me, '' with a pause where he normally sings `` Fuck You '', but after a few lines, he screamed the lyrics, `` Fuck you, I wo n't do what you tell me '' repeatedly. Hosts Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty apologized afterward. On December 20, 2009, BBC Radio 1 revealed the song had successfully reached the number one spot, selling more than 500,000 copies and being the first exclusively download - only single to be Christmas number one in the process. The following week Joe McElderry 's cover of the song `` The Climb '' became the last British number one single of 2009. Killing In The Name dropped to number two, falling 38 places to number 40 the week after, and dropping out of the top 75 the following week, falling to number 100. The campaign to get the song to Christmas number one also spread to Ireland, where, like the UK, the Christmas number one had been dominated by X Factor finalists for the previous five years. The campaign was less successful in Ireland and McElderry beat Rage Against the Machine to Christmas number one, with Rage Against The Machine taking the number - two spot. On June 6, 2010, Rage Against The Machine performed at a free ' thank you ' gig for 40,000 fans in Finsbury Park. On stage Tracy and Jon Morter were handed a representative cheque in the amount of £ 162,713.03, representing the proceeds from donations to JustGiving and royalties from sales of the single. As a result of the campaign, the song is featured in the 2011 UK edition of the Guinness World Records under the category of ' Fastest - selling digital track ( UK ) ', after recording 502,672 downloads in its first week. `` Darkness of Greed '' and `` Clear the Lane '' were re-mastered versions of the respective demo tracks. Another version of `` Darkness of Greed '', titled merely `` Darkness '', was included on the 1994 soundtrack album for The Crow. The previously unreleased demo appeared on the XX 20th Anniversary Edition of their debut album, which was released on November 27, 2012. Music video The video, produced and directed by Peter Gideon, a guitar student of Tom Morello who had a video camera, was filmed during two shows in small Los Angeles venues, the Whisky a Go Go and the Club With No Name. Released in December 1992, the uncensored version of the video clip was shown on European MTV but was banned on American MTV because of the explicit lyrics. As a result, the video 's existence was in doubt until its release on the self - titled video. Artwork The cover of the CD - single is Malcolm Browne 's Pulitzer Prize - winning photograph of Thích Quảng Đức 's self - immolation in Saigon in 1963 in protest of the murder of Buddhists by the US - backed Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm 's regime. This photograph is also used as the cover of the eponymous Rage Against the Machine album. The cover of the Australian version of the CD - single has the words `` killing in the name '', in large, red block capitals, and a much smaller and tightly - cropped version of the photograph in the bottom right - hand corner. Accolades In July 2009, `` Killing in the Name '' was voted at number two in the Hottest 100 of all time countdown poll, conducted by Australian radio station, Triple J. More than half a million votes were cast in. The song was also voted at number 17 in the 1998 edition of Hottest 100 of All Time and was voted number 6 on the Hottest 100 list in 1993. In 2007, `` Killing in the Name '' earned a spot on Guitar World 's list of the `` 100 Greatest Guitar Solos '' at number 89. In 2002, Rolling Stone magazine listed `` Killing in the Name '' as the 24th in its 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time. In 2010, the New Statesman listed it as number 12 on their list of the `` Top 20 Political Songs '' as voted for by the Political Studies Association. In 2010, 2011 and 2012, The Rock radio station in New Zealand have held the Rock 1000 countdown which counts down the top 1000 rock songs of all time, as voted by the public ; in 2010 and 2011, the song was in the top five, while in 2012, the song featured at number seven. In 2011 and 2012, `` Killing in the Name '' was played uncensored, with a preceding message from the Prime minister, John Key, approving the playing of the uncensored version of the song due to the large number of complaints received by MediaWorks New Zealand regarding the 2010 countdown not giving any warning that the song was uncensored. In 2017, Killing In The Name made it to number 1 in the Rock 1500 and was presented by long serving broadcaster, Roger Farrelly. Live performances Rage Against the Machine burning the American flag onstage while playing `` Killing in the Name '' during Woodstock 1999. The song was performed as an extended instrumental at their first public performance at Cal State in the Quad, on October 23, 1991. Bassist Tim Commerford is known to chant the backing vocals of `` now you do what they told ya '' of the chorus during most live performances. Zack de la Rocha sometimes changes the lyrics in the second verse from `` Some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses '' to `` Some of those that burn crosses are the same that hold office '' when playing live. As part of supergroup Audioslave, guitarist Tom Morello incorporated instrumentals from Rage Against the Machine and cover versions of Killing in the Name into their performances. Rage Against the Machine performed the song live in 1999 at the Woodstock ' 99 festival, burning the American flag during the song. In this performance, de la Rocha changed the lyrics to `` Some of those that work forces are the same that burn churches ''. Track listing No. Title Length 1. `` Killing in the Name '' 5 : 13 2. `` Darkness of Greed '' 3 : 40 3. `` Clear the Lane '' 3 : 47 Total length : 13 : 09 `` Darkness of Greed '' and `` Clear the Lane '' were re-mastered versions of the respective demo tracks. Another version of `` Darkness of Greed '', titled merely `` Darkness '', was included on the 1994 soundtrack album for The Crow. The previously unreleased demo appeared on the XX 20th Anniversary Edition of their debut album, which was released on November 27, 2012. Personnel Zack de la Rocha -- vocals, lyrics Tom Morello -- guitar Tim Commerford -- bass guitar, backing vocals Brad Wilk -- drums Charts Wikinews has related news : Rage Against The Machine top UK singles chart Weekly charts Chart Year Position UK Singles Chart 1993 25 ARIA Charts 1993 7 New Zealand Charts 1993 8 Dutch Singles Chart 1993 13 Irish Singles Chart 2009 Scotland Singles Chart 2009 UK Singles Chart 2009 European Hot 100 Singles 2009 Year - end charts Chart ( 1993 ) Position New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 32 Decade - end charts Chart ( 2000 -- 2009 ) Position UK Top 100 Songs of the Decade 36 All - time charts UK 's Official Top 100 Downloads Chart Position UK Download Chart ( All Time ) 79 Other appearances Lyrics from `` Killing in the Name '' appear throughout popular culture. During one of his last performances before he died, American comedian Bill Hicks ended a set by smashing his microphone against a stool while singing along to `` Killing in the Name '' playing over the loudspeakers. As part of the US War on Terror the song was used by military interrogators at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Music was played at painfully high volume levels for hours on end, as a form of psychological torture. `` The fact that music I helped create was used in crimes against humanity sickens me, '' noted Morello. In television In the Daria episode `` The Big House '', the opening guitar riffs from `` Killing in the Name '' can be heard in the background in the scene where Daria Morgendorffer is reading a book while her sister Quinn is pacing back and forth. The song featured in the British television series Skins. Metal music fan Rich Hardbeck tells ballerina Grace Blood to stick up for herself, he encourages her using the song as an example, and has her chant the chorus. The song also appeared in the South Park episode `` Guitar Queer - O ''. In video games `` Killing in the Name '' is featured on fictional alternative rock station Radio X in the video game Grand Theft Auto : San Andreas. A cover version of `` Killing in the Name '' is a playable song in the Guitar Hero II video game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360. The song reappears in Guitar Hero : Smash Hits, also for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 as well as the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3, where it is a master recording. The song 's lyrics are altered in both games to remove the expletives. The song is offered as downloadable content for the guitar games Rock Band 3, released in March 2012, and Rocksmith 2014, released in December 2014. Cover versions This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia 's quality standards. The specific problem is : versions may not meet WP : SONGCOVER. Please help improve this section if you can. ( July 2018 ) In July 2007, a remix of the song by SebastiAn ( miscredited as a Mr. Oizo remix ) was Zane Lowe 's `` Hottest Record in the World '' on his show on BBC Radio 1. In June 2007, funk band The Apples from Tel Aviv, Israel, released a cover on a 7 '' vinyl on Freestyle Records. On 22 August 2008, Scottish alt - rock band Biffy Clyro performed a re-worked acoustic cover version of `` Killing in the Name '' on Jo Whiley 's show at The Reading Festival on BBC Radio 1. The band agreed that, for this live broadcast, they would not use expletives and sung just the melody in place of `` Fuck you '' in the song. The crowd were bound by no such agreement and began an impromptu mass sing along with `` Fuck you '' in place, audible by the recording equipment. As this broadcast was going out live at lunchtime, Jo Whiley was required to apologize on air after the performance. French band La Maison Tellier released a country - folk version of `` Killing in the Name '' in their first album ( 2006 ). In 2008 Icelandic electronica group FM Belfast released a single called `` Lotus '', a minimal electro cover version of `` Killing in the Name ''. Slovak DJ and producer L - Plus released a drum and bass remix of `` Killing in the Name '' in 2008. Australian rock group FourPlay String Quartet recorded a version of the song for their 2009 album Fourthcoming. On July 4, 2010, American jam band Phish covered the song after introducing Rage Against the Machine as `` one of the only other bands, other than Phish, that wo n't bullshit you. '' New York - based band Emmure covered the song at the Hoodwink Festival along with `` Bulls on Parade ''. Zac Brown Band has covered the song on several occasions during their live performances. Richard Cheese recorded a version the song in the style of lounge music for his 2011 album A Lounge Supreme. Lauren Mayberry recorded a cover version of the song along with her band, Blue Sky Archives. Limp Bizkit covered the song live at Download Festival 2013 and Reading and Leeds Festival 2015. Prophets of Rage, an American rap rock supergroup, formed in 2016 and including several former members of RATM, recorded a live cover of `` Killing in the Name '' in 2016. References Jump up ^ Ramirez, AJ ( August 3, 2011 ). `` The 10 Best Alternative Metal Singles of the 1990s ''. PopMatters. Retrieved 21 June 2015. Jump up ^ `` 26 Nu Metal Workout Songs ''. BodyBuilding. May 27, 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2018. Jump up ^ Buckley, Peter ( 2003 ). The rough guide to rock. Rough Guides. p. 844. ISBN 978 - 1 - 84353 - 105 - 0. ^ Jump up to : `` The History Of : Rage Against The Machine ''. Ultimate Guitar. 2007 - 07 - 27. Archived from the original on 2008 - 01 - 18. Retrieved 2010 - 01 - 15. Jump up ^ Laura L. 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Musician 's Friend. Retrieved 25 February 2013. That 's the `` Killing in the Name '' guitar, the `` Freedom '' guitar, `` Testify ''... all those jams are written on that cheap Telecaster. ^ Jump up to : Sonya Shelton ( 2009 - 11 - 16 ). `` Rage Against the Machine Biography : Contemporary Musicians ''. eNotes. Archived from the original on 2007 - 09 - 09. Retrieved 2010 - 05 - 25. Rage Against the Machine 's first video for `` Killing in the Name '' did not receive any airplay in the U.S. because of the language in the song 's refrain. ( PDF ) Jump up ^ John Robinson ( 2000 - 01 - 29 ). `` The revolution will not be trivialised ''. New Musical Express. Time Inc. Archived from the original on 2000 - 09 - 15. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. Bruno played the wrong version while doing the Top 40 rundown. There were 138 phone calls of complaint to the BBC. Jump up ^ Robin Murray ( 2008 - 11 - 19 ). `` Rage Against the Machine row ''. clashmusic.com. Idiomag.com. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. 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Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics and comedians Stephen Fry, Ross Noble and Bill Bailey are amongst the other celebrity supporters of the Tracy and Jon Morter 's campaign. ^ Jump up to : `` Rage Against the Machine beat X Factor winner in charts ''. BBC. 2009 - 12 - 20. Archived from the original on 2009 - 12 - 20. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 20. The Los Angeles rock band 's hit also set two records : it is the first single to reach the top of the Christmas charts on download sales alone and has achieved the biggest download sales total in a first week ever in the UK charts. Jump up ^ Liz Thomas ( 2009 - 12 - 11 ). `` Future of X Factor in chaos as Simon Cowell demands more money to return show to ITV ''. London : The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. ( Simon Cowell ) The X Factor creator and judge said the Facebook campaign, which he saw as a personal vendetta against him, was `` cynical '' and `` dismissive '' of the show 's viewers. ^ Jump up to : `` Rage Against The Machine swear on 5 live ''. BBC News. BBC Corp. 2009 - 12 - 17. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. Well, we were expecting it and asked them not to do it and they did it anyway -- so buy Joe 's record. Jump up ^ `` Rage Against The Machine 's Morello praises chart race ''. BBC News. BBC Corp. 2009 - 12 - 16. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. Rage Against The Machine 's Tom Morello has said that beating the X Factor single to Christmas number one will be a `` wonderful dose of anarchy ''. Jump up ^ Scott Colothan ( 2009 - 12 - 17 ). `` Dave Grohl : ' I 'm Buying Rage Against The Machine ' ''. Gigwise.com. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. Grohl joins The Prodigy, Hadouken !, Enter Shikari and the Stereophonics in endorsing the Facebook campaign. Jump up ^ `` Liam Howlett : ' Rage Against The Machine ' ''. TheProdigy.com. 2009 - 12 - 16. Archived from the original on 2009 - 12 - 19. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 16. this is the biggest rise up against the ' industry manufactured shite ' in years and thats why its important -- - and fukin funny at the same time act now. Jump up ^ Steve Hargrave ( 2009 - 12 - 18 ). `` Macca Backs Rage Against X Factor No 1 ''. Sky News. British Sky Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2009 - 12 - 21. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 18. He 's just some kid with a career ahead. I 've got nothing against that, but it would be kind of funny if Rage Against The Machine got it because it would prove a point. Jump up ^ Swash, Rosie ( 2009 - 12 - 18 ). `` Rage Against the Machine for Christmas No 1 : The celebrities wade in ''. London : The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2010 - 01 - 15. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 18. Paul McCartney, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell get dragged into the most heated race for Christmas No 1 in years Jump up ^ Jonny Greatrex ( 2009 - 12 - 19 ). `` X Factor 's Jedward support Rage Against The Machine in battle with Joe McElderry to Christmas Number One ''. The Sunday Mercury online. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 21. Jump up ^ Brian Boyd ( 2009 - 12 - 18 ). `` Sony the ultimate winner in rage against the X Factor machine on music ''. The Irish Times. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 21. The great irony (... ) is that both the gormless Joe McElderry and everyone 's favourite alt. metal anarcho - rockers are signed to the same label Jump up ^ Sam Jones ( 2009 - 12 - 15 ). `` Rage against Cowell fuels battle for Christmas No 1 ''. London : The Guardian. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 16. Whoever wins, though, the bosses of Sony Music will doubtless be full of festive cheer as both McElderry and Rage Against the Machine are signed to labels owned by the recording behemoth. 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Jump up ^ Chris Roper ( 2006 - 10 - 09 ). `` Guitar Hero II Final Tracklist Revealed. It 's official : From Aerosmith to the Rolling Stones to RATM, all 40 licensed tracks unveiled ''. Game Spot. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. Jump up ^ Zane Lowe ( 2007 - 07 - 19 ). `` BBC -- Radio 1 -- Zane Lowe -- Tracklisting ''. BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 17. Jump up ^ The Apples -- Killing ( 7 ``, Single, Promo ) at Discogs. Jump up ^ `` The Apples -- Killing ''. 2007 - 11 - 21. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 21. Jump up ^ `` The Apples -- WOMAD Festival ''. 2009. Archived from the original on 2013 - 04 - 16. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 21. Jump up ^ Paul Lester ( 2007 - 11 - 14 ). `` New band of the day. No 226 : The Apples ''. The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 21. Jump up ^ `` Biffy Clyro perform a cover of RATM 's Killing In The Name Of at Reading 2008 ''. 2006 - 09 - 15. Retrieved 2010 - 01 - 07. Scottish rockers surprise the audience at Reading 's Introducing stage with an impromptu set, including a Rage Against The Machine cover. Includes BBC iPlayer video ( UK only ). Jump up ^ Darcy, Benoit ( 2008 - 05 - 15 ). `` La reprise du jeudi : Killing in the Name ''. Musicspot. Retrieved 9 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Fm Belfast - Killing In The Name Of ( Lotus ) ''. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ `` L Plus vs. Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of ''. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Adam D Mills. `` FourPlay String Quartet -- Fourthcoming in Releases : ''. Mess + Noise. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 30. Jump up ^ `` Cover Wars Revisited : Killing In The Name - Glide Magazine ''. 7 July 2010. Retrieved July 27, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Phish Celebrates Independence Day with `` Harpua '' ``. Jambands. Jump up ^ `` Emmure Perform Live Set Of Rage Against The Machine Covers, Footage Available ''. PRP. Wookubu. Retrieved 4 May 2011. Jump up ^ Joanna Prisco ( July 19, 2010 ). `` My Backstage Arepa with Zac Brown ''. Jump up ^ Coplan, Chris ( 23 May 2013 ). `` Listen to Chvrches ' Lauren Mayberry cover Rage Against the Machine 's `` Killing in the Name '' ``. Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 23 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` Kerrang ! Limp Bizkit cover Rage Against The Machine 's Killing In The Name Of during Download 2nd headline set ''. Kerrang !. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2013. Jump up ^ Killing In The Name - Live, 2016 - 08 - 19, retrieved 2017 - 09 - 12 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rage Against the Machine. `` Killing In The Name '' Official music video on YouTube Killing in the Name at AllMusic Rage Against the Machine for Christmas No. 1 ( UK ) group on Facebook Tracy Morter, instigator of the campaign on Facebook Rage Against the Machine Zack de la Rocha Tom Morello Tim Commerford Brad Wilk Studio albums Rage Against the Machine Evil Empire The Battle of Los Angeles Renegades Live albums Live & Rare Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium Demo albums Rage Against the Machine Video albums Rage Against the Machine The Battle of Mexico City Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium Live at Finsbury Park Singles `` Killing in the Name '' `` Bullet in the Head '' `` Bombtrack '' `` Freedom '' `` Year of tha Boomerang '' `` Bulls on Parade '' `` People of the Sun '' `` Down Rodeo '' `` Vietnow '' `` The Ghost of Tom Joad '' `` No Shelter '' `` Guerrilla Radio '' `` Sleep Now in the Fire '' `` Testify '' `` Calm Like a Bomb '' `` Renegades of Funk '' `` How I Could Just Kill a Man '' Other songs `` I 'm Housin '' `` Kick Out the Jams '' `` Know Your Enemy '' `` Maggie 's Farm '' `` Microphone Fiend '' `` Street Fighting Man '' `` Tire Me '' `` Wake Up '' Concert tours Rage Against the Machine Tour 1994 -- 1995 Tour Evil Empire Tour The Battle of Los Angeles Tour Reunion Tour Related articles Discography Songs Political views and activism Audioslave Prophets of Rage Inside Out Lock Up One Day as a Lion Street Sweeper Social Club The Nightwatchman WAKRAT UK Christmas number - one singles in the 2000s `` Can We Fix It ? '' ( Bob the Builder, 2000 ) `` Somethin ' Stupid '' ( Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman, 2001 ) `` Sound of the Underground '' ( Girls Aloud, 2002 ) `` Mad World '' ( Michael Andrews & Gary Jules, 2003 ) `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' ( Band Aid 20, 2004 ) `` That 's My Goal '' ( Shayne Ward, 2005 ) `` A Moment Like This '' ( Leona Lewis, 2006 ) `` When You Believe '' ( Leon Jackson, 2007 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( Alexandra Burke, 2008 ) `` Killing in the Name '' ( Rage Against the Machine, 2009 ) Complete list 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s UK Christmas number - one single downloads in the 2000s `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' ( Band Aid 20, 2004 ) `` JCB '' ( Nizlopi, 2005 ) `` Patience '' ( Take That, 2006 ) `` All I Want for Christmas Is You '' ( Mariah Carey, 2007 ) `` Hallelujah '' ( Alexandra Burke, 2008 ) `` Killing in the Name '' ( Rage Against the Machine, 2009 ) 2000s 2010s Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Killing_in_the_Name&oldid=863994465 '' Categories : Christmas number - one singles in the United Kingdom Christmas number - one single downloads in the United Kingdom Rage Against the Machine songs 1992 singles 1993 singles 1992 songs Songs about police officers Criticism of police brutality Debut singles Epic Records singles Protest songs Songs against racism and xenophobia UK Singles Chart number - one singles Song recordings produced by Garth Richardson Songs written by Tom Morello Songs written by Brad Wilk Songs written by Tim Commerford Songs written by Zack de la Rocha Obscenity controversies in music Hidden categories : CS1 errors : external links All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from December 2017 Articles with permanently dead external links Articles with hAudio microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2016 All accuracy disputes Articles with disputed statements from October 2016 Track listings with input errors Articles with unsourced statements from October 2010 Articles needing cleanup from July 2018 All pages needing cleanup Cleanup tagged articles with a reason field from July 2018 Wikipedia pages needing cleanup from July 2018 Articles with unsourced statements from December 2009 Pages using extra track listing with no tracks Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Deutsch Ελληνικά Español Euskara فارسی Français Galego Italiano Nederlands Norsk Polski Português Русский Slovenčina Suomi Svenska Türkçe Tiếng Việt 10 more Edit links This page was last edited on 14 October 2018, at 12 : 01 ( UTC ). 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Question: when was killing in the name of released
Answer: November 2, 1992