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.
Do What You Want
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Idleness and dissipation breed apathy
I sit on my ass all goddamn day
A misanthropic anthropoid with nothing to
Say what you must, do all you can
Break all the fucking rules and
Go to Hell with Superman and
Hey I don't know if the billions will survive
But I'll believe in God when 1 and 1 are 5
My moniker is man and I'm rotten to the core
I'll tear down the building just to pass through the door
So do what you must, do all you can
Break all the fucking rules and
Go to Hell with Superman and
Die like a champion, yeah hey!
The song "Do What You Want" by Bad Religion is a critique of the societal belief in individuality and personal freedom. The lyrics caution against the notion of doing whatever one pleases, as it breeds apathy and chaos. The opening line, "Hey do what you want, but don't do it around me," sets the tone for the rest of the song. It acknowledges that everyone has the right to live their life and make their own decisions, but it demands that people should take responsibility for their actions and not harm others in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey do what you want, but don't do it around me
I don't care what you do, as long as it doesn't affect me.
Idleness and dissipation breed apathy
Being lazy and indulging in destructive behavior can cause a lack of interest or concern for important matters.
I sit on my ass all goddamn day
I am wasting away my life doing nothing productive.
A misanthropic anthropoid with nothing to
I have become a solitary and antisocial creature with no clear direction or purpose.
Say what you must, do all you can
Speak your mind and do everything in your power to achieve your goals.
Break all the fucking rules and
Disregard societal norms and expectations.
Go to Hell with Superman and
Pursue your desires, even if it leads to destruction.
Die like a champion, yeah hey
Live your life to the fullest and go out with a bang.
Hey I don't know if the billions will survive
I am uncertain about humanity's future.
But I'll believe in God when 1 and 1 are 5
I will only believe in things that are logical and make sense.
My moniker is man and I'm rotten to the core
I am just a human being and I am deeply flawed.
I'll tear down the building just to pass through the door
I am willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want.
So do what you must, do all you can
Live your life without regrets.
Break all the fucking rules and
Don't let anything hold you back.
Go to Hell with Superman and
Defy expectations and be your own hero.
Die like a champion, yeah hey!
Live with passion and die with dignity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zaskaaa zas
Hey, do what you want.
Do what you will.
Live life with heart.
And never be still.
Don't let the world.
Hold you down.
You are the master.
Of your own fate.
So stand up tall.
And don't hesitate.
Take a chance.
Make a move.
You've got the power.
You've got the groove.
YEAH, HEY !!
I heard a song that spoke to me.
It made me feel alive and free.
It told me to do what I want.
And live my life with no front.
So listen to the words of Bad Religion.
Spread rage and positivity with your own decision.
Hey, do what you want.
Do what you will.
Live life with heart.
And never be still.
Don't let the world.
Hold you down.
You are the master.
Of your own fate.
So stand up tall.
And don't hesitate.
Take a chance.
Make a move.
You've got the power.
You've got the groove.
YEAH, HEY !!
I used to worry 'bout what they'd say.
But now I just live for today.
I don't need their approval or praise.
I'm living my life in my own amazing ways.
So listen to the words of Bad Religion.
Spread rage and positivity with your own decision.
Soji Cup
Hey, do what you want, but don't do it around me
Idleness and dissipation breed apathy
I sit on my ass all goddamn day
A misanthropic anthropoid with nothing to
Say what you must, do all you can
Break all the fucking rules and
Go to hell with Superman and
Die like a champion, yeah hey!
Hey, I don't know if the billions will survive
But I'll believe in God when one and one are five
My moniker is man and I'm rotten to the core
I'll tear down the building just to pass through the door
So do what you must, do all you can
Break all the fucking rules and
Go to hell with Superman and
Die like a champion, yeah hey!
John Smith
1988.....still sounds fresh after all these years. One of the most influential punk albums of all time.
Ron G
An absolute anthem
Mitch
You said that 9 years ago and nothing's changed. Still fresh.
thegoodrevtim
"i dont know if the billions will survive but ill believe in god when 1 and 1 are 5" is one of my favorite punk song lines ever.
Big Ball Comedy
Thanks to the new school systems it’s pretty close to coming true these days 😅😂🤣
桃太郎☆
最高だよ
marta tesouro
en inglés es solamente 1 + 1 entrecomillado
The Evil Bassist
25 years later and this is still the best album out there!
Rock-it-ology by Rirou the Moonchild
hell yeah, best bad religion album
Justin P
Punk is where you can listen to a 20 song album in 19 minutes.