I Predict a Riot


"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 2 July 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 ', 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 ' as downloadable content alongside present from the start, "Ruby". It has also been confirmed for release for Rock Band. Currently the song is played at Elland Road immediately before the band's hometown club Leeds United F.C. walk onto the pitch. "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

  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Take My Temperature"
  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Take My Temperature"
  3. "Wrecking Ball"
  4. "I Predict a Riot"

    Re-issue

  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Sink That Ship"
  1. "I Predict a Riot"
  2. "Less Is More"
  3. "Everyday I Love You Less and Less "
  4. "I Predict a Riot"

    Charts

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position

Year-end charts

Certifications