Reinventing Axl Rose
Against Me! Lyrics


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We want a band that plays
Loud and hard every night
That doesn't care how many people
Are counted at the door
That would travel one million miles
And ask for nothing more
Than a plate of food and a place to rest
They'd strike chords that cut like a knife
It would mean so much more
Than t-shirts or a ticket stub
They'd stop at nothing short of a massacre
Everyone would leave with the memory
That there was no place else in the world
And this was where they always belonged

We would dance like no one was watching
With one fist in the air
Our arena just basements
And bookstores across an underground America
With this fire we could light
Just gimme a scene where the music is free
And the beer is not the life of the party

There's no need to shit talk or impress
'Cause honesty and emotion
Are not looked down upon
And every promise that's made and bragged
Is meant if not kept
We'd do it all because we have to,
Not because we know why

Beyond a gender, race, and class,
We could find what really holds us back
Let's make everybody sing
That they are the beginning
And ending of everything




That we all are stronger than everything
They taught us that we should fear

Overall Meaning

In "Reinventing Axl Rose" by Against Me!, the song calls for a band that plays with a rebellious and fearless attitude, disregarding the amount of people at any given performance. The lyrics in the song focus on the nostalgia of a time when punk rock music was free, raw, and at its best. Against Me! is calling for a return to true punk rock music, where just having a plate of food and a place to rest after a tour is enough. They want a scene where honest emotions are embraced rather than shunned, and where the music is free from commercialism.


Line by Line Meaning

We want a band that plays
We desire a band that plays music


Loud and hard every night
The band should play music that is loud and hard every night


That doesn't care how many people
The band shouldn't be concerned with how many people are attending their shows


Are counted at the door
The band shouldn't consider how many people are paying for the show


That would travel one million miles
The band would be willing to travel very long distances


And ask for nothing more
They would only ask for minimal things such as a plate of food and a place to rest


Than a plate of food and a place to rest
Their needs are simple - only food and shelter


They'd strike chords that cut like a knife
The band's music would be emotive and powerful


It would mean so much more
The experience would be more meaningful


Than t-shirts or a ticket stub
It's not about merchandising


They'd stop at nothing short of a massacre
They would give everything they have up to and including a complete massacre of the concept of modern music


Everyone would leave with the memory
Everyone would leave remembering the experience


That there was no place else in the world
The concert would be so amazing that nothing else in the world could compare


And this was where they always belonged
The audience feels like they belong here, at this concert with this band


We would dance like no one was watching
The crowd would dance freely without feeling judged


With one fist in the air
The crowd would celebrate and pump their fists in the air


Our arena just basements
The band's performances would mostly take place in small venues like basements


And bookstores across an underground America
The band would play in underground bookstores throughout America


With this fire we could light
The crowd would ignite with passion for the music


Just gimme a scene where the music is free
The music should be accessible without commercial interests


And the beer is not the life of the party
The activity shouldn't be all about alcohol and intoxication


There's no need to shit talk or impress
Sincerity is preferred over showboating


'Cause honesty and emotion
Honest and emotional expression is valued


Are not looked down upon
These values are respected


And every promise that's made and bragged
Every declaration of intent and every boast is genuine


Is meant if not kept
They follow through on their commitments


We'd do it all because we have to,
They perform out of necessity


Not because we know why
Not because it's a logical decision


Beyond a gender, race, and class,
These identities wouldn't be important


We could find what really holds us back
They want to address the factors that inhibit us


Let's make everybody sing
The music should be inclusive and involve everyone


That they are the beginning
Everybody is an equal participant


And ending of everything
Everyone is responsible for everything


That we all are stronger than everything
Together, we are stronger than any obstacle


They taught us that we should fear
They aim to counteract fear that is imposed on us




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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Comments from YouTube:

Canadian Prepper

Perfect album

Haleigh Collins

In high school,


my boyfriend and I used to sing this entire album so drunk off of cheap vodka in water bottles. We would dance in dingy basements, basically just flailing our limbs and running into each other, jumping on couches and screaming our lungs out- just me and him while everyone would be upstairs hanging out. He died of an overdose the beginning of our freshman year of college, basically an abrupt end to all of my childhood, and this album still makes me feel the same things I did back then. I miss him/those feelings. Fuck. Thank you for the childhood memories Against Me.

Sweat James

+Haleigh Collins :(

7burnitdown

+Haleigh Collins Well that was a depressing story.

Haleigh Collins

it's a happy sad since it's been 7 years

Micah

+Haleigh Collins I'm a flailer too. I'M NOT COMING HOME TONIGGGGGGGGGGGGGHT!

roland Doherty

Sorry for your lose, but this album brings tons of ridiculous high school memories

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Brian Correr

I blast Pints of Guinness every time I think about my late friend Ross, he was Irish, suicide, don’t look away people, I did.

CandyOutsideDeadInside

A pint for Ross. 3 pints for you. Honor Ross. Remember to never let someone's death end your life.

Brent Cramer

Arguably the best album of that decade in punk. And one of the most influential albums ever cut.

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