Greg Graffin, the band's frontman, holds a Master's degree in geology from UCLA and a Ph.D. in zoology from Cornell University. His dissertation for Cornell was a comprehensive study of how modern scientists, especially those who believe in strict Darwinism, view theism and religion, and how their own religious beliefs, if any, affect their study and work. He has since published it for fans of the band.
In 1983, Bad Religion released into the unknown, a keyboard-driven psychedelic rock album that was enormously unpopular among the band's core fan base. It is now out of print, and generally disowned by the band. However, in past years it has become a collectors item, and has gained some acceptance from fans. It now can be seen going for more than $100 on eBay, and is often pirated.
In 1984, Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks) replaced Gurewitz. Bad Religion returned to a somewhat mellower, rock and roll version of their original sound with the back to the known, but they disbanded soon after.
The band reformed in 1987 and released suffer in 1988, cementing their comeback in the punk community. Not only is this album considered one of their best by most fans, but it is often credited with "saving" the Southern Californian punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion's contemporaries alike.
no control (1989) and against the grain (1990) further increased the band's popularity, followed by generator (1992). Before the recording sessions for the latter album commenced, drummer Pete Finestone left the band in to focus on his other band, The Fishermen. Bobby Schayer joined the band as his replacement. recipe for hate (1993) followed shortly thereafter.
With alternative rock breaking into the mainstream, Bad Religion left Epitaph for major label Atlantic and quickly re-released Recipe for Hate on the major label. 1994's stranger than fiction followed, but shortly after its release Brett Gurewitz left the band again. Officially, he cited the increasing amount of time he was spending at Epitaph's offices as the Offspring (then a part of the Epitaph roster) became one of the biggest bands of the mid-1990s. But it was well-known that the departure was not on good terms, as he later accused the band of selling out for leaving Epitaph in favor of a major label. Gurewitz recorded a song with his new band The Daredevils entitled "Hate You," reportedly directed towards Jay Bentley. Gurewitz, moreover, was struggling more seriously with heroin and other addictions that had plagued him for years.
Gurewitz was replaced by Brian Baker, former member of bands such as Minor Threat and Dag Nasty. Previously, Graffin and Gurewitz had split songwriting duties, but Gurewitz's departure left Graffin as the band's lone songwriter.
What followed were a series of moderately successful albums, the gray race (1996), no substance (1998), and the new america (2000). As their popularity waned, Bad Religion left Atlantic in 2001 and returned to Epitaph. Bobby Schayer left the band following a serious shoulder injury and was replaced by Brooks Wackerman (Suicidal Tendencies) and Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band in time to record the process of belief (2002). the empire strikes first was in June 2004. Both albums are widely regarded as a return to form for the band.
In 2004, the band released digitally-remastered versions of five of their early albums (How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, Suffer, No Control, Against the Grain, and Generator). The How Could Hell Be Any Worse? re-issue also contained all of their first EP, the Public Service EP (alternative versions of Bad Religion, Slaves and Drastic Actions from the self titled EP) and Back To The Known.
Bad Religion's fourtheenth full-length studio album, titled new maps of hell, was released on July 10, 2007. It debuted at #35 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 21,000 copies in its first week. It was originally intended to be released in 2006, but was pushed back largely due to the release of Graffin's second solo album, cold as the clay and his work at UCLA.
In 2010, Bad Religion released 30 Years Live for the band's 30th anniversary. The album was available for free to subscribers of the Bad Religion mailing list. Later the same year, Bad Religion released their fifteenth studio album, The Dissent of Man. The album took nearly two years to write and record, mainly due to the band's heavy touring schedule.
Brett Gurewitz, who still heads Epitaph Records, still records with the band and plays local shows, but doesn't tour with them. Greg Hetson can still be found at the occasional Circle Jerks show and helped open a bar in LA. Wackerman is working on a side project called The Kidneys. Graffin spends 10 weeks a year teaching two classes (Life Sciences 1 and Earth and Space Sciences 116) at UCLA. Jay Bentley keeps the Bad Religion MySpace page updated.
Angels We Have Heard on High
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
In excelsis Deo
In excelsis Deo
The lyrics to Bad Religion's cover of "Angels We Have Heard on High" are an adaptation of the original Christmas carol. The first verse describes the scene of angels singing joyously over the plains and the mountains echoing their song. This is a retelling of the Biblical story of the angels appearing to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. The angelic choir sings "Gloria in excelsis Deo," which translates to "Glory to God in the highest," a phrase that is commonly associated with the Christmas season.
In the second verse, the shepherds are addressed directly by the angelic choir, and they are asked why they have such joy in their hearts. The shepherds inquire about what the glad tidings are, which the angels reply to by repeating their earlier refrain of "Gloria in excelsis Deo." The third verse invites the listener to come to Bethlehem to see and adore the newborn king, Jesus Christ, whose birth the angels are celebrating.
Bad Religion's cover of "Angels We Have Heard on High" has a modern punk rock twist to it, but the lyrics remind us of the timeless story of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ that continues to be celebrated around the world today.
Line by Line Meaning
Angels we have on heard high
We can hear the angels in the sky
Sweetly singing ore the plains
They are singing softly over the fields
And the mountains in reply
The mountains are echoing their joyful sounds
Echoing their joyous strains
They are repeating the angels' happy melodies
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Glory to God in the highest
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Shepherds, why are you so happy?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Why are you continuing to sing so joyfully?
What the gladsome tidings be
What is the good news?
Which inspire your heavenly song?
What has inspired your celestial singing?
Come to Bethlehem and see
Come to Bethlehem and witness
Christ Whose birth the angels sing
The angels sing of Christ's birth
Come, adore on bended knee
Come and worship on your knees
Christ the Lord, the newborn King
Christ the Lord, the new ruler
In excelsis Deo
In the highest with God
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MACK DONALD III BROCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nikos Poulos
Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose…
Alfredo Rodriguez
That was awesome!!! Gonna go to church, and start a pit, on X-mas eve!!!!
Nikos Poulos
Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song?
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose…
Lee Modlin
This is my favorite Christmas song and outside of Andrea Bocelli, this may be the most powerful (and moving) version I've heard yet.
Swerdis
A real gem, this album. Compulsory programm, every christmas. It could have been longer, though (plus I don't understand why American Jesus is on it).
felsner1
So cool. The best song off that album.
pancito
Four christmas listening to this album, and i still laugh at all the layers of irony. Gloria in excelsis Deo!
André Miranda
God uses the most unlikely instruments to carry out His work of salvation. I've always loved Bad Religion for their music, especially the lyrics. But this album stroke me in a completely new way. When I first heard it, I felt I was facing something really big and true. This experience made me open my heart to the power and grace of God in my life. Today I can see that my life has a meaning. There's a reason for me to wake up every day, and this reason is Christ. Thank you, Bad Religion, for this gift. May it help lead many other souls to God, especially the band members. I will remember to pray for you always. May God bless you 🙏
Luiz Soares
Lovely song!!
Blinkettaro182
No, THIS is my fav of this album! :D
Michelle Norman
best christmas album of all time.