Lyrics
They're rioting in my front yard
Protesters are causing a disturbance in the speaker's front yard.
They're sending in the national guard
The situation has escalated to the point where the national guard is being deployed.
People lootin', people shootin', baby I ain't just tootin' my horn
Describes chaos with looting and shooting, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
They're rioting in my front yard
Reiterates the presence of rioting in the speaker's front yard.
They're grabbing all the beer and diapers
Specifies items being stolen during the riot: beer, diapers, and windshield wipers.
And don't forget the windshield wipers
Emphasizes the randomness of stolen items, including a humorous exaggeration of quantity.
Fifty pairs, who cares? man we'll sell' em at the fair
Expresses a nonchalant attitude toward the stolen goods and plans to sell them at a fair.
And yeah they're rioting in my front yard
Confirms ongoing rioting in the speaker's front yard.
They're burning Manny, Moe, and Jack
Names businesses (Manny, Moe, and Jack) being targeted and damaged in the riot.
The pep boys got a broken back
Describes physical harm to the Pep Boys, further illustrating the chaos.
They're stealin' clothes and breaking toes
Mentions theft of clothes and violence, highlighting the lawlessness of the situation.
Hey, did you see that broken nose?
Draws attention to a specific injury (broken nose) witnessed during the riot.
And man, they're rioting in my front yard
Reiterates the presence of rioting in the speaker's front yard.
The news you can't miss, no
Comments on the media coverage of the riots, suggesting it's sensationalized ("looks like a hit show").
It looks like a hit show
Reflects on the airborne coverage of the events, possibly by news helicopters.
The choppers are taking to the air
Describes the physical destruction of walls during the riots.
The walls are coming down
Highlights the severity of the situation with the town burning.
And yeah they're burning up this town
Confirms the ongoing destruction of the town.
At least the ratings will be up this year (burn baby, burn)
Speculates that the high ratings resulting from the riots might be the only positive outcome ("burn baby, burn").
Now Rodney king may not have been a saint
References Rodney King, acknowledging his imperfections but condemning the brutality he faced.
But what they did to him could make you faint
Expresses the shocking nature of the treatment Rodney King received.
We hear the whip, we hear the crack, and just because his skin was black
Highlights racial injustice by referencing the sound of a whip and the color of King's skin.
Now they're rioting in my front yard
Connects Rodney King's experience to the ongoing riot in the speaker's front yard.
Now a man ain't got a reason to smile
Addresses the injustice of receiving a beating without a fair trial.
If he gets a beating without a trial
Questions how anyone could be content if subjected to violence without due process.
Hey wouldn't you be pissed they said gorillas in the mist
Refers to the derogatory term "gorillas in the mist" used to stereotype African Americans.
And now they're rioting in my front yard
Connects the injustice mentioned to the ongoing riot in the speaker's front yard.
Half these people haven't got a clue
Claims that many rioters lack a proper understanding of the issues, focusing on looting instead.
They're stealing clothes and saying, Rodney who?
Highlights the disconnect by portraying some rioters as unaware of Rodney King's situation.
They've got it all wrong, it seems we'll never get along
Expresses frustration at the general misunderstanding and lack of unity.
And now they're rioting in my front yard
Reiterates the ongoing rioting in the speaker's front yard.
Well man, they're rioting in my front yard
Confirms the persistent rioting in the speaker's front yard.
Oh yeah, they're rioting in my front yard
Repeats the acknowledgment of rioting in the speaker's front yard.
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