The band spent its first four years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which they released two studio albums, The Unraveling (2001) and Revolutions per Minute (2003). Both the albums were met with underground success, and in 2003 the band signed with the major label Dreamworks, which was absorbed by Geffen. Rise Against's major label debut Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004) brought the band mainstream success, largely in part to the popularity of the singles "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away". The band's next album, The Sufferer & the Witness (2006), peaked at number ten on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and was Rise Against's first album to chart in countries outside of North America.
With the release of Appeal to Reason (2008), Rise Against's music shifted toward a more accessible and radio-friendly sound, with greater emphasis on production value. The album's third single, "Savior", broke the record for the most consecutive weeks spent on both the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts. Rise Against's popularity grew with the release of Endgame (2011), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200, and charted highly worldwide. The band's seventh and eighth albums, The Black Market (2014) and Wolves (2017) continued the trend of commercial success, and both peaked with the top ten on the Billboard 200. Their ninth and most recent album, Nowhere Generation, was released in 2021.
Rise Against is also known for their advocacy of progressivism, supporting organizations such as Amnesty International and the It Gets Better Project. The band actively promotes animal rights and most of the members are straight edge, PETA supporters and vegetarians.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_Against
Studio albums
The Unraveling (2001)
Revolutions per Minute (2003)
Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)
The Sufferer & the Witness (2006)
Appeal to Reason (2008)
Endgame (2011)
The Black Market (2014)
Wolves (2017)
Nowhere Generation (2021)
Blood Red White and Blue
Rise Against Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So come on intoxicate me
With hands tied behind my back, I fight
And wait for you to strike
A new problem we can't stop them,
We're outnumbered and uncautioned,
A rally cry ring out into the night
So pride yourself on what you are,
And hold them all to words they can't take back,
I've seen a place (it comes) to me in dreams
Where fires die but light still shines for us to see
What did you have to say?
Give me your logic, your definition,
The words you twist to justify your position
Of mass starvation and blind air strikes,
Every problem is solved with a fight
Peace won't be found,
Til we're underground,
As long as we live without a sound
So pride yourself on what you are,
And hold them all to words they can't take back,
I've seen a place (it comes) to me in dreams
Where fires die but light still shines for us to see
Would God bless a murder of the innocents?
Would God bless a war based on pride?
Would God bless a money-hungry government? No.
Would God bless our ineffective court system?
God bless the sweatshops we run.
Would God bless Amerika?
God bless Amerika.
In "Blood-Red White & Blue" by Rise Against, the singer is calling for a revolution. He is aware of the oppression, corruption, and injustice around him and encourages people to rise up against it. Even though the opposition seems invincible, the singer remains unbroken and prepared to fight back with his hands tied behind his back. He is certain that a solution to the problems is within reach, but it requires everyone to act as one.
The lyrics address multiple issues, including war, poverty, and the abuse of power by the government. The singer doesn't back down from calling out these problems and asking questions about the morality behind them. He questions whether God would bless murder, war, and government policies that hurt people. He also highlights the problems in America's court system and the exploitation of workers in sweatshops.
The lyrics to "Blood-Red White & Blue" are a call to arms for listeners to reflect on the state of their own society and the need to take action for change. The song reminds us that change cannot occur without collective action to fight against oppression, injustice, and corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
So come test me, so come break me,
I challenge you to try to bring me down and break me, I welcome your attempt to challenge me.
So come on intoxicate me
Bring it on, I'm ready for anything you can throw my way.
With hands tied behind my back, I fight
Despite being restrained, I am still fighting for what I believe in.
And wait for you to strike
I am prepared for your attack and am waiting for you to make your move.
A new problem we can't stop them,
We are facing a new challenge that we cannot overcome or solve.
We're outnumbered and uncautioned,
We are at a disadvantage and unprepared for what is coming our way.
A rally cry ring out into the night
We are calling for support and encouragement, hoping to be heard and lifted up during these difficult times.
So pride yourself on what you are,
Be proud of who you are and what you stand for.
And hold them all to words they can't take back,
Make sure that others are held accountable for their words and actions, and cannot take them back or deny them later.
I've seen a place (it comes) to me in dreams
I have a vision in my dreams of a better place, a place of hope and peace.
Where fires die but light still shines for us to see
Despite the destruction and chaos, there is still hope and light shining through the darkness.
What did you have to say?
What argument or justification do you have for your beliefs and actions?
Give me your logic, your definition,
Provide me with your reasoning, your explanation for your stance on this issue.
The words you twist to justify your position
The language and phrases you manipulate in order to make your argument seem more convincing or logical.
Of mass starvation and blind air strikes,
The devastating consequences of famine and violent attacks that result in widespread suffering and loss of life.
Every problem is solved with a fight
The inclination to solve problems through violence and conflict instead of peaceful, diplomatic means.
Peace won't be found,
We will not achieve peace or resolution to conflicts without proactive effort and engagement.
Til we're underground,
Peace will only come when we are all dead and buried.
As long as we live without a sound
If we remain silent and complacent, we will never achieve peace or progress.
Would God bless a murder of the innocents?
Rhetorical question questioning the morality of harming innocent people.
Would God bless a war based on pride?
Rhetorical question questioning the morality of pride leading to war.
Would God bless a money-hungry government? No.
The artist believes that a government driven by financial gain would not receive God's blessing or approval.
Would God bless our ineffective court system?
Rhetorical question questioning the morality of a justice system that is ineffective and unfair to its citizens.
God bless the sweatshops we run.
Sarcastic remark pointing out the inhumanity and greed behind exploitative business practices.
Would God bless Amerika?
Rhetorical question questioning the morality of America's actions and values.
God bless Amerika.
Sarcastic remark implying that America's actions do not deserve God's blessings, despite the country's claims of being righteous.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BRANDON BARNES, JOSEPH PRINCIPE, TIMOTHY MCILRATH, TODD MOHNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind