It's Okay (To Punch Nazis)

"It's Okay (To Punch Nazis)" is a direct and unapologetic anti-fascist anthem by the feminist punk band Cheap Perfume. The song's meaning is explicit in its title, arguing that violence is a justifiable response to the hate and genocidal ideology espoused by neo-Nazis and white supremacists. The lyrics were written in response to the rise of the alt-right and the political climate following the 2016 US presidential election. The song directly confronts the debate around the use of force against fascist movements, taking a firm stance that passivity is not an option when faced with ideologies that advocate for the extermination of entire groups of people.

The song also critiques what the band perceives as the normalization of extremist views, referencing how racists have hired PR firms and adopted a more mainstream appearance. It points out the hypocrisy of a society that would rather elect a 'rapist' than a woman, a clear reference to the political events of the time. The repeated line, "The Nazis changed their name, now they're called the alt-right," serves to strip away the sanitized label and expose the underlying ideology. Ultimately, the song is a call to action, encouraging listeners to be actively anti-fascist and to stand up against racism, homophobia, and misogyny. While the band has stated the song is not a literal call to violence, they also express that if someone were to punch a Nazi, it would be 'awesome'.

The song opens by describing a society rendered gullible by fear, allowing a bully to seize control and creating an atmosphere where extremist ideologies, once thought defeated, have resurfaced. It paints a picture of a past battle against these dark forces that was believed to have been won, but now it feels as if an army of the dead has returned. The lyrics point out that modern racists have adopted a more polished image, hiring public relations firms and dressing in respectable attire, yet they harbor the same hateful ideology as their predecessors. The song then emphatically states a point the band feels should be painfully obvious: it is acceptable to physically confront Nazis.

The chorus expresses disbelief at the current political climate, highlighting the irony of a society that would prefer a morally corrupt individual in power over a woman. It suggests that complacency in defending fundamental rights has allowed extremist groups to rebrand themselves, with the term 'alt-right' being a new name for an old evil. The song explicitly calls for the downfall of white supremacists and condemns the hateful rhetoric spread by figures like Milo Yiannopoulos. It champions the cause of intersectionality, advocating for the basic human rights of all people and vowing to continue the fight until fascism is completely eradicated. The track further encourages direct action against toxic online communities like the 'Red Pill' movement and the Ku Klux Klan, expressing utter disdain for their ideologies. The central, repeated message is a raw and unapologetic declaration that physically striking a Nazi is a justifiable act in the face of their hateful and dangerous beliefs.

The song's bridge and outro reiterate the core message with increasing intensity. The repetition of the lines about preferring a 'rapist' or a 'racist' to a woman in power underscores the perceived misogyny and hypocrisy of the current political landscape. The constant refrain that Nazis have simply 'changed their name' to the 'alt-right' serves as a stark reminder that the threat has not disappeared but has merely adopted a new guise. The track concludes with this powerful and controversial assertion, leaving no room for ambiguity in its militant stance against the resurgence of fascist and white supremacist ideologies.

"It's Okay (To Punch Nazis)" was written by the Colorado-based feminist punk band Cheap Perfume in early 2017. The song was a direct reaction to the election of Donald Trump and the concurrent rise of the alt-right movement in the United States. Jane No, the band's guitarist and a primary songwriter, conceived of the song's concept after the video of white nationalist Richard Spencer being punched went viral. She was struck by the debate that ensued, with some people condemning the violence regardless of the target's beliefs.

The band, which initially formed in 2015 with a focus on feminist issues like rape culture and sexual liberation, found their direction shifting towards more political themes in response to the changing social and political landscape. The song was recorded before the violent 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, where Heather Heyer was killed by a white supremacist. This event made the song's release on September 1, 2017, even more poignant and timely. The band decided to donate all proceeds from the single's sales to the Heather Heyer Foundation. The music video for the song incorporates footage of various demonstrations that followed Trump's election, as well as the clip of Richard Spencer being punched.

The song is characterized by a driving, aggressive rhythm with a fast tempo, typical of punk rock. The drum beat is straightforward and powerful, providing a solid foundation for the energetic guitars and vocals. The time signature is a standard 4/4. The lyrical rhythm is declamatory and emphatic, often delivered in short, punchy phrases that align with the song's confrontational tone. The vocal delivery is more shouted than sung, prioritizing passion and anger over melodic complexity.

The rhyme scheme is relatively simple, often using AABB or ABCB patterns, which contributes to the song's directness and accessibility. For example, in the first verse: "Our fear has made us gullible / A bully rose to take control / And now they′re yelling 'off with their heads!' / We've been through this, we ended it". The rhymes are often perfect or near-perfect, making the lyrics memorable and easy to follow, which is effective for a protest song intended to be sung along to.

Musically, "It's Okay (To Punch Nazis)" is characteristic of the punk and riot grrrl genres. It features a fast tempo, aggressive, distorted guitar riffs, a driving bassline, and powerful, shout-sung dual female vocals. The song's structure is simple and direct, reinforcing the straightforward nature of its message. The production is raw and unpolished, typical of punk music, which adds to the song's sense of urgency and authenticity.

Lyrically, the song employs several techniques:

• Direct Address and Sloganeering: The chorus, "Yes, it's okay to punch Nazis!", is a clear and memorable slogan designed for chanting and protest.
• Topical and Political References: The lyrics are filled with direct references to contemporary events and figures, such as the rise of the 'alt-right', Milo Yiannopoulos, and the 'Red Pill' community. This firmly roots the song in a specific political moment.
• Satire and Irony: There's a satirical edge to lines like "We'd rather have a rapist than a woman in power," which highlights the perceived hypocrisy and absurdity of the political situation.
• Repetition: The recurring chorus and the repeated phrase "The Nazis changed their name, now they're called the all-right" drill the song's central themes into the listener's mind.

"It's Okay (To Punch Nazis)" became a significant anthem within anti-fascist and punk rock circles upon its release. The song and its accompanying music video, which featured the viral footage of Richard Spencer being punched, gained considerable online attention and sparked debate. It was released at a time of heightened political tension in the United States, particularly following the events in Charlottesville, and it resonated with many who were angered by the rise of the alt-right.

The song solidified Cheap Perfume's reputation as an unapologetically political and feminist punk band. While it did not achieve mainstream chart success, its impact is measured by its adoption as a protest song and its role in the ongoing cultural conversation about how to confront extremism. The band has used the song's popularity to raise funds for causes they support, such as the Heather Heyer Foundation. The song has been a fixture of their live shows and remains one of their most popular and defining tracks. It has been discussed in various online forums and publications, often in the context of political activism in music.

The song largely forgoes subtle metaphor in favor of direct, confrontational language. However, some symbolism is present:

• 'An army back from the dead': This phrase symbolizes the resurgence of Nazi and fascist ideologies that were widely believed to have been defeated after World War II. It conveys the shock and horror at seeing these hateful ideas re-emerge in the modern political discourse.
• 'Men in fancy shirts': This refers to the rebranding of white supremacists as the 'alt-right'. The 'fancy shirts' symbolize a superficial attempt to appear more mainstream and less threatening, while their underlying ideology remains the same.
• 'The Red Pill plague': This is a direct reference to the online 'Red Pill' community, which is associated with misogyny and anti-feminist ideologies. Labeling it a 'plague' frames it as a destructive and contagious social disease.
• Punching a Nazi: While a literal act, it also functions as a powerful symbol of active and uncompromising resistance to fascism. It represents a rejection of passive debate and a call for direct action against hate.

The most prominent recurring phrase is the song's title and central hook: "Yes, it's okay to punch Nazis!". This phrase is repeated with conviction and serves as the song's thesis statement, leaving no doubt about the band's position. Its repetition functions as a rallying cry and a defiant affirmation.

Another key recurring phrase is "The Nazis changed their name, now they're called the all-right." This line is repeated in each chorus and is crucial to the song's argument. It directly links the modern alt-right movement to historical Nazism, stripping it of any perceived legitimacy and exposing it as a continuation of the same hateful ideology.

The line "Never thought it'd happen, but now look where we are" also recurs, expressing a sense of shock and dismay at the political turn of events. This phrase, combined with the apathetic preference for a 'rapist' or 'racist' over a woman in power, creates a recurring motif of disbelief and disillusionment with the state of society.