Know Your Enemy

Green Day

About Know Your Enemy

"Know Your Enemy" is a song by the American rock band Green Day. It is the third track on their eighth album 21st Century Breakdown, was released as the lead single through Reprise Records on April 16, 2009, and the group's first single since Jesus of Suburbia, released 4 years earlier. Billboard described the song as being lyrically "just as politically charged as last time (on American Idiot)", having a "Modern Rock radio-ready chorus", whilst the song's producer Butch Vig "brings enough punk sheen for mass appeal. " It was the first, and one of only three songs, to top the Rock Songs, Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock Tracks Billboard charts at the same time. Know Your Enemy has been certified Gold by the RIAA and has sold 798,000 copies as of August 2010. 


Year:
2009
3:57
44 
#3

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Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

Violence is an energy
Against the enemy
Violence is an energy

Bringing on the fury
The choir infantry
Revolt against the honor to obey

Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
While burning down the foreman of control

Silence is an enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul

Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

The insurgency will rise
When the blood's been sacrificed
Don't be blinded by the lies
In your eyes

Violence is an energy
From here to eternity
Violence is an energy
Silence is an enemy
So gimme gimme revolution

Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy

Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
We're burning down the foreman of control

Silence is an enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul

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Green Day

Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, drummer Tré Cool and guitarist and backing vocalist Jason White, who became a full member after playing in the band as a session and touring guitarist for 13 years. Cool replaced former drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990, prior to the recording of the band's second studio album, Kerplunk (1992). more »

20 fans

Written by: BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG, FRANK E., III WRIGHT, FRANK EDWIN WRIGHT III, MICHAEL PRITCHARD, MIKE DIRNT, MIKE RYAN PRITCHARD, TRE COOL

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Composition
"Know Your Enemy" is an uptempo rock song by the American punk rock band Green Day.
Release Details
It was released as the first single from their eighth album, "21st Century Breakdown," on April 16, 2009.
Lyrics and Meaning
The song's lyrics carry a strong political message, with the central theme being awareness and vigilance against oppressive forces in society.
Live Debuts
Green Day first performed "Know Your Enemy" live on April 24th, 2009, on the television show "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."
Chart Performance
It became Green Day's third number one hit single in the United States.
MTV Awards
In 2009, "Know Your Enemy" won the MTV Video Music Award for "Best Rock Video."
Music Video
The music video for "Know Your Enemy" was directed by Matthew Cullen, who also directed the video for "21 Guns," another single from "21st Century Breakdown."
Song Structure
The song follows the classic verse-chorus structure and is noted for its simplicity, both musically and lyrically.
Sound
"Know Your Enemy" showcases Green Day's signature sound, combining punk rock with pop elements.
Album Contribution
The song helped "21st Century Breakdown" earn a Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2010.

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    Know Your Enemy

    24.7M
    190.1K     2,934

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2009

    Billboard #28


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