In 2012, Grace publicly came out as transgender. After a long period of line-up changes and uncertainty surrounding the band's future, their sixth studio album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues, was released independently in January 2014 to critical acclaim. The band's seventh album, Shape Shift with Me, was released in 2016. In addition, the band have four well known EPs: Crime as Forgiven by Against Me!, The Acoustic EP, The Disco Before the Breakdown, and New Wave B-Sides. They have released numerous singles, two live albums, and demo versions of the three of their studio albums.
Band members:
Laura Jane Grace – vocals, guitar
James Bowman – lead guitar
Andrew Seward – bass
Atom Willard – drums
Former members:
Kevin Mahon – drums (1998–2001)
Dustin Fridkin – bass (2000–2002)
Warren Oakes – drums (2001–2009)
George Rebelo – drums (2009–2010)
Jay Weinberg – drums (2010–2012)
Inge Johansson – bass (2013–2018)
Discography:
• Reinventing Axl Rose (2002)
• As the Eternal Cowboy (2003)
• Searching for a Former Clarity (2005)
• New Wave (2007)
• White Crosses (2010)
• Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014)
• Shape Shift with Me (2016)
Ache With Me
Against Me! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been lost in crowds of strangers.
Searched record shops and cosmetic aisles, phone books, want ads, bus stops and libraries.
Newspaper headlines, mannequin faces, television stations, billboard advertisements.
Your voice echoes in the back of my mind.
I see your face when I close my eyes.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
Through bar rooms, cafes, jail cells and court rooms.
Theaters, restaurants, graveyards and churches.
I've spent every dollar that I've ever earned.
I'll bleed my heart out, I'll give every word.
I've asked preachers, doctors and lawyers, socialites, pariahs, mothers and fathers.
You may not find all that you're after, in the end I hope it doesn't matter.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
I've got no judgment for you.
Come on and ache with me.
The song "Ache With Me" by Against Me! is a powerful and emotional track exploring the sense of defeat and disillusionment that comes with being unable to achieve one's dreams and ideals. The verses describe the singer's search for meaning and purpose in various places, from high streets and record shops to graveyards and churches. Despite this search, they constantly hear the voice of someone they miss, and see their face when they close their eyes, indicating that they are struggling with a deep sense of loss.
The chorus poses a question to the listener, asking if they share the same feelings of defeat and have come to the realization that they will never be all they hoped to be. The next few lines describe the often-heartbreaking process of losing hope and becoming cynical, while the final lines of the chorus invite the listener to share in the singer's pain and "ache with me," suggesting that there is comfort in knowing that others feel the same way.
Overall, "Ache With Me" is an emotional and powerful song that speaks to the universal experience of struggling with disappointment, loss, and a sense of disillusionment. Despite the sadness and despair that permeates the song, there is also a sense of hope and connection that comes from sharing one's struggles with others.
Line by Line Meaning
I've walked down high streets looking through windows.
I've wandered through the city streets, gazing through store windows, searching for some sign of purpose or direction.
I've been lost in crowds of strangers.
I've felt alone and disconnected, surrounded by people I don't know or understand.
Searched record shops and cosmetic aisles, phone books, want ads, bus stops and libraries.
I've scoured every possible source of information in the hopes of finding something to fill the emptiness within me.
Newspaper headlines, mannequin faces, television stations, billboard advertisements.
I've been bombarded by messages and images from every direction, each one promising happiness but leaving me feeling more lost and isolated than ever.
Your voice echoes in the back of my mind.
Despite everything, I can't help but cling to the memory of someone who once gave me hope and direction.
I see your face when I close my eyes.
Even in my dreams, I can't escape the thought of the one person who ever made me feel like I mattered.
Do you share the same sense of defeat?
Do you, too, feel like everything you've searched for has led nowhere, leaving you empty and bereft?
Have you realized all the things you'll never be?
Have you come to accept that certain dreams and ideals you once held dear are now out of reach, forever beyond your grasp?
Ideals turn to resentment, open minds close up with cynicism.
All too often, the disappointment and frustration of unfulfilled hopes can lead us to become bitter and closed off to the world around us.
I've got no judgment for you.
I'm not here to judge or condemn you for the choices you've made or the paths you've taken.
Come on and ache with me.
Instead, I invite you to share in my pain and sadness, to connect with me in our mutual sense of loss and longing.
Through bar rooms, cafes, jail cells and court rooms.
I've been to dark and desperate places, seeking answers and solace.
Theaters, restaurants, graveyards and churches.
I've looked for meaning and purpose in every corner of the world, from the mundane to the sublime.
I've spent every dollar that I've ever earned.
I've poured my heart and soul into every pursuit and endeavor, hoping to find something that would make it all worth it.
I'll bleed my heart out, I'll give every word.
I'm willing to lay myself bare, to share every part of myself in the hopes of connecting with others who share my pain.
I've asked preachers, doctors and lawyers, socialites, pariahs, mothers and fathers.
I've sought guidance and wisdom from every possible source, from the most respected authorities to the most outcast and despised members of society.
You may not find all that you're after, in the end I hope it doesn't matter.
Despite all the searching and pain, I still hold onto the hope that there may be something more, something that makes it all worthwhile in the end.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diana McMahon
Man, from a person who deals with daily anxiety, that chorus really hits home..."Do you share the same sense of defeat? Have you realized all the things you'll never be?" Yes and yes. 😔
Michael Keller
this song seemed to take on a whole new meaning after her transition.
Anethyst lol
Shout out to those who are reminded of lost loved ones when they hear this song.
Carey Hendricks
i love this song. my ex really enoyed it aswell. was kinda our song. its so good i still love it even though her and i are threw. its not that big of a deal to hate my fav music over
chptrk75
I love both albums. White Crosses and Black Crosses. Got one in the car and one in the music room. Even bought the triple Album set that each record is a different color. I got to meet the whole band when I went to The Warped tour. Great people!
Josue Ramirez
This song has helped through the pain. Thank you.
12Daniel34
"Do you share the same sense of defeat? Have you realized all the things you'll never eat?"
Tim the Hermit
A beautifully written song, and one of my all time favorites by Against Me!
Francisco Ribeiro
One of my favorites. Thanks for the upload.
Johnny Biggs
Beautiful and moving