Be aggressive by Faith No More.
I have chosen Be aggressive from Angel dust released in 1992 to talk about as I find it a very interesting song from that era.
I was massively into Faith No More in 1992 and I loved this album and then when I found out what the lyrics were about in this song I was shocked.
Check them out:
“I started this
It’s all for me
What’s yours is mine and mine is mine
That’s plain to see
So give it up
I’ve got to have
I swallow, I swallow
I swallow, I swallow
Be aggressive
B-e aggresive
B-e-a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e
What someone else
Would leave behind
And spit it out, let’s go to waste
I claim as mine
You’re my flavour of the week
I swallow, I swallow
I swallow, I swallow
Tall and reckless
Ugly seed
Reach down my throat
You filthy bird
That’s all I need
This empty pit
I’ve got to feed
To prove I’m fit
A healthy man
I’ve got to be
Malnutrition, my submission
You’re the master
And I take it on my knees
Ejaculation
Tribulation
I swallow, I swallow
I swallow, I swallow
Be aggressive
B-e aggresive
B-e-a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e
Go, fight, go, fight, go, fight, go, fight
Win.”
The song was written by Roddy Bottum who is the keyboardist of the band and is also a gay man which is probably evident from the nature of the lyrics which is about fellating a man.
Back in 1992 when music was still macho and male led even though Grunge had landed it was still brave I think for a band to mess around with imagery such as this.
It’s one of the reasons I love this band with their contrary nature and their ability to rise above genre and subvert stereotypes of what a rock band can be.
Rusty'sArtWerk 