Boldness, Openmindedness, Authenticity: Faith No More according to producer Matt Wallace

“Faith No More is one of the only bands who will boldly go wherever anyone in the group wants to go. If one guy says I want to go this direction, they’ll go, and and even to the point where they might look like total assholes. They will do which I’ve always admired about this band because, even that song ‘Be aggressive’, which is basically about homosexual oral sex, Roddy wrote the lyrics and Patton sang it… Any other metal band, the guy would be like ‘no, no, no, I’m not going to sing about sucking dick or whatever. I can’t do it because it’s against my masculinity, against who I am as a person’. And Patton was always willing to put on whatever costume or whatever persona to do, because it was interesting to him” (Matt Wallace)

“Be Aggressive” is a standout track from Faith No More’s 1992 album Angel Dust. Written by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, who is openly gay, the song openly reference themes of domination, submission, and homosexual oral sex. . This was a personal and daring expression, as Bottum was one of the few openly gay musicians in rock at the time. The song features bold, campy lyrics and cheerleader chant-style chorus, set against the band’s signature blend of hard rock, funk, and experimental elements.

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 aggressive B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e Be aggressive B-e aggressive B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e

What someone else Would leave behind And spit it out, let go to waste I claim as mine You’re my flavor of the week

I swallow, I swallow I swallow, I swallow

Be aggressive B-e aggressive B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e Be aggressive B-e aggressive B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e

I swallow I swallow

Aggressive (aggressive, aggressive) Aggressive (aggressive, aggressive)

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’ll take it on my knees Ejaculation Tribulation

I swallow, I swallow I swallow, I swallow

Be aggressive B-e aggressive B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e (I’ve got to be agressive) Be aggressive B-e aggressive (don’t get near me) B-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e

Go, fight, go, fight, go, fight, go, fight, win!