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)
Black Me Out
Against Me! Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to know people like that anymore
As if there was an obligation
As if I owed you something
Black me out
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to chop those brass rings off
As if you were a king-maker
As if, as if, as if
Black me out
I don't want to see the world that way anymore
I don't want to feel that weak and insecure
As if you were my fucking pimp
As if I was your fucking whore
Black me out
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to chop those brass rings
Off your fat fucking fingers
As if you were a king-maker
As if, as if, as if
Black me out
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to chop those brass rings
Off your fat fucking fingers
As if you were a king-maker
As if, as if, as if
Black me out
All the young graves filled
Don't the best all burn out
So bright and so fast?
All the young graves filled
Don't the best all burn out
So bright and so fast?
Full body high
I'm never coming down
Black me out
The song "Black Me Out" by Against Me! is a furious and powerful statement of defiance against toxic relationships and people who try to manipulate or control the singer. It opens with the singer declaring that they never want to "talk that way again" or know "people like that anymore" - referring to the way they were likely talked down to, hurt or controlled by someone in the past. The singer rejects any sense of obligation or debt they may have felt to this person, saying "as if there was an obligation, as if I owed you something".
The rest of the song follows a similar theme, as the singer imagines retaliating against their oppressor in violent, extreme ways, saying they want to "piss on the walls of your house," "chop those brass rings off your fat fucking fingers," and so on. The repetition of "as if, as if, as if" adds emphasis to the absurdity of the situation, the false power the oppressor believes they have over the singer.
The song ends on a more ambiguous note, with the lines "all the young graves filled, don't the best all burn out, so bright and so fast? Full body high, I'm never coming down, black me out." This seems to suggest that the singer is aware of how fleeting and temporary life can be, but is choosing to embrace the momentary feeling of power and freedom they get from imagining revenge on their oppressor.
Overall, "Black Me Out" is a visceral, angry, and cathartic song that speaks to anyone who has ever felt powerless or trapped in a toxic relationship or situation. The song reminds us that no one has the right to control us or make us feel small, and that we are always capable of fighting back in whatever way feels right to us.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't ever want to talk that way again
I don't want to engage in that type of communication ever again.
I don't want to know people like that anymore
I don't want to associate with individuals like that anymore.
As if there was an obligation
As if there was an expectation or requirement for me to comply.
As if I owed you something
As if I had some sort of debt or obligation to repay to you.
Black me out
Cut me off entirely and completely.
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to show disrespect and contempt by defiling your property.
I want to chop those brass rings off
I want to remove the symbols of your perceived authority or influence.
Your fat fucking fingers
Your fingers that represent your power and control.
As if you were a king-maker
As if you had the ability to make or break someone's success.
As if, as if, as if
As if it were true, though it is not.
I don't want to see the world that way anymore
I don't want to perceive the world through a lens of weakness and insecurity.
I don't want to feel that weak and insecure
I don't want to experience those feelings of vulnerability and inadequacy.
As if you were my fucking pimp
As if you were exploiting, controlling, and using me for your own gain.
As if I was your fucking whore
As if I was being stripped of my dignity and self-worth.
All the young graves filled
All the individuals who have passed away prematurely.
Don't the best all burn out
Isn't it true that the most talented, skilled, and desirable individuals tend to die young or fade away quickly.
So bright and so fast?
Did their brilliance and vibrance fade or intensify as they left the world?
Full body high
The sensation of being fully alive and passionate, ascending beyond the physical boundaries.
I'm never coming down
I want to maintain a permanent state of being alive and fulfilled.
Black me out
Cut me off entirely and completely.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lo Svi
I don't ever want to talk that way again
I don't want to know people like that anymore
As if there was an obligation
As if I owed you something
Black me out
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to chop those brass rings off
Your fat fucking fingers
As if you were a king-maker
As if, as if, as if
Black me out
I don't want to see the world that way anymore
I don't want to feel that weak and insecure
As if you were my fucking pimp
As if I was your fucking whore
All the young graves filled
Don't the best all burn out
So bright and so fast?
Full body high
I'm never coming down
Luiza Perin
I don't ever want to talk that way again
I don't want to know people like that anymore
As if there was an obligation
As if I owed you something
Black me out
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to chop those brass rings off
Your fat fucking fingers
As if you were a king-maker
As if, as if, as if
Black me out
I don't want to see the world that way anymore
I don't want to feel that weak and insecure
As if you were my fucking pimp
As I was your fucking whore
Black me out
I want to piss on the walls of your house
I want to chop those brass rings off
Your fat fucking fingers
As if you were a king-maker
As if, as if, as if Black me out
All the young graves filled
Don't the best all burn out
So bright and so fast?
Full body high
I'm never coming down
Black me out
Ken Cooney
I saw them perform this entire album played in order. The entire set was very emotional; happy tears, sad tears, and everything in between. When this song kicked in, everyone sung(screamed) the lyrics at the top of their lungs. It was very cathartic!
Welfare Kid
This is the only good song on the whole album.
Lain
@Welfare Kid Don't listen to this artist's music if you don't support trans rights.
Glitched Snake
The absolute euphoric feelings of liberation in this song never don't give me chills and a rush of adrenaline.
nico
I'm a trans guy but this makes me feel like it's ok to be my fucking self I fucking love you laura
Churgus Wurgus
it IS ok to be your fucking self and I hope more people than me have told you that.
Harlan Carroll
listening 2 this. currently driving past the place i was raped when i was 16 for the first time in years. thanks to against me! for making such empowering bops.
Samuel Smith
Hey I know it’s been a year since you posted this, but I hope you’re doing okay now. I hope you’re healing okay
The Shoes
Who says this? “Just driving by the house I was raped in”? I am seriously hoping this isn’t real 🤦🏻♂️
bee
@The Shoes one time when I was 10 years old my grandmother was giving us a tour of her hometown and she said "oh, and that's the barn where my friends dad raped me" like it was nothing. people handle shit in different ways