Overkill

Motörhead

About Overkill

"Overkill" is a song by the British hard rock band Motörhead. It was released in 7" and 12" vinyl pressings in 1979. It is backed with B-side "Too Late Too Late" which appears on the CD re-issues of the Overkill album. Early copies came with a free "Overkill" badge. The single reached number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. On 9 March 1979 the band played this song on the BBC TV show Top of the Pops to support the release of the single. The song was a live favourite and was frequently featured at Motörhead concerts, often in an extended version. The artwork on the sleeve was created by Joe Petagno, based on his design for the album's cover. The song is featured as a track in the video game SSX on Tour, and was re-recorded by Motörhead to be a playable track in the rhythm game Guitar Hero World Tour. The track is notable for Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor's use of two bass drums. "Overkill" was used as the closing song for Motörhead's final tour, making it the last song the band ever played live. 


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Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud,
So good you can't believe it's screaming with the crowd,
Don't sweat it, get it back to you,
Overkill, Overkill

On your feet you feel the beat, it goes straight to your spine,
Shake your head you must be dead if it don't make you fly,
Don't sweat it, get it back to you,
Overkill, Overkill

Know your body's made to move, feel it in your guts
Rock 'n' roll ain't worth the name if it don't make you strut,
Don't sweat it, get it back to you,
Overkill, Overkill

 Struggling with Overkill? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!


Motörhead

Motörhead ( /ˈmoʊtərhɛd/) are an English heavy metal band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Ian Fraser Kilmister, professionally known by his stage name Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member. The band are often considered a precursor to or one of the earliest members of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, which re-energised heavy metal in the late 1970s and early 1980s. To date, Motörhead have released twenty studio albums, seven live recordings, five compilation albums and five EPs. Usually a power trio, they had particular success in the early 1980s with several successful singles in the UK Top 40 chart. The albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, and particularly No Sleep 'til Hammersmith, cemented Motörhead's reputation as one o… more »

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Written by: Edward Alan Clarke, Ian Kilmister, Philip John Taylor

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Details
Released in March 1979, "Overkill" is a signature song by the British rock band, Motörhead.
Album Success
The song is from the album of the same name, which was Motörhead's first to chart, peaking at #24 on the UK Albums Chart.
Song's Influence
"Overkill" is renown for its influence in the heavy metal genre, more specifically the speed and thrash metal sub-genres.
Iconic Drum Intros
The song features one of the most recognized drum intros in rock music history, executed by drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.
Musical Structure
Notable for its use of double bass drumming, it was one of the earliest examples in rock music.
Legacy
It was ranked number 397 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
Re-releases
The song was re-released in 7" and 12" formats in 1980 and 1984, and it has been part of several compilation albums.
Live Performances
"Overkill" was a staple in Motörhead's live set until the band disbanded in 2015.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists and bands over the years, including Metallica and Overkill, the latter of which took their name from the song.
Featured in Media
"Overkill" has been used in various media, including the video games "Brutal Legend" and "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3".
Lemmy's View
Lead singer Lemmy Kilmister cited "Overkill" as his favourite Motörhead song in his autobiography, "White Line Fever".
Chart Performance
Upon its re-release in 1980, "Overkill" charted at number #39 on the UK Singles Chart.

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