Linkin Park: Wretches and Kings Meaning

Song Released: 2010

Wretches and Kings Lyrics

"At the time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious.
Makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part,
you can't even passively take part.
And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels,
upon the...

1. anonymous

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   Mar 7th 2011 !⃝

   Our government has created a class warfare situation here in the U.S. Lets face it, there are way more middle and lower class people than there are rich people. Wretches (poor) and Kings (the rich) are both being oppressed by a socialistec society that has been creeping in on us since the 1920's. Our government (the machine) has been growing fat of the backs of the people, ALL of it's people, not just the rich. The government has given life to the myth that it's the governments responsibility to "provide" for the people when that is NOT the case. But if you convince enough people and you find a big meanie to blame it on like the nameless rich person, well, you get a whole lot of people to believe in that myth. All the while the politicians are living in an elite world of money and power while the people squable amongst themselves. Our government divides us intentionally in order to serve itself.
   I think that the song is saying that it is time for the poor and the rich of our nation stand together and tell the people who are running this nation, that unless we, the people, are free...they will have nothing.
2. anonymous

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   Mar 6th 2011 !⃝

   First off. Amazing song. To better understand it, start with Mario Savio. He was a political activist and key member in the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. If you know about him, the Movement and what he was trying to accomplish with that speech, its pretty self explanatory. Hope this helps anyone out there trying to understand. Fun fact, lol, the opening line of the first and second verse ("to save face, how low can you go? And "so keep face, how slow can you go?) are references to Public Enemy's most famous songs, "Bring the Noise."
   
3. anonymous

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   Feb 27th 2011 !⃝

   Anyone ever wonder if its about God?..

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
4. Apollyon

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   Jan 25th 2011 !⃝

   Don't go killing them or anything of course, but let them know that what they're doing is wrong, and must change.
5. Apollyon

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   Jan 25th 2011 !⃝

   I truely believe in the message they are sending. We must stand and opress the opressors. We should not sit idle and be picked off like dogs in the eyes of society. "The Animals" must work together, and overcome the Wretches and Kings that have put themselves on top!
   
   We must show them just how feeble and pety they are, and prove to them that they are wrong.
6. anonymous

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   Jan 21st 2011 !⃝

   i think this song is reminds me the world when human being started inventing machines and which use to take the work people were in need of new jobs.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
7. anonymous

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   Dec 28th 2010 !⃝

   I think the song is not just about the monarchy but about capitalism. It is almost a call to arms to liberate themselves from the bourgeoise. The quote at the start just supports this. It was said by a prominent figure in the US student movement.
   Sorry guys, I think Linkin Park are more left wing than most are comfortable. Personally though, I love it!
8. anonymous

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   Dec 23rd 2010 !⃝

   I believe the wretches is us and the kings are our government.
9. mojolukasmojo

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   Dec 21st 2010 !⃝

   I think this song should not be taken literally. The lyrics are about fighting the power not in a literal way but to go out and protest the goverment if you find something unjust. A clear example would be to go out and protest the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.Linkin Park doesn't want you to stop using machines or to go kill your leaders but they want you to take notice of the issues in the world
10. anonymous

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    Dec 9th 2010 !⃝

    I actually think that this song is about how machines are taking over the lives of the people.
    And how "the animals" have to take control once again.
    
    However, the point with overthrowing the king makes more sense if one takes the title into consideration.
    
    Tricky one, I guess.

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