Green Day - Know Your Enemy - Lyrics Meaning

Know Your Enemy is a song by Green Day that is promoting the awareness of your rights as a citizen. The lyrics are stressing to the listener that it is imperative to make sure that you understand what you are being told, and the reasons behind that. There is no acceptable reason to not ask questions to further your comprehension of why something is being done. Green Day is making it a point to bring to the listener's attention that giving in to unnecessary and irresponsible demands is a big mistake, and that being silent when you should speak out will hold you down.

This song is not relating this message to any one group in particular, but the lyrics are pressing the issue of being aware of your surroundings and not simply accepting what is going on if you disagree. If there is not anybody to speak their mind and everyone is being controlled by one person in dominance, there will be no room left over for growth. To grow as a population, it is necessary to raise questions and to ``revolt against the honor to obey''. Contemplating who your enemy is that tries to hold you back will allow you to stand up for yourself and your rights.

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