Behind Closed Doors
Rise Against Lyrics


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Chairs thrown and tables toppled,
Hands armed with broken bottles,
Standing no chance to win but,
We're not runnin', we're not runnin'.

There's a point I think we're missin',
It's in the air we raise our fists in,
In the smiles we cast each other,
My sister, my brother.

About the time we gave up hope and
We never find these locks still open,
Stumbling on stones unturned,
The hurt we feel, we all have found.

The lines we've crossed in search of change, but all they see is treason

Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.

Bonfires burn like beacons,
Guiding the lost and weakened.
Flames dance on crashing waves,
Guiding ships who've gone a stray

Time out, let's stop and think this through,
We've all got better things to do,
A talk in circles run in place,
Answers inches from my face.

Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.

Black eyes, broken fingers,
Blood drips and I let it run down my lips and to my swollen gums
When hope is non-existent,
Our instincts all scream, "Run",
We never turn our backs or even bite our tongue.

Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.

Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive




(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.

Overall Meaning

The song "Behind Closed Doors" by Rise Against is a showcase of the band's talent in writing politically-charged lyrics that speak of inequality, corruption, and oppression. The first verses talk about a violent protest with a group that is heavily armed with broken bottles, standing firm and not running away despite the odds against them. The second verse tries to focus on the essential point being missed, which is the unity and bonds between members of the group, catered by the air they raise their fists in and the smiles they cast each other, even amidst the chaos.


The chorus talks about how they have no obligation to remain alive, yet they beg for mercy and continue to survive on broken backs. The refusal to be left behind closed doors, coupled with the imagery of bonfires guiding the lost and weakened, is meant to instill a sense of hope and determination to fight against what they believe is wrong in society. The bridge reminds us to pause, think things through and to seek better alternatives. But ultimately, the song takes a violent turn, with the description of black eyes, broken fingers and blood drips, displaying the endurance and perseverance of the protestor's undying spirit.


Line by Line Meaning

Chairs thrown and tables toppled,
Amid chaos and destruction, we are unable to find peace or resolution.


Hands armed with broken bottles,
In our desperation and anger, we will use whatever means necessary to fight back.


Standing no chance to win but,
Despite insurmountable odds, we refuse to back down or give up.


We're not runnin', we're not runnin'.
We will face our problems head-on and take responsibility for our actions.


There's a point I think we're missin',
We are overlooking something important that could help us find answers.


It's in the air we raise our fists in,
We express our frustration and demand change through nonverbal gestures.


In the smiles we cast each other,
We find hope and solidarity in the simple act of smiling at one another.


My sister, my brother.
We see each other as equals and share a common bond in our struggle.


About the time we gave up hope and
At a moment when we thought all was lost and there was no hope left.


We never find these locks still open,
We encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable and prevent us from finding solutions.


Stumbling on stones unturned,
We search for answers in unexplored places and encounter challenges along the way.


The hurt we feel, we all have found.
We share a common pain that motivates us to work together toward a better future.


The lines we've crossed in search of change, but all they see is treason
As we strive for a better society, those in power view our actions as disruptive and disloyal.


Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
We are not required to survive or continue living, but we choose to persevere despite the difficulties.


On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
We are at our lowest point and barely hanging on, but we will not give up or beg for mercy.


(Break out) I won't be left here
We will break free from our struggles and refuse to be held back or left behind.


Behind closed doors.
We are pushing for change and demanding accountability, even when it requires going against the status quo or disrupting the system.


Bonfires burn like beacons,
We create beacons of hope and unity amidst darkness and despair.


Guiding the lost and weakened.
We provide support and guidance for those who are struggling or marginalized.


Flames dance on crashing waves,
Our passion and energy cannot be contained, as demonstrated by the dynamic imagery of dancing flames on crashing waves.


Guiding ships who've gone a stray
We help others who have lost their way to find a path forward and regain their bearings.


Time out, let's stop and think this through,
We must take a step back and reflect on our situation to find a more effective strategy for change.


We've all got better things to do,
Our collective energy and resources could be better spent on more positive pursuits.


A talk in circles run in place,
Our discussions and actions feel repetitive and unproductive, as if we are not making any real progress.


Answers inches from my face.
Despite being close to the answers we seek, we are facing roadblocks preventing us from reaching them.


Black eyes, broken fingers,
We have been physically harmed and injured in our struggles for change and equality.


Blood drips and I let it run down my lips and to my swollen gums
We are willing to make sacrifices and endure the physical pain that comes with standing up for our beliefs.


When hope is non-existent,
At times, we feel as if there is no hope left and the future seems bleak.


Our instincts all scream, 'Run',
We feel a powerful urge to give up or flee from our struggles, but we refuse to succumb to that instinct.


We never turn our backs or even bite our tongue.
We will never retreat or remain silent in the face of injustice or oppression.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON BARNES, CHRISTOPHER CHASSE, JOSEPH PRINCIPE, TIMOTHY MCILRATH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@monalex0794

Lyrics:

Chairs thrown and tables toppled,
Hands armed with broken bottles,
Standing no chance to win but,
We're not runnin', we're not runnin'.
There's a point I think we're missin',
It's in the air we raise our fists in,
In the smiles we cast each other,
My sister, my brother.
About the time we gave up hope and
We never find these locks still open,
Stumbling on stones unturned,
The hurt we feel, we all have found.
The lines we've crossed in search of change, but all they see is treason
Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.
Bonfires burn like beacons,
Guiding the lost and weakened.
Flames dance on crashing waves,
Guiding ships who've gone a stray
Time out, let's stop and think this through,
We've all got better things to do,
A talk in circles run in place,
Answers inches from my face.
Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.
Black eyes, broken fingers,
Blood drips and I let it run down my lips and to my swollen gums
When hope is non-existent,
Our instincts all scream, "Run",
We never turn our backs or even bite our tongue.
Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.
Although we have no obligation, to stay alive
On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive
(Break out) I won't be left here
Behind closed doors.



All comments from YouTube:

@mucskadaniel2906

I'm leaving this comment here so that whenever someone likes it I'll come back and listen to this masterpiece

@44waxwings

I'm replying to this comment so that whenever someone likes it I can do the same.

@justasleepparalysisdemonwi8719

There you go chief

@justasleepparalysisdemonwi8719

@@44waxwingsyou too, get back in here

@thexplayerstream2793

🎸

@jaminshinkowski4477

Better pop those ear phones in then 😂

26 More Replies...

@angelencarnacioncastillo5876

this band is so good

@gurkenwambo4026

+angel rafael encarnacion no this song isnt good???? its amazing

@pedrosouza367

I'd still preffer Savior... But that one is awesome too

@Illeatpie237

Good Doesn't Describe Rise Against Amazing Does

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