"Come Out and Play" is a song by The Offspring from their third studio album, "Smash," released in 1994. Here are some interesting facts about the song and the band:
Commercial Success: "Come Out and Play" was one of The Offspring's most commercially successful singles. It reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and also found success in other charts worldwide.
Social Commentary: The lyrics of the song touch on the theme of gang violence and its impact on youth culture. It warns against the consequences of solving problems through violence.
Sampled Intro: The song starts with a spoken-word sample from the film "Repo Man," a cult classic from 1984 directed by Alex Cox. The sample says, "You gotta keep 'em separated."
Popularity of "Keep 'Em Separated": The phrase "Keep 'Em Separated" became iconic due to its repetition in the chorus. It has been widely recognized and associated with The Offspring.
Music Video: The music video for "Come Out and Play" received significant airplay on MTV. The video features a distinctive animation style and showcases the band performing in a chaotic urban environment.
Album Success: "Smash" is the best-selling independent label album of all time. It was originally released on Epitaph Records, an independent punk rock label founded by Brett Gurewitz, the guitarist for Bad Religion.
Mainstream Breakthrough: "Come Out and Play" played a crucial role in propelling The Offspring into mainstream success. The success of "Smash" marked a turning point for both the band and the punk rock genre, gaining widespread popularity.
Legacy: The Offspring's "Come Out and Play" remains one of their most well-known and enduring songs. It is often featured in retrospectives of 1990s music and punk rock anthologies.
Longevity: Despite being released in 1994, "Come Out and Play" continues to be a staple of The Offspring's live performances, highlighting its enduring popularity among fans.
Impact on Punk Rock: The success of "Come Out and Play" and the "Smash" album played a significant role in bringing punk rock to a mainstream audience in the mid-1990s, influencing the direction of punk music in the following years.