<P> `` Zoot Suit Riot '' is written in the musical style of 1940s jump blues . Lyrically , the song 's narrative revolves around the Los Angeles Zoot Suit riots of the 1940s , though Perry has stated the song makes no overt political or social commentary regarding the events . In a 2009 interview , he elaborated on its significance as an intended `` anthem '' for the swing scene , saying `` I guess it seemed like a Pachuco rallying cry that could double as a dance anthem for those of us interested in swing music and culture at a time when nobody else was . It was an expression of a proud marginalism . That 's not that deep , but there you go . '' In discussing the appropriation of the actual Zoot Suit riots , he wrote `` To me , the simplified duality I used as I wrote the song was : we swingers were in solidarity with our counter cultural ancestors the ' Zoot Suiters ' and we were opposed to the ' sailors ' who represented the squares who were n't yet hip to our growing communal jive '' . </P>
what is the song zoot suit riot about
the Los Angeles Zoot Suit riots of the 1940s