Be Aggressive

Faith No More's song 'Be Aggressive' is a provocative and intense exploration of ambition, power dynamics, and submission. The lyrics are filled with aggressive and sometimes unsettling imagery, reflecting a relentless drive to dominate and consume. The repeated phrase 'I swallow' can be interpreted as a metaphor for taking in everything, whether it's opportunities, challenges, or even the negative aspects of life, in order to achieve one's goals. This act of swallowing symbolizes a form of submission, yet it also represents a voracious appetite for success and control.

The chorus, with its cheerleader-like chant 'Be aggressive, B-e aggressive,' adds a layer of irony and dark humor to the song. It mimics the motivational chants often heard in sports or competitive environments, but in the context of the song, it takes on a more sinister tone. The lyrics suggest that in the pursuit of success, one must be ruthless and unyielding, willing to claim what others discard and turn it into personal gain. This idea is further emphasized in lines like 'What someone else would leave behind and spit it out, let go to waste, I claim is mine.'

The song also delves into themes of malnutrition and submission, using visceral and graphic language to describe the lengths one might go to prove their worth and fit into societal expectations. The line 'Malnutrition, my submission, you're the master, and I take it on my knees' highlights the power imbalance and the sacrifices made in the quest for validation and success. The closing chant 'Go, fight, go, fight, go, fight, win' reinforces the relentless and combative nature of this pursuit, leaving the listener with a sense of the high stakes and intense pressure involved in striving to be the best.