Bleed for Me

Dead Kennedys

About Bleed for Me

"Bleed for Me" (B-side "Life Sentence") was the sixth single by punk rock band Dead Kennedys. It was released in July 1982 on Alternative Tentacles. The music is cold and intimidating, and the lyrics describe kidnappings and torture carried out by a secret police (presumably the Central Intelligence Agency). There follows a bridge, then the music becomes light and almost cheerful as the lyrics describe US foreign policy as utilizing murderous dictatorships to secure economic concessions that favor American corporations. "Bleed for Me" also plays in the background of the Dead Kennedys' song "Kinky Sex (Makes the World Go 'Round)", in which an aide for the Reagan White House arranges World War III on the phone with Margaret Thatcher, who moans erotically at every new atrocity; this track may be a reference to the Thatchergate tape. The song was also performed for the film Urgh! A Music War, with a different bridge about Rosalynn Carter. During live performances with the Melvins in the 9/11-Afghanistan-Iraq War era, Jello substituted "Muslims" for "Russians" in the verse "So what's ten million dead, if it's keeping out the Russians?" 


Year:
1982
3:25
67 
#2

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You've been hanging 'round
With an enemy of the state
Come with me
To the building
That no-one stops to watch 

C'mon bleed
C'mon bleed
C'mon bleed
Bleed for me 

We'll strap you to a pipe
Electrodes on your balls
C'mon scream
C'mon writhe
Face down in a pool of piss 

C'mon bleed
C'mon bleed
C'mon bleed
Bleed for me 

In the name of world peace
In the name of world profits
America pumps up our secret police
America wants fuel
To get it, it needs puppets
So what's ten million dead if it's keeping out the Russians?

We're well-trained by the CIA with Yankee tax money in Ft. Bragg
The Peace Corps builds US labor camps when they think they're building schools, ha!

When cowboy Ronnie comes to town
Forks out his tongue at human rights
Sit down, enjoy our ethnic meal
Dine on some charbroiled nuns
Try a medal on
Smile at the mirror as the cameras click
And make big business happy

Anytime
Anywhere
Maybe you'll just disappear 

C'mon bleed
C'mon bleed
C'mon bleed
Bleed for me

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Dead Kennedys

Dead Kennedys are an American hardcore punk band formed in San Francisco, California in 1978. The band became part of the American hardcore punk movement of the early 1980s. They gained a large underground fanbase in the international punk rock community, and were one of the first American hardcore bands to make a significant impact in the United Kingdom. more »

1 fan

Written by: KLAUS FLOURIDE, JELLO BIAFRA, EAST BAY RAY, D. H. PELIGRO

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Bleed For Me" is a song by the American punk rock band Dead Kennedys. It was initially released as a single in 1982.
Album Information
The song was later included in the band’s compilation album, "Plastic Surgery Disasters", which was released later in the same year and has received mainly positive reviews.
Background Transformation
Prior to forming Dead Kennedys, lead vocalist Jello Biafra had never been in a band and was heavily influenced by the burgeoning punk music scene. "Bleed For Me" reflects his change from eager fan to political frontman.
Activism
Like many of their songs, "Bleed For Me" has an underlying message of activism. The band often uses their music as an instrument for promoting political and social justice.
Writing
It is one of the many songs that were penned by Biafra, who often addressed controversial issues in his lyrics. This song is often interpreted as a critique of the middle-class American military-industrial complex.
Genre
Defined by its intense speed, vicious guitar riffs, and scathing lyrics, "Bleed For Me" is one of the classic examples of the hardcore punk genre.
Music Video
An official music video for "Bleed For Me" was never produced. However, the song remains popular amongst fans and is frequently seen in live performances and covered by other punk bands.
Reception
Despite the song's provocative nature, it received frequent play on college radio stations and was instrumental in spreading the band's anti-mainstream messages.
Musicians
Apart from Biafra on vocals, the other musicians who played on "Bleed For Me" include East Bay Ray on guitar, Klaus Flouride on bass, and D.H. Peligro on drums.
Cover Version
Multiple bands have covered "Bleed For Me" in various live performances, keeping the song alive and relevant amongst newer punk rock communities.

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