Current members:
Nathan Gray - lead vocals (1994–present)
Josh Latshaw - guitar (1994–present)
Chad Istvan - guitar (1994–present)
Rob Ehrenbrand - bass (2004–2011, 2013–present)
Chris Rakus - bass (2013–present)
Jared Shavelson - drums (2013–present)
Former members:
Darrell Hyde - bass guitar (1994–1999)
Rob Avery - bass guitar (1999–2004)
Marc Krupanski - bass guitar (2011–2013)
Matt Krupanski - drums (1994–2013)
Dan Pelic - drums (2013)
Lee Dickerson - lead guitar (2013)
Release The Dogs
BoySetsFire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prayers answered for the ruling classes, and we swallowed them whole
Heads down and hands up our need for safety has been hijacked again
They've got their fingers on the pulse of our mourning with knives poised
Decide- right now -which side you're on, invest our freedom in failure by design
Hands tied with pleasure now we're choking on their cum
Guided deception allegiance to a goal
That never mattered until they told us so
On home turf between control and our free will lines are drawn
Release the dogs, they've picked up the scent, moving in for the kill
Unchained and hungry teeth ready to feast
Release the dogs
"Release the Dogs" is a powerful protest song by American post hardcore band, BoySetsFire. The song addresses the hypocrisy of the ruling classes and the manipulation of society by the media, government and corporations. The opening lines, "In a moment of weakness they've gone for the throat, prayers answered for the ruling classes, and we swallowed them whole" portrays the idea that those in power have taken advantage of the weakness of society and manipulated them to serve their own interests. The reference to "swallowing them whole" states how easily society is ready to consume and accept the narrative put forth by the power holders.
The chorus of the song urges listeners to pick a side, either in support of the oppressive and controlling forces, or to embrace a commitment to rebel against them. The lines, "Release the dogs, they've picked up the scent, moving in for the kill, unchained and hungry teeth ready to feast" speak of a need to take action and initiate change in order to break free of the shackles of oppression. The metaphorical "dogs" represent the common people, those who are unchained, hungry and ready to fight for their freedom. The line, "Blowback has blown back into our face and ignited a war" refers to the consequences of the actions of the ruling elite which have now arisen as a war against them.
Overall, "Release the Dogs" is a call to arms and serves as an anthem for anyone seeking to rise up against oppression and fight for freedom. The song is a politically charged and powerful expression of frustration and anger towards those in power and those manipulating society. The lyrics are delivered with conviction and urgency and creates a feeling of empowerment and motivation for the listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
In a moment of weakness they've gone for the throat
In a time of vulnerability, those in power have taken advantage of us
Prayers answered for the ruling classes, and we swallowed them whole
The wealthy and powerful have been granted their wishes and we have blindly followed them
Heads down and hands up our need for safety has been hijacked again
Despite our compliance and submission, our desire for security has been manipulated and stolen from us once more
They've got their fingers on the pulse of our mourning with knives poised
Those in control are exploiting our grief and pain, ready to strike us down at any moment
Decide- right now -which side you're on, invest our freedom in failure by design
We must make a choice now about whose side we are on, while the powers that be continue to deliberately sabotage and compromise our liberty
Hands tied with pleasure now we're choking on their cum
We have willingly restrained ourselves, only to be smothered by the self-fulfilling pleasures of the ruling class
Guided deception allegiance to a goal
We have been led to believe in false ideals and loyalties, steering us towards an ominous objective
That never mattered until they told us so
We were never concerned with these issues until those in power instructed us to be
Blowback has blown back into our face and ignited a war
The retaliation we have received for obeying the ruling class has sparked a conflict that affects us all
On home turf between control and our free will lines are drawn
The battleground for our battle against enslavement to the rich lies on our own soil
Release the dogs, they've picked up the scent, moving in for the kill
The oppressed have found their power and are closing in on their oppressors
Unchained and hungry teeth ready to feast
Those who have been held captive to the ruling class are now free and ferocious
Release the dogs
Let the revolution begin
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOSHUA LATSHAW, MATTHEW KRUPANSKI, CHARLES ISTVAN, NATHAN GRAY, ROBERT AVERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KevCanTry
Their best album imo. Lyrically brilliant! Political masterpiece!
Insanity On A Bun
Man I remember listening to this song so much my freshman year in high school. I hadn't ever thought of the lyrics and copied them into a word document to paste into my lyrics on my iPod nano and my mom found them and was like "what's this government war poem?" Haha
JarnBjorn72
Great great song!
DOOM667
im glad to have seen BSF live once.
alucard585
amazing how many people are taken back to high school by this. Everyone was trying to get on street teams, but this was the best thing that ever reached my hands.
CJHProductions
your comment is so fucking true.....so true.
7 Screaming Dizbusters
Man even i was in high school baack then...I still remember those good summer memories of 2003 :D My taste in music has changed a lot though since the last decade
Risespunk
This reminds me of HS tooo!!!! Awesome times....seriously awesome times! =')
Johnny Amok
This and "State of the Union" by Rise Against are TOTAL badass songs.
Hreodrich
No kidding. This song is my highschool soundtrack.