Generator
-Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a planet,
Like a fucking atom bomb,
I'll remain unperturbed by the joy and the madness
That I encounter everywhere I turn
I've seen it all before
In book and magazines
Like a pornographic sea
There's a flower behind the window
There's an ugly laughing man
Like a hummingbird in silence
Like the blood on the door
It's the generator
Oh yeah, oh yeah, like the blood on my door
Wash me clean and I will run
Until I reach the shore
I've known it all along
Like the bone under my skin
Like actors in a photograph
Like paper in the wind
There's a hammer by the window
There's a knife on the floor
Like turbines in darkness
Like the blood on my door
It's the generator
"Generator" by Bad Religion is a song that reflects upon the human condition and how we interact with the world around us. The song begins by likening the singer's unshakable perseverance and resilience to a variety of powerful forces, from a rock to an atom bomb. The lyrics express a sense of detachment and stoicism as the singer encounters the ups and downs of life, both joyful and maddening. The singer has seen it all before and is unfazed, likening the experience to a mere twitch before dying or a pornographic sea.
Throughout the song, the singer takes note of various objects and experiences that give deeper meaning to their view of the world. They observe a flower behind the window, an ugly laughing man, a hammer by the window, and a knife on the floor, each symbolizing something unique. The refrain of the song, "It's the generator," serves as a kind of anchor, suggesting that all of these disparate elements are interconnected and fuel the singer's unstoppable drive forward.
Overall, "Generator" is a thought-provoking meditation on the human experience and the forces that drive us forward in life. It encourages listeners to cultivate a sense of resilience and detachment in order to weather life's ups and downs and emerge stronger on the other side.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a rock,
Unwavering and unchanging
Like a planet,
Steadfast and enduring
Like a fucking atom bomb,
Explosive and powerful
I'll remain unperturbed by the joy and the madness
I will not be affected by the extremes of life
That I encounter everywhere I turn
In everything I see and experience
I've seen it all before
I am familiar with these experiences
In book and magazines
In the media and literature
Like a twitch before dying
Like a brief, insignificant moment
Like a pornographic sea
Like an overwhelming and explicit sight
There's a flower behind the window
There is beauty in this world
There's an ugly laughing man
There is also ugliness and negativity
Like a hummingbird in silence
Fleeting and quiet
Like the blood on the door
Symbolic of violence and death
It's the generator
It is the source of this energy and power
Oh yeah, oh yeah, like the blood on my door
Reinforcing the earlier symbolism of violence and death
Wash me clean and I will run
I can start anew
Until I reach the shore
Until I find peace and resolution
I've known it all along
I have always been aware of this truth
Like the bone under my skin
Like a fundamental part of me
Like actors in a photograph
Like images frozen in time
Like paper in the wind
Like something easily blown away
There's a hammer by the window
There is potential for destruction and violence
There's a knife on the floor
Furthering the themes of violence and danger
Like turbines in darkness
Like things that are unseen but powerful
Like the blood on my door
Repeating the earlier symbol of violence and death
It's the generator
Emphasizing that this energy and power is still present
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SoulHeights
Pls stop over explaining😕
Matt Whitman
My bad SoulHeights. I feel like such an idiot, but the truth is, I do overexplain sometimes, and it's clearly something I need to work on, and I've actually been told that since I was a little kid. I think the overexplaining problem probably started when I was about three. My mom used to give me these books with lots of bright colors and sounds, and then after I looked at them for a while she'd always ask me to describe to her what I'd seen in the book, and then she'd praise me more if my explanation was more detailed and maybe a little bit less if my description was a little more vague (even though she was always super supportive, and an attentive loving mom even to this day; she and my dad are still alive and doing well, and they even offer me great feedback and suggestions on my videos and podcasts that I do on the internet, so I'm not saying she did anything wrong here). Now look, she was probably just trying to nurture my communication skills and improve my ability to interact with adults and with the written word, but that kind of thing sticks with a kid, and I pretty soon I found myself carefully explaining things to my coaches, my teachers, classmates, people at church, teammates, cashiers, this one guy named Ted who my parents were friends with, but I'm not quite sure what he did for a living or even where they met him. But I can tell you this, Ted was a cool guy, and he would always ask the best follow up questions. I think one time Ted was with us at some kind of family pizza party at this little privately-owned pizza joint and arcade, and he let me explain the plot of all the video games in the arcade to him for hours. That was a great day, and I think I became a way better explainer after that. I heard Ted died a while back, which is sad because he was a great listener and also great at Dig Dug. Do you know what Dig Dug is? Oh man, where to even begin with the classic video game Dig Dug? I think it's safe to say that anyone who was a fan of arcade games back in the day has at least heard of this one, if not actually played it themselves. For those who might not be familiar, let me try to explain: So, in Dig Dug, you play as this little guy (whose name is, you guessed it, Dig Dug) who has to navigate through a series of underground tunnels and caverns, all while avoiding or defeating various monsters and other hazards. The game is set up on a grid, and you use the joystick to move Dig Dug around and use the buttons to make him dig tunnels or use his trusty air pump to inflate and defeat the enemies. The main objective of the game is to clear each level of all the enemies, which can be quite a challenge at times. There are four different types of enemies in total: the round, red Pookas, the green, dragon-like Fygars, the grey rocks that fall from the ceiling, and the little white balls that chase you around. Each one has its own unique characteristics and behaviors, so you have to be strategic in how you approach them. One of the most interesting aspects of Dig Dug, in my opinion, is the way that you can use the terrain to your advantage. You can dig tunnels through the dirt to create paths or blockades, and you can also use your air pump to collapse the ground and trap enemies or cause them to fall into pits. This adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay, as you have to think about the layout of each level and how you can use it to your advantage. Of course, no classic arcade game would be complete without power-ups, and Dig Dug has a few of those as well. You can collect vegetables (yes, vegetables) to earn points, and there are also special items that give you temporary invincibility or speed boosts. These can come in handy when you're in a tight spot and need a little extra help to make it through a particularly tricky section. All in all, Dig Dug is a classic game that has stood the test of time and continues to be enjoyed by fans of all ages. It's a simple yet challenging game that requires quick reflexes and strategic thinking, and it's definitely worth checking out if you haven't already. Anyways Ted died of an aneurism, which is horrible. I still think about him sometimes, and I definitely know he is missed by so many. I didn't know what an aneurism was, but I went back and did some reading, and wow! It's a scary thing! Okay, so an aneurism is like this thing that can happen in your blood vessels, right? And it's when, like, a part of the vessel gets weak or something and then it balloons out and it's really dangerous. I think it's like, if it bursts or something, it can cause bleeding in your brain and that's really bad. I'm not totally sure how it happens, but I think it might have something to do with, like, your genes or your lifestyle or something. I know that some people are more prone to getting an aneurism than others. And I think it's more common in older people, but it can happen to anyone at any age. So if you think you might have an aneurism, you should definitely go to the doctor and get it checked out. They might do some tests or something to see if you have one and then they'll figure out the best way to treat it. I think sometimes they can fix it with surgery or something, but it's really serious so you definitely want to catch it as soon as possible. I don't know, that's all I really know about aneurisms. Sorry if I'm not making a lot of sense, I'm just really excited to be able to talk about something I learned about. Anyways, that pizza place where I ate with Ted and all those other families also made sloppy joe sandwiches and I still remember the first time I had one of these bad boys. It was back in the day, when I was just a young fella. I had never had anything quite like it before. You see, a sloppy joe is a sandwich that's piled high with ground beef, onions, and a special sauce. It's served on a bun, and it's just about the messiest, most delicious thing you've ever eaten. The sauce is sweet and tangy, and it's got just the right amount of kick to it. The beef is juicy and flavorful, and the onions add a nice crunch. And when it's all nestled between two soft, fluffy buns, it's pure heaven. Now, I'll admit, these sandwiches can be a bit of a handful. They're not the kind of thing you can eat neatly, like a PB&J. No, you've got to dive in with both hands and get a little bit messy. But that's part of the fun, isn't it? And the best thing about sloppy joes is that they're so easy to make. All you need is some ground beef, a few onions, and a jar of that special sauce. Then just throw it all in a pan and let it simmer for a bit. Before you know it, you've got a pile of sloppy joe goodness that's just begging to be devoured. I'm not saying sloppy joes are the best kind of sandwich - probably they're far from it - but it's not like you can say that definitively because everyone has their own opinions about sandwiches and some of those opinions get a little intense if you know what I mean. There are just so many different kinds to choose from. It's kind of overwhelming, you know? Like, do you want a cold sandwich or a hot sandwich? Do you want meat or no meat? Do you want it on white bread or something fancy like sourdough or rye? Too many options. But I think the most popular kind of sandwiches are probably the ones that are like, you know, super simple. Like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or maybe just some deli meat and cheese on white bread. Those are like the classics, you know? And they're easy to make, so I can see why they're popular. But personally, I think the best kind of sandwich is one that's a little bit more creative. Like, maybe it has some weird ingredients that you wouldn't normally think to put together, but they work really well. Like, have you ever had a sandwich with avocado and bacon on it? That's like, my all-time favorite. Or maybe something with hummus and roasted vegetables, that's really good too. I don't know, I guess it just depends on what you're in the mood for. Sometimes I just want something simple and easy, but other times I want to be a little bit more adventurous. And I think that's the beauty of sandwiches, you know? There's just so much you can do with them. They're really versatile and there's something for everyone. Anyways, I have to admit, I have a tendency to overexplain things sometimes. It's not something that I do intentionally, but it just happens. I think it's because I get really excited about certain topics or ideas and I just want to share everything I know about them with anyone who will listen. But I know that it can be frustrating for the person on the other end, especially if they're not as interested in the topic as I am. I've had friends and family members tell me that I can be a bit of a "word vomit" at times, and I totally understand where they're coming from. So, I just want to say that I'm sorry if I ever come across as overexplaining things. It's not something that I do to try and show off or anything like that, I just get really passionate about certain things and I want to share that with others. I'll try to be more mindful of it in the future and not go on and on about things that might not be of interest to everyone. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from and that you can forgive me for my tendency to overexplain things.
Lydia Simpson
@Matt Whitman your comment.. hahahaha again, over explaining.. lol made me laugh. I enjoyed watching
Nell Toler
@Matt Whitman hahaha people are so dumb lmao you made me laugh 😂😂
Bryant Walley
@Matt Whitman this made my day.
Matt Whitman
@Lydia Simpson Thanks Lydia!
Brian Farley
Would love to see the Book of Revelation done. I bet that would be amazing
Golf in the Family
it's Revelation... only one. :) Grace and Peace to you
Stephen Young
That would be amazing! And Ezekiel
John Jones
Would be magnificent. Also would love to see the Creation and the ten plagues