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)
Stained Glass and Marble
Rise Against Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Empty the pockets of the innocent victim
Bound by fear
We misplace trust
In your voice
Inside these walls
Gaze upon these stare of naïveté
Two thousand years replaced
With eighteen inches of our faith
Bound by fear
We misplace trust
In your voice
Inside these walls
Convincing us we have no choice
And this reflection
On where the message lies
Stained glass and marble
Or somewhere deep inside
(Somewhere deep inside)
This message you will only find deep inside
To read these words
You keep looking down
But in the sky
This message is written in the clouds
The lyrics of Rise Against's song "Stained Glass and Marble" are a critique of organized religion, and how it can lead to blindness and unquestioning, misplaced trust. The lyrics suggest that people are being misled and controlled by religious leaders who convince them that they have no choice but to believe in their teachings. The opening lines "Come warm your hands on hellfire and brimstone, Empty the pockets of the innocent victim" paint a vivid picture of the way some religious leaders create fear in their followers to extract money and support. The following lines "Bound by fear, We misplace trust" emphasizes the idea that fear can lead to misplaced trust and ultimately, make one vulnerable to being controlled or manipulated.
The stanza "Gaze upon these stare of naïveté, Two thousand years replaced, With eighteen inches of our faith" suggests that contemporary religious messages may be different from those of the past, but they are still misguided and designed to further manipulate the unsuspecting. The message lies within one's own introspection, and it can't simply be found in the grandeur of stained-glass windows or marble ornaments. The closing lines "To read these words, You keep looking down, But in the sky, This message is written in the clouds" depicts the idea of looking beyond the immediate and superficial, and searching for the profound beneath the facade.
Line by Line Meaning
Come warm your hands on hellfire and brimstone
Encouragement to embrace evil, indulge in immoral activities, and damn oneself.
Empty the pockets of the innocent victim
Stealing or exploiting the resources of the innocent and helpless.
Bound by fear
Being hindered or trapped by fear.
We misplace trust
Putting trust in things or people that should not be trusted.
In your voice
Being influenced by the words and ideas of someone else.
Inside these walls
Within a confined or limited space, such as a church or institution.
Convincing us we have no choice
Manipulating and convincing people that they have no control over their lives.
Gaze upon these stare of naïveté
Looking at the innocence and gullibility of others.
Two thousand years replaced
The traditions and teachings of the past being replaced by modern ideas.
With eighteen inches of our faith
The deep-rooted beliefs and convictions that guide our actions and decisions.
And this reflection
Looking introspectively at one's own beliefs and values.
On where the message lies
Reflecting on where the truth and meaning behind the message can be found.
Stained glass and marble
The symbol of religiosity and spirituality, which can be artificial or superficial.
Or somewhere deep inside
The true meaning and essence of the message lies within oneself.
(Somewhere deep inside)
This message you will only find deep inside
The message of truth and meaning can only be discovered by introspection and deep personal reflection.
To read these words
To understand the message being conveyed.
You keep looking down
Continuing to rely on external sources for guidance and answers.
But in the sky
The message of truth and meaning can be found in nature and one's surroundings.
This message is written in the clouds
The message of truth and meaning is all around us, and can be found through personal reflection and looking at the world around us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRANDON BARNES, DAN WLEKLINSKI, JOSEPH PRINCIPE, TIMOTHY MCILRATH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind