Originally formed as a jazz fusion ensemble under the name Mind Power, Bad Brains developed a very fast and intense punk rock sound which came to be labeled "hardcore", and was often played faster and more emphatically than many of their peers. The unique factor of the band's music was the fact that they played more complex rhythms than other hardcore punk bands, also adapting diverse guitar styles into their songs.
Bad Brains have released nine studio albums (one of which is entirely composed of instrumental versions of their early material). The band broke up and reformed several times over the years, sometimes with different singers or drummers. Since 1994, the "classic" lineup of singer H.R. (Human Rights), guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson has reunited, albeit performing sporadically.
Discography:
• Bad Brains (1982)
• Rock for Light (1983)
• I Against I (1986)
• Quickness (1989)
• Rise (1993)
• God of Love (1995)
• I & I Survived (2002)
• Build a Nation (2007)
• Into the Future (2012)
• Mind Power (TBA)
Destroy Babylon
Bad Brains Lyrics
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The lyrics of Bad Brains' Destroy Babylon reflect the belief that society is controlled by a corrupt power structure, referred to as Babylon. The repetition of "don't beat yourself" implies that individuals may feel powerless in the face of this system, and that it is important to push past feelings of defeat in order to find a way out. The line "it's a natural plan, the natural" suggests that true liberation comes from a return to some kind of primal or natural order.
The lyrics then call for action, asking how long people will sit idly while their leaders are "buried in the ground." The rhyme of "organize, centralize" encourages collective action and solidarity, and the call to "fight for our lives" implies that this is a struggle for survival. The repetition of "destroy Babylon" drives home the message that the only way to escape this oppressive system is to tear it down entirely.
Overall, the lyrics to Destroy Babylon reflect a sense of frustration with the state of society and a call to action for individuals to take control of their own lives and work towards dismantling oppressive structures.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't beat yourself upside the head.
Stop blaming yourself for things that are beyond your control.
Don't beat yourself for this.
Stop blaming yourself for the mistakes of others.
Don't beat yourself upside the head, don't beat yourself for this.
Stop self-blame and focus on finding a solution.
Oh, there is a way out.
There is always a solution to the problems we face.
It's a natural plan, the natural.
The solution lies in following the natural order of things.
How many days do we sit around, while they keep on burying all our leaders in the ground.
We must not remain idle while those in power abuse their authority and harm our leaders.
Organize, centralize.
We must come together and work as one to fight against oppression and tyranny.
It's time for us to fight for our lives.
It is imperative that we take action to protect ourselves and our rights.
Destroy Babylon.
We must dismantle the corrupt systems and institutions that have brought us to this point.
Oh, there is a way.
Reinforcing the idea that we can overcome the difficulties we face.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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