Rage Against the Machine: Settle for Nothing Meaning
No tags, suggest one.

Settle for Nothing Lyrics
Hatred passed on, passed on and passed on
A world of violent rage
But it's one that I can recognise
Having never seen the colour of my father's eyes
Yes, I dwell in hell, but it's a hell that I...
-
1TOP RATED
#1 top rated interpretation:The song is about social outcasts, gangs and gang culture.
It seems fairly obvious to me as I am from Los Angeles and the lyrics kinda speak for themselves.
Many people grow up in poverty stricken 'hoods of LA which face police brutality, intimidation and very little in the way of govenment support. Its also worth noting that many of these deprived areas can see the Hollywood sign from their neighbourhoods - almost taunting them. In this case a 'jail cell' may seem like freedom to these people.
Its commonplace for males to grow up without a father, or sometimes any male presence in their lives.
'...I tried to grip my family, but I slipped...
I got a nine a sign a set, and now I got a name...'
Simply put, these people are caught between a broken family with very little or no security, or a gang of men who watch each others backs. The 'nine' refers to a 9mm handgun - a 'set' is another word for a gang and the 'sign' is usually a hand signal representing the first letter of their gang/set.
'...read my writing on the wall'
Most probably associated with gang graffiti and 'tags' which further represent the gangs. This graffiti is known to be used as a gang code where gangs make coded references to each other either to insult their rivals, or warn them.
You could also interprit this line as meaning murals painted on walls which are frequently used as forms of expression across Southern California, especially amoungst the mexican/latino community. Whilst many are spectacular to look at, they largely go unnoticed.
'caught between my culture, and the system...suicide/genocide..'
Law enforcement and government representatives commonly stereotype people on what they look like and where they come from, often labelling black and latino youths as trouble and menaces. A drive down Crenshaw Blvd will take you from the "happening" and glitzy West Hollywood area, to almost the heart of gangland LA. The stark contrast is proof of a economically deprived area neglected, and almost forgotton. Genocide. -
i think, this song is about a person who lives a lonelly and mediocry life but then he realiced that he has the enough time for change his life before he become in nothing
-
This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
More Rage Against the Machine song meanings ยป
Latest Articles
Trending:
Blog posts mentioning Rage Against the Machine
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Just Posted
Hayloft II | anonymous |
Pacify Her | anonymous |
Bigger Than The Whole Sky | anonymous |
Enter Sandman | anonymous |
Life is a Highway | anonymous |
Record Player | anonymous |
Dosed | anonymous |
Hurricane | anonymous |
Sister Golden Hair | anonymous |
Sheep | anonymous |
The Grand Tour | anonymous |
Far Away | anonymous |
Bloody Mary | anonymous |
Mud on the Tires | anonymous |
River | anonymous |
Weekly Most Popular
Latest Releases
King Snipe Gucci Mane |
Runs In The Water Royale Lynn |
Friends NIIVA |
Rush Ayra Starr |
Vibe TAEYANG |
Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 Bizarrap |
Walk Hulvey |
Ceilings Lizzy McAlpine |