I Predict a Riot

"I Predict a Riot"
Single by Kaiser Chiefs
from the album Employment
Released 1 November 2004
22 August 2005 (re-issue)
Format 7", CD
Recorded Chapel Studios, 2004
Genre Indie rock, post-punk revival
Length 3:52
Label B-Unique
Songwriter(s) Ricky Wilson, Andrew White, Simon Rix, Nick Baines, and Nick Hodgson
Producer(s) Stephen Street
Kaiser Chiefs singles chronology
"Oh My God"
(2004)		 "I Predict a Riot"
(2004)		 "String Module Error: Match not found"
(2005)

"I Predict a Riot" is a song by Kaiser Chiefs, appearing on their debut album Employment. It was originally released as their second single on 1 November 2004, and was the band's first release on the B-Unique label. It entered at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart. When re-released on 22 August 2005 as a double A-side with "Sink that Ship", it peaked at number nine on the UK chart.

Background

Portraying a rowdy night out in their native Leeds with members from the former band Black Wire, "I Predict a Riot" is possibly the group's best-known song, along with "Ruby". It is one of the three tracks the band played when they opened Live 8 in Philadelphia, alongside "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" and "Oh My God".

The song makes a reference to John Smeaton ("an old Leodiensian"), a Civil Engineer, born in Austhorpe, Leeds. Singer Ricky Wilson's house was named after him. The song thrives on its Yorkshire heritage with the use of pronouns such as "thee", a nod to the band's origins, for "thee" and "thou" survived in Yorkshire dialect, and are still used to an extent today. Both "I Predict a Riot" and "Sink that Ship" were featured on the soundtrack to the video game Gran Turismo 4. "I Predict a Riot" appeared in Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock as downloadable content alongside present from the start, "Ruby". It has also been confirmed for release for Rock Band. "Take My Temperature", a B-side on the initial release, is a live favourite, notably at earlier gigs. Also, the guitar riff after "who doesn't want to be out there" is overdubbed with Hammond organ, played by Peanut. In live performances, the song begins with a drum solo played by Nick and Ricky around the same kit.

It featured in a scene of Las Vegas second season, episode 16 titled "Can You See What I See?". The song and the band are also referenced in Plan B's 2012 song "Ill Manors", specifically in the lyrics "London's burning, I predict a riot / Fall in, fall out who knows what it's all about / What did that chief say? / Something 'bout the kaisers"

Music video

There have been two videos produced for "I Predict a Riot". The first, made for the original release, was directed by Charlie Paul, and features the band performing in front of a crowded audience, who appear to start a "pillow fight".

Notably, the video contains Ricky Wilson wearing a Nevile house tie, from the Leeds Grammar School.

However, it was the second video, directed by Swedish collective StyleWar, that gained more airplay. The main plot is the band wandering and performing in an Edwardian town, catching the attention of a mysterious freak show owner. The climax of the features the band performing on the stage of a crowded replica of The Globe Theatre.

Track listing

Initial release

  • "7 BUN088-7:
  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Take My Temperature"
  • CD BUN088CD:
  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Take My Temperature"
  3. "Wrecking Ball"
  4. "I Predict a Riot" (Enhanced Video)

Re-issue

  • 7", CD:
  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Sink That Ship"
  • Maxi CD:
  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Less Is More"
  3. "Everyday I Love You Less and Less (Boys Noize Remix)"
  4. "I Predict a Riot" (2005 Version, Enhanced Video)

Charts

Cover versions

McFly and Bedouin Soundclash have also covered the song on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge. More unusual cover versions have included a choral version from The Cheshire Chord all female choir and a salsa version (Predigo un alboroto) from The Swanvesta Social Club. The song was also covered by Girls Aloud on their 2006 Chemistry arena tour and on the soundtrack to St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold, they changed the lyric "borrow a pound for a condom" to "borrow a pound for the bus home", which the band appeared to take offence to.[14] The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band covered the song on their 2007 reunion album Pour l'Amour des Chiens. In 2006, New Zealand radio broadcaster "The Joint" mixed excerpts from financial analysts Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert's radio programs to produce a version of the song[15] reflecting the trillions of dollars of derivatives in the shadow banking system which they correctly predicted would cause a financial meltdown. In 2011, Irish pop group Westlife performed the song as part of their medley for their Gravity Tour.

Parodies

In the late 2000s, Chris Moyles did a parody of "I Predict a Riot" called "I Predict a Diet", which Moyles sings about needing a diet.

References

  1. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Predict a Riot / Sink That Ship". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  8. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  10. ↑ "Kaiser Chiefs Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  11. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2005". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  12. ↑ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2006" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  13. ↑ "British single certifications – Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 9 July 2018. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type I Predict a Riot in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  14. ↑ "Liverpool nightlife and music - Liverpool Echo". Musicblog.merseyblogs.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  15. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
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