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)
Diáspora
Rise Against Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the morning will come soon
I'll tell you stories of a better time
In a place that we once knew
Before we packed our bags
And left all this behind us in the dust
We had a place that we could call home
Don't hold me up now
I can stand my own ground
I don't need your help now
You won't let me down, down, down!
Don't hold me up now
I can stand my own ground
I don't need your help now
You won't let me down, down, down, down!
We are the angry and the desperate
The hungry, and the cold
We are the ones who kept quiet
And always did what we were told
But we've been sweating while you slept so calm
In the safety of your home
We've been pulling out the nails that hold up
Everything you've known
Don't hold me up now
I can stand my own ground
I don't need your help now
You won't let me down, down, down!
Don't hold me up now
I can stand my own ground
I don't need your help now
You won't let me down, down, down!
So open your eyes child
Let's be on our way
Broken windows and ashes
Are guiding the way
Keep quiet no longer
We'll sing through the day
Of the lives that we've lost
And the lives we've reclaimed
Go!
Don't hold me up now
I can stand my own ground
I don't need your help now
You won't let me down, down, down!
Don't hold me up now
I can stand my own ground
I don't need your help now
You won't let me down, down, down!
Don't hold me up...
(I don't need your help, I'll stand my ground)
Don't hold me up...
(I don't need your help)
No! No! No! Don't hold me up...
(I don't need your help, I'll stand my ground)
Don't hold me up...
(I don't need your help, I'll stand my ground)
Don't let me down, down, down, down, down!
The lyrics of "Diaspora" by Rise Against reflect the feelings of anger, frustration, and rebellion, building up inside a group of people who have been left behind by society. The singer reminisces about a past when there was a place that they could call home and a life that no one could touch, but they were forced to leave it all behind. The singer addresses someone who may have tried to help them but now realizes that they do not need their help anymore; they can stand on their own ground. The chorus emphasizes this point as they declare that they won't be held up or let down. They are a resilient and determined group who have been working hard while others have been sleeping safely in their homes. They have been trying to pull out the nails that hold up everything that people have known and make them realize that they too can take a stand. "Diaspora" is an anthem of hope for those who have been forgotten or silenced, to rise above and reclaim their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Warm yourself by the fire, son
Take comfort and prepare yourself for what's to come
And the morning will come soon
This hardship will pass and a new day will come
I'll tell you stories of a better time
Recall the good times we've had and keep hope alive
In a place that we once knew
Reflect on a better place and time that we've left behind
Before we packed our bags
Before we left everything behind
And left all this behind us in the dust
Abandoned the past and moved into a new chapter
We had a place that we could call home
We had a sense of belonging and security
And a life no one could touch
A life that was ours and no one else's to have
We are the angry and the desperate
We are the ones who feel the most pain and urgency
The hungry, and the cold
The ones who are struggling to survive
We are the ones who kept quiet
The ones who have been silenced for too long
And always did what we were told
The ones who followed the rules and never spoke out
But we've been sweating while you slept so calm
While you were comfortable and at ease, we were fighting and struggling
In the safety of your home
In the place where you feel most secure and protected
We've been pulling out the nails that hold up
We've been dismantling the systems that keep you in power
Everything you've known
Everything that has kept you complacent and blind to our struggles
So open your eyes child
Wake up and see the reality of the world
Let's be on our way
Let's take action and make a change
Broken windows and ashes
The destruction and chaos of the current state
Are guiding the way
Are pushing us towards a new direction
Keep quiet no longer
Don't remain silent in the face of injustice
We'll sing through the day
We'll keep fighting and using our voice to make a difference
Of the lives that we've lost
Remembering those who have suffered and given their lives for change
And the lives we've reclaimed
Celebrating the victories and progress we have made
Don't hold me up...
I don't need you to support me anymore
(I don't need your help, I'll stand my ground)
I am strong enough to face this on my own
No! No! No! Don't hold me up...
I refuse to rely on you anymore
(I don't need your help, I'll stand my ground)
I can and will make a change without your assistance
Don't let me down, down, down, down, down!
Don't betray my trust or let me fall after I've taken a stand
Contributed by Adalyn H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.