Marilyn Manson, Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, Sun Kil Moon, and Prince are just a few musicians referencing the dangers and powers of guns. 

In the 2010s in particular, the gun control debate has been kicked up to the nth degree, particularly with the number of mass shootings.  Here are a couple of examples of gun control/violence referenced in popular music.

1. Marilyn Manson, “Killing Strangers”

Killing Strangers • Loma Vista • 2015

“And we got guns, we got guns / Motherf**kers better, better run.”  Those lyrics appear on the bridge of the vengeful, violent Marilyn Manson song, “Killing Strangers” (The Pale Emperor, 2015). When you think about it, there are few weapons more frightening than guns because of the understanding that in the wrong hands and the right aim, death is a strong possibility.  Manson isn’t making a statement about gun control necessarily, but “Killing Strangers” itself speaks to how heartless killers, particular spree killers/mass murderers tend to be.

2. Tech N9ne, “No Gun Control”

The Storm • Strange Music • 2016

“No Gun Control,” featuring Gary Clark Jr. and Krizz Kaliko, is among the crème de la crème of The Storm. Tech N9ne is full of fire, expressing something of a conflicting message with the hot-button issue of gun control.  In one sense, he’s pro second amendment – arguably vigilante – in respect to guns. Yet in another sense, evidenced by the Clark Jr. hook, he’s suggests gun violence is out of control. Speaking of the hook – glorious considering its distorted, gritty sound – Clark Jr. lends his virtuosic guitar skills.

3. Kendrick Lamar, “XXX.”

DAMN. • Interscope • 2017

Later, on “XXX.” From DAMN., Kendrick Lamar tackles the issue, signaled by the lyrics, “Alright, kids, we’re gonna talk about gun control.” Following the chorus by Bono (U2), Lamar dives into an assortment of American problems, particularly concerning the perception of black men.  “It’s nasty when you set us up / Then roll the dice, then bet us up / You overnight the big rifles, then tell Fox to be scared of us / Gang members or terrorists, et cetera, et cetera / America’s reflections of me, that’s what a mirror does.”

4. Sun Kil Moon, “I Love Portugal”

Common as Light and Love are Red Valleys of Red • Caldo Verde • 2017

Singer-songwriter Sun Kil Moon references gun control on “I Love Portugal,” a song from his 2017 album, Common as Light and Love are Red Valleys of Red. He sings:

“The USA can’t pull the guns from the trolls of the country I live in / Can’t get a grip on gun control / If we’re gonna live with a president who’s a huge f**king asshole / Then believe me, baby, I’m gonna buy me a home in Portugal.”

Essentially, Sun Kil Moon notes how big of a problem gun control is in the United States.  He laments the fact that nothing is occurring to fix it.

5. Prince, “Annie Christian”

Controversy • NPG •1981

The song “Annie Christian” is a perfect fit for Prince album, Controversy. Controversy features such controversial songs like “Sexuality” and “Jack U Off” (wonder what that’s about).   Perhaps the song’s main claim to fame is referencing Atlanta child murderer Wayne Williams (it appeared on an earlier playlist, Chilling Songs About Serial Killers, Take 5).   Still the second verse finds Annie Christian grow violent, signaling the discussion, if vaguely, about gun control.

“Annie Christian was a whore always looking for some fun / Being good was such a bore, so she bought a gun / She killed John Lennon, shot him down cold / She tried to kill Reagan, everybody say gun control / Gun control.”

Notably, “Annie Christian” is an example of an old-school song referencing gun control, long before mass murders and spree killings rose in prominence. Naturally, an assassination attempt against a president would certainly raise the issue to national prominence.  Amazingly, gun control is much worse in the 2010s, more than 30 years later.