Rock N Roll Nigger
Encyclopedia
"Rock N Roll Nigger" is a rock song written by Patti Smith
and Lenny Kaye
, and released on the Patti Smith Group's 1978 album Easter. The song has since been covered by several artists, and was included on the soundtrack
of the 1994 film Natural Born Killers
.
lead singer Bono
references the song during an interlude in their performance of "Bullet the Blue Sky
" on the Elevation 2001: U2 Live from Boston DVD. Marilyn Manson
released a cover on the Smells Like Children
remix album. Manson cut out both the spoken word "Babelogue" track (which is often performed together with "Rock N Roll Nigger" as one work) and the poem which is interspersed in the song:
Punk bands Anti-Heros
, Birdland
and Toe to Toe
also covered the song.
that lists the top 500 songs between 1977 and 2006.
Patti Smith
Patricia Lee "Patti" Smith is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses....
and Lenny Kaye
Lenny Kaye
Lenny Kaye is an American guitarist, composer and writer who is best known as a member of the Patti Smith Group.- Early life :...
, and released on the Patti Smith Group's 1978 album Easter. The song has since been covered by several artists, and was included on the soundtrack
Natural Born Killers (soundtrack)
Natural Born Killers is the soundtrack to the film Natural Born Killers, produced by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Reznor reportedly produced the soundtrack using a portable Pro Tools in his hotel room while on tour...
of the 1994 film Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers
Natural Born Killers is a 1994 crime/black comedy film directed by Oliver Stone about two victims of traumatic childhoods who became lovers and psychopathic serial killers, and are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media...
.
Liner notes
The following is quoted from the album:- nigger no invented for color it was MADE FOR THE PLAGUE the word (art) must be
- redefined-all mutants and the new babes born sans eyebrow and tonsil-outside logic-beyond
- mathematics poli-tricks baptism and motion sickness-any man who extends beyond the classic
- for is a nigger-one sans fear and despair-one who rises like rimbaud beating hard gold
- rythumn outta soft solid shit-tongue light is coiling serpant is steaming spinal avec ray gun
- hissing scanning copper head w/ white enamel eye wet and shining crown reeling thru gleem
- vegetation ruby dressing of thy lips puckering whispering pressing high bruised thighs silk route
- mark prussian vibrating gushing milk pods of de/light translating new languages new and
- abused rock n roll and lashing from tongue of me nigger
- 20.10.74 r.e.f.m.
Covers
U2U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
lead singer Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
references the song during an interlude in their performance of "Bullet the Blue Sky
Bullet the Blue Sky
"Bullet the Blue Sky" is the fourth track from U2's 1987 album, The Joshua Tree. The song is one of the band's most overtly politically toned songs, with live performances often being heavily critical of political conflicts and violence....
" on the Elevation 2001: U2 Live from Boston DVD. Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
released a cover on the Smells Like Children
Smells Like Children
Smells Like Children is a EP by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released on October 24, 1995 in the US through Nothing and Interscope Records. It was produced by the band's frontman and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails...
remix album. Manson cut out both the spoken word "Babelogue" track (which is often performed together with "Rock N Roll Nigger" as one work) and the poem which is interspersed in the song:
- Those who have suffered
- understand suffering
- and thereby extend their hand
- The storm that brings harm
- also make fertile
- Blessed is the grass and herb
- and the tree of thorn and light
Punk bands Anti-Heros
Anti-Heros
Anti-Heros were an American Oi!/street punk band formed in 1984 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. They took a hiatus from 1989–1993, but continued to record and play concerts through the early 2000s. Anti-Heros are one of the first and most popular American Oi! bands. The original lineup...
, Birdland
Birdland
Birdland may refer to:In music:* Birdland , a club in New York City* Birdland, a jazz club in Vienna founded by Joe Zawinul* "Birdland" , an instrumental composed by Joe Zawinul, originally recorded by his band Weather Report...
and Toe to Toe
Toe To Toe
Toe to Toe are an Australian hardcore band from Sydney, New South Wales. The band was most prominent in the Australian hardcore scene during the 1990s, touring and recording less frequently by the 2000s...
also covered the song.
Reception
In 2008, the song was listed in The Pitchfork 500, a music guide published by Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
that lists the top 500 songs between 1977 and 2006.