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)
RISE
Bad Brains Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
any of the things
they taught you while you were at school
And did you ever question
oh my teacher
why do you take me for a fool?
Chorus:
Rise up, wake up and rise
When you're all alone
you'll search for love
but they'll have none
this is the seed that they have sewn
don't be afraid a better place has yet to come
and when they won't teach or reach or feed you
and all they do is leave you deceive you
be true to yourself
and save your mind
lesson for the young
so now let's fly away
into the light of a brand new sun
the time has come
Chorus
We'll meditate communicate, escalate
don't be late, we just can't wait
to liberate this human race
Go!
Chorus
Don't let them
don't let them take away your culture
Don't let them
Don't let them take away your future
Rise up, you got to rise
The lyrics of Bad Brains' song "Rise" are a call to action for listeners to question authority and to rise up against oppression. The first verse encourages listeners to question the teachings of their school and to challenge their teachers, asking, "And did you ever question / oh my teacher / why do you take me for a fool?" The chorus repeats the phrase "rise up," urging listeners to wake up and take action.
The second verse speaks to the isolation that individuals may feel when they search for love but are unable to find it. The lyrics suggest that this feeling of isolation is a result of societal conditioning, stating that "this is the seed that they have sewn." The verse continues by encouraging listeners to remain true to themselves and to "save [their] mind." The song ends with a call to action, urging listeners to not let their culture or their future be taken away and to rise up.
Overall, "Rise" is an inspiring and empowering song that encourages listeners to question authority, remain true to themselves, and take action against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever question
Have you ever challenged or doubted something that you were taught?
any of the things
Any of the things that they taught you
they taught you while you were at school
All the things that you were taught while attending school
And did you ever question
In addition, have you ever asked or inquired
oh my teacher
A direct address to the teacher
why do you take me for a fool?
Why do you assume that I am foolish or gullible?
Rise up, you got to rise
Increase or elevate yourself to become more powerful
Rise up, wake up and rise
Emerge from a state of unconsciousness and go higher or further
When you're all alone
In situations where you are by yourself
you'll search for love
You will have a desire to find love
but they'll have none
However, what you were seeking is not available from those surrounding you
this is the seed that they have sewn
This is the root cause of the situation that you are in
don't be afraid a better place has yet to come
Overcome your fear about the uncertain future because it can only get better
and when they won't teach or reach or feed you
When those who you rely on, refuse to give you information, access or sustenance
and all they do is leave you deceive you
And instead of their responsibilities they ignore you and make you feel wrong or 'off'
be true to yourself
Rather than try to conform to their standards, stick to your principles or true feelings about situations
and save your mind
Protect yourself and do not let them interfere with your mental well-being
lesson for the young
This is a message and a valuable knowledge for the younger generation
so now let's fly away
Having learned these lessons let's go away from this bad environment
into the light of a brand new sun
Towards a brighter and more hopeful future
the time has come
It is now the moment to take action and transform your life
We'll meditate communicate, escalate
We shall invest time to relax and talk to each other to enhance the situation
don't be late, we just can't wait
Attendance is vital and it will be great as we all really look forward to it
to liberate this human race
The goal of the gathering is to eliminate the societal problems affecting all people
Don't let them
Do not permit or allow them to have control over
take away your culture
Your heritage, tradition or way of life should not be eradicated or made extinct
Don't let them
For emphasis, again, do not allow or permit them
Don't let them take away your future
Do not let external factors take control of your future and its possibilities
Rise up, you got to rise
A repeat of the initial message, elevate or empower yourself
Contributed by Peyton C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@toddvandell85
Every die hard Bad Brains fan dislikes this because H.R. is NOT the singer, Israel Joseph I is.
Israel Joseph I kills the lead vocals here completely.
After I heard this I was like H.R. Who?
Blasphemy maybe but Israel just kills it here. What a beast on lead vocals.
And Mackie Jayson, former Cro-Mags drummer beats the snot out if his drums but never loses the beat once in the process either.
A coiled viper beast.
And I remember everyone kept saying the Grunge movement heralded the end of the guitar solo, and yet, Dr. Know just shredded the fuck out of a rather dangerous guitar solo on this track, speaking of beasts.
Blasphemy to the purists, maybe, but those of us who love music and love Bad Brains music love the fuck out of Rise.
This song was the biggest reason for that.
Even 25 years after its release in 1993, it still sounds like a monster in 2018.
This track never gets old.
Ever. Not for me anyway.
@madisonlaseter8969
Did you ever question
any of the things
they taught you while you were at school
And did you ever question
oh my teacher
why do you take me for a fool?
Rise up, you got to rise
Rise up, wake up and rise
When you're all alone
you'll search for love
but they'll have none
this is the seed that they have sewn
don't be afraid a better place has yet to come
and when they won't teach or reach or feed you
and all they do is leave you deceive you
be true to yourself
and save your mind
lesson for the young
so now let's fly away
into the light of a brand new sun
the time has come
Rise up, you got to rise
Rise up, wake up and rise
We'll meditate communicate, escalate
don't be late, we just can't wait
to liberate this human race
Go!
Rise up, you got to rise
Rise up, wake up and rise
Don't let them
don't let them take away your culture
Don't let them
Don't let them take away your future
Rise up, you got to rise
@yourmothersinbols
alta letra, levantateee!!!
Did you ever question
Any of the things
They taught you while you were at school
And did you ever question
Oh my teacher
Why do you take me for a fool?
Rise up, you got to rise
Rise up, wake up and rise
When you're all alone
You'll search for love
But they'll have none
This is the seed that they have sewn
Don't be afraid a better place has yet to come
And when they won't teach or reach or feed you
And all they do is leave you deceive you
Be true to yourself
And save your mind
Lesson for the young
So now let's fly away
Into the light of a brand new sun
The time has come
Rise up, you got to rise
Rise up, wake up and rise
We'll…
@zer0theher030
Gee, that's a solid funk metal from the 90's. Bad Brains were way too ahead of their time. So underrated band.
@prettygrllswagg
crazy how different this song is that from the sound of their self titled albumm
@tudormiller8898
Amazing band. There really should be a movie about Bad Brains. Such a huge influence on Rock music history. Watching from London UK.
@TaintedSaint79
No HR no brains
@velikanx3967
@TaintedSaint79 bad brains is bad brains, don't matter who's the lead singer they are still good
@KB-jh3rt
There is a documentary
https://youtu.be/OZIx9dRuH-g
@tylerdavis6203
@VeliKanX Bullshit.
@jennifermitchell1991
There is it is called Finding Joseph I
@pressyprice
I've had this song stuck in my head for over a year, today I am glad to say, I HAVE FOUND IT. The chorus is obviously doing its job lmao.
@rainbowslushy223
Why aren’t these guys more famous . I mean in the punk scene they are legends but they deserve more mainstream success