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.
Let It Burn
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look beyond the shadows
Focus on the skyline,
Read the silhouettes
Your deepest desires
Are a picture of tomorrow
All your darkest fears
Are just a vestige of regret
It seems like such a long way to go
As obstacles get bigger,
Prevailing winds blow stronger
And the fire continues to grow
Don't let shallow water limit your perception
Heed the new horizon,
Muster to it fast
The moments of your yesterdays
Are in the wake behind you
You can't assess the future
If you're living in the past
Keep it stoked!
If you are committed
To a life of understanding
Then there's no agenda
For vengeance in your life
Sharpen all your senses,
Face the opposition
You can overcome
With fortitude and mental might
The fire continues to grow,
In your soul
So be bold, let it grow
Don't let it die
Let it burn!
The Bad Religion song "Let It Burn" is an anthem about courage, perseverance, and hope. The lyrics offer a message of empowerment and encourage the listener to let go of their fears and pursue their desires. The first verse begins by urging the listener to look beyond the shadows and focus on the skyline, implying that by doing so, they will be able to see a clearer and brighter future. The lyrics go on to suggest that one's deepest desires are a vision of what the future could hold while the darkest fears are just a remnant of past disappointments. The chorus repeats the phrase "let it burn" several times, perhaps as a call to action or a reminder to stay committed to one's goals.
The second verse emphasizes the importance of facing obstacles head-on and not allowing them to limit one's perceptions or hold them back. The lyrics also suggest that dwelling on the past can hinder progress, and it's crucial to keep moving forward instead of dwelling in the past. The final verse implores the listener to sharpen their senses and face their opponents with fortitude and mental might, citing that it is possible to prevail with commitment and understanding.
Overall, "Let It Burn" is a motivational song that urges listeners to push forward despite adversity, stay focused on their goals, and maintain a hopeful outlook. Its lyrics offer a sense of resilience and encourage listeners not to give up on their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Let your mind wander,
Allow your thoughts to roam freely and without restraint
Look beyond the shadows
Focus on what lies beyond the surface level or what may be hidden
Focus on the skyline,
Direct your attention towards a distant and broad view
Read the silhouettes
Interpret the shapes or outlines of objects or ideas
Your deepest desires
The most powerful aspirations you hold within
Are a picture of tomorrow
They represent what may be possible in the future
All your darkest fears
The most frightening thoughts you possess
Are just a vestige of regret
They are a lingering reminder of things that cannot be undone or changed
And it's wo-oh oh oh
A chant meant to unify and empower
It seems like such a long way to go
The journey ahead may appear daunting and uncertain
As obstacles get bigger,
Challenges become more formidable
Prevailing winds blow stronger
Influences or forces beyond our control intensify
And the fire continues to grow
Despite adversity, the passion or drive to succeed persists
Don't let shallow water limit your perception
Do not let minor obstacles or distractions impede your vision or judgement
Heed the new horizon,
Take notice of new and promising opportunities or ideas
Muster to it fast
Quickly act upon the potential before it passes
The moments of your yesterdays
Past experiences, events or memories
Are in the wake behind you
They remain behind us as we progress forward
You can't assess the future
The future cannot be predicted or fully comprehended
If you're living in the past
If preoccupied with past mistakes or regrets, growth or success may be hindered
Keep it stoked!
Continue to fuel your passion, creativity and perseverance
If you are committed
If dedicated or fully invested
To a life of understanding
To a life of seeking knowledge or insight
Then there's no agenda
Then there is no ulterior motive or hidden intention
For vengeance in your life
For acts of retaliation or seeking revenge
Sharpen all your senses,
Strengthen all of your abilities to perceive and comprehend
Face the opposition
Confront and overcome obstacles or challenges
You can overcome
You have the ability to triumph over adversity
With fortitude and mental might
By harnessing strength and resilience of mind and character
The fire continues to grow,
The passion or pursuit of a goal remains strong and enduring
In your soul
Deep within your being
So be bold, let it grow
Be brave and let your passion continue to develop
Don't let it die
Do not allow your passion or drive to diminish or fade away
Let it burn!
Let your passion fuel and inspire you towards success and fulfillment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL LEWIS, CARLTON MAHONE, GERALD MCCRARY, TEDDY RILEY, JONATHAN H SMITH, KEITH D SWEAT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wow
on You
Everybody needs a slogan in their pocket or two
It never hurts to have a strategy you can go to
Sometimes I have no sense at all
As most flawed men are one to do
Just say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to
Your bad attitude
You can even get cerebral if you want to
Make a radical assessment that sticks like glue
Sometimes it takes no thought at all
The easiest thing to do
Is say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to
Your bad attitude
The reaction it brings, just one of those things
Your friends might not want you around
If the impulse is right you might get in a fight
Even though you can't hold your ground
But all rest assured, sometimes just a word
Is the most satisfying sound
Sometimes it makes no sense at all
The easiest thing to do
Is say fuck you
Pavlovian rude
A menace too
Pay homage to your bad attitude
Just say fuck you
What you gonna do to your attitude
Just say fuck you
Wtf is this shit, what retard wrote the wrong spng down….