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| "Vietnow" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byRage Against the Machine | ||||
| from the albumEvil Empire | ||||
| Released | October 1997 | |||
| Genre | Rap metal | |||
| Length | 4:39 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Zack de la Rocha Tom Morello Tim Commerford Brad Wilk | |||
| Producer(s) | Brendan O'Brien | |||
| Rage Against the Machine singles chronology | ||||
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"Vietnow" is a song by Americanrock bandRage Against the Machine and the final single from their albumEvil Empire. Officially it is only the third single from the album, as "Down Rodeo" was a promo release only.
The cover photograph of an elderly lady seen from the back, carrying aboombox radio and walking down a mountain was taken by the Mexican photographerGraciela Iturbide in theSonoran Desert in 1979. The original photograph is called "Mujer Ángel" and has also appeared in the black-and-white photography book,Canto a la Realidad: Fotografia Latinoamericana, 1860-1993 as compiled byErika Billeter.
The song's lyrics concern right-wingAM radio shows, hosted by people such asRush Limbaugh,Oliver North andMichael Reagan.[citation needed] The verse riffs bear a resemblance to "The Wanton Song" byLed Zeppelin, whomTom Morello has cited as a major influence.
The lyrics "is all the world jails and churches" are perhaps influenced by the works of American novelistJames Baldwin. Baldwin's 1953 novelGo Tell It on the Mountain includes the character Roy Grimes arguing with his mother and commenting, "You think that's all that's in the world is jails and churches?" At least one of James Baldwin's books is contained onRage Against the Machine'sEvil Empire liner notes.[1]
The line "Comin down like bats from Stacey Koon" is a reference to Sgt.Stacey Koon, one of the fourLAPD policemen videotaped beating black motoristRodney King in 1991. He and Laurence Powell were the only two convicted of the four.
The lyrics "Undressed and blessed by the lord, the same devil that ran aroundManagua with a sword" are a reference to theCIA's involvement in sendingCONTRAS intoNicaragua to shut down theSandinista movement.
The song made its live debut during the 1996Big Day Out festival in Australia.
The song was covered by the hardcore punk bandStray from the Path in 2012.
