"Kick Out the Jams" is a song by American rock band MC5, released as a single in March 1969 by Elektra Records. The album of the same name caused some controversy due to inflammatory liner notes by the band's manager, John Sinclair, and the track's rallying cry of "Kick out the jams, motherfuckers!". According to guitarist Wayne Kramer, the band recorded this as "Kick out the jams, brothers and sisters!" for the single released for radio play; lead vocalist Rob Tyner claimed this was done without group consensus. The edited version also appeared in some LP copies, which also withdrew Sinclair's excitable comments. The album was released in January 1969; reviews were mixed, but the album was relatively successful, quickly selling over 100,000 copies and peaking at #30 on the Billboard album chart in May 1969 during a 23-week stay.
When Hudson's, a Detroit-based department store chain, refused to stock the Kick Out the Jams album due to the obscenity, MC5 responded with a full-page advertisement in the local underground magazine Fifth Estate saying "Stick Alive with the MC5, and Fuck Hudson's!", prominently including the logo of MC5's label, Elektra Records, in the ad. Hudson's pulled all Elektra records from their stores, and in the ensuing controversy, Jac Holzman, the head of Elektra, dropped the band from their contract. MC5 then signed with Atlantic Records.
Formats and track listing US 7" single (EK-45648) "Kick Out the Jams" (Michael Davis, Wayne Kramer, Fred "Sonic" Smith, Dennis Thompson, Rob Tyner) – 2:37 "Motor City Is Burning" – 4:30
Personnel Adapted from the Kick Out the Jams liner notes. Musicians Michael Davis – bass guitar, backing vocals Wayne Kramer – electric guitar, backing vocals Fred "Sonic" Smith – electric guitar, backing vocals Dennis Thompson – drums Rob Tyner – lead vocals Production and additional personnel Bruce Botnick – production, engineering Jac Holzman – production
Charts Chart (1969)Peakposition U.S. Billboard Hot 10082 Canada RPM51
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalog United States 1969 Elektra LP EK-45648
Cover versions +BandYearReleaseBlue Öyster Cult1978Some Enchanted EveningAfrika Bambaataa and Family1986Beware (The Funk Is Everywhere)Volcano Suns1989Thing of BeautyThe Big F1990Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th AnniversaryBad Brains with Henry RollinsPump Up the Volume (Music From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Poison Idea1992Pajama Party The FluidSpot the Loon Guitar Wolf1994Kung Fu RamoneThe Presidents of the United States of America1995The Presidents of the United States of AmericaThe Mono Men"Kick out the Jams!"/"We Got What It Takes"Mindless Self IndulgenceMindless Self-IndulgenceMichael Monroe1996Peace of MindEntombed1997DCLXVI: To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the TruthRich Hopkins & LuminariosThe Glorious Sounds of Rich Hopkins & LuminariosMonster Magnet1998PowertripWayne KramerLLMF (Live Like a Mutherfucker) The Rob Tyner Band1999Rock and Roll PeopleSilverchairLive at Melbourne ParkRage Against the Machine2000RenegadesJoseph LoDucaXena: Warrior Princess episode "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire"Jeff Buckley2001Jeff Buckley Live À L'OlympiaAgitated2002Go Blue, Go DieThe NomadsShowdown 2-The 90'sGive Up the Ghost2003Year OneEuropaWake Up - A Tribute to Rage Against the MachinePearl Jam200512/9/05, Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, MexicoDisoscillators featuring You the Rock2009Last RockersSweet Sweeper Social Club featuring Trent ReznorN/A (live performance)Frankenstein 30002010They'll Be Waking Up SoonThe Strypes2014Flat OutBlack Hay2015Imitating the JamsU.K. Subs2018SubversionsSuzi Quatro featuring Alice Cooper2026Freedom
References
External links