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.
Won't Somebody
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Little packets of darkness wanting to glow
Well there's nobody home and there's a wreck in the yard
Well maybe they're coming back
If we wish really hard
If we wish real hard now
'cuz Jesus just don't seem to be impartially working
And all of the rest are really down in the ratings
So everyone is gonna keep on waiting
Waiting for peace at the end of the street
Back behind our apartment and in passenger seats
Just a moment of bliss amid all of the waste
The despair and oblivion of our precarious race
It's ours to face now
Won't somebody please come up with something
'cuz Jesus just don't seem to be impartially working
And all of the rest are really down in the ratings
So everyone is gonna keep on waiting
Now I know nothing lasts forever
So we might as well wish for a goddam fix of this toxic changing weather
Now tell me won't somebody come up with something
'cuz Jesus just don't seem to be impartially working
And all of the others can barely stay in the running
But everyone is still right here waiting
Won't somebody please come up with something
Won't somebody please come up with something
Won't somebody please
The lyrics of Bad Religion's "Won't Somebody" are a plea for help and for something to change in the world. The opening lines set a cold and dark atmosphere, with the comparison of the subject to a bundle of coal that wants to glow. The metaphor suggests that people are waiting for something to ignite their potential and bring them out of the darkness.
The second verse describes the feeling of loneliness and abandonment, with a wreck in the yard and nobody home. The singer wishes for someone to come back, but acknowledges that the possibility is slim. The chorus repeats the plea for someone to come up with a solution, noting that even Jesus seems to be failing at bringing peace and unity to the world. The lines "And all of the rest are really down in the ratings / So everyone is gonna keep on waiting" imply that people are losing faith in those in power, but are still hoping for change.
The third verse acknowledges the fleeting nature of life and the urgency for something to be done. The line "So we might as well wish for a goddam fix of this toxic changing weather" suggests that the world is in a state of disarray and something needs to be done to fix it. The final chorus repeats the plea for someone to come up with a solution, emphasizing the desperation and sense of urgency.
Overall, the lyrics of "Won't Somebody" are a call for action and a plea for something to change in the world. The song recognizes the darkness and despair that many people feel, but also suggests that there is still hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Out in the cold like a bundle of coal
Feeling alone and ignored, like an unused resource waiting to be ignited
Little packets of darkness wanting to glow
People who are struggling to find light in their lives and need help to shine
Well there's nobody home and there's a wreck in the yard
Feeling abandoned and alone, surrounded by chaos and destruction
Well maybe they're coming back
Holding onto hope that things will get better and help will arrive
If we wish really hard
Believing that positive thinking and hope can manifest change
Won't somebody please come up with something
A plea for someone to offer a solution or help in a hopeless situation
'cuz Jesus just don't seem to be impartially working
Expressing frustration with religion's inability to address real-world issues
And all of the rest are really down in the ratings
Feeling despair and disappointment with all options and leaders available
So everyone is gonna keep on waiting
Feeling stuck and helpless, waiting for change to come from outside sources
Waiting for peace at the end of the street
Longing for a peaceful resolution to problems of the neighborhood or world
Back behind our apartment and in passenger seats
Feeling powerless in one's own life and in the wider world, often as a passive observer
Just a moment of bliss amid all of the waste
Desiring a moment of happiness and joy in the midst of struggles and problems
The despair and oblivion of our precarious race
Feeling hopeless and distressed about the state and future of humanity
It's ours to face now
Realizing that we need to confront and address problems ourselves, as there is no outside help
Now I know nothing lasts forever
Recognizing the fleeting nature of things and the need for change
So we might as well wish for a goddam fix of this toxic changing weather
Acknowledging the harshness and negativity of the world while hoping for a positive, transformative change
And all of the others can barely stay in the running
Feeling disillusioned with all political, social, and religious leaders and options
But everyone is still right here waiting
Despite despair and uncertainty, people still hold onto hope and wait for positive change to come
Won't somebody please come up with something
The repeated plea for help, solutions, and positive change
Won't somebody please come up with something
Won't somebody please
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
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….