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)
Swing Life Away
Rise Against Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand until you hold my hand
Until you hold my hand
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
Swing life away
The lyrics of Swing Life Away by Rise Against are about the beauty of simplicity, love, and friendship. The song tells the story of two people who are uncertain about where their relationship stands. They wonder if they are still connected or if they are growing apart. The first verse asks the questions, “Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up? Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck? Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?” The uncertainty and fear of losing each other are common feelings in any relationship.
The second verse talks about the joys of companionship and the importance of making memories with people we care about. The lyrics say, “I've got some friends, some that I hardly know, but we’ve had some times, I wouldn’t trade for the world. We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go.” The chorus reinforces the message of the importance of love, friendship, and enjoying the simple things in life. The lines “We live on front porches and swing life away, we get by just fine here on minimum wage” highlights the idea that happiness and contentment have little to do with material possessions or money.
Overall, Swing Life Away is a reflective and emotional song that explores the themes of love, uncertainty, and friendship. It is a touching tribute to the beauty of human connection and the value of simple pleasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?
Am I communicating clearly to you, or am I struggling to get my message across?
Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?
Do you still find me charming, or do you consider me unlucky?
Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?
Are we making progress towards each other, or are we drifting further apart?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
If you reveal something personal to me, I'll reciprocate with something equally intimate
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's share our hardships and see whose experiences have been more difficult
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
Let's abandon our preconceived notions and make our own story
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We enjoy the simple pleasures of life, spending time on our front porches
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
We are content with living modestly and don't require much to be satisfied
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
If loving you requires effort and work, I'll continue to endure till the very end
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I feel more confident and safe when you are with me, so I won't venture out without your support
I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move
I've stayed here for a significant amount of time, and I believe it's time to relocate
The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon
The winters are unforgiving, and summers pass too quickly
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
Let's pack our belongings and find a place with a warmer, more hospitable climate
I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
I have a few acquaintances that I've never really developed a strong bond with
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
Despite our lack of closeness, I still cherish the memories we've shared together
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go
We talk about the future and the adventures we hope to have
Swing life away
Let go and enjoy the simple pleasures of life without worrying about the future or the past
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSEPH PRINCIPE, TIMOTHY MCILRATH, BRANDON BARNES, CHRISTOPHER CHASSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josemedina9935
"Swing Life Away"
Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand....until you hold my hand
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away [x4]
@gwiazdka554
2024 🎉 my boyfriend showed me this song when I was 17. Now I am 29, I am still listening it and still with the same guy! ❤
@jlotus100
Right here with you
@JulietTrujillo-jb9bi
Saaame
@tigersport8636
Time goes by incredibly fast
@samanthamahan2943
Husband and I used this song for our wedding dance in 2014 😊
@jamesgleeson7588
My wedding dance song. Married 10 years now. Together 20.
@Lattice
I've listened to this for 14-15 years and despite my musical tastes changing dramatically since then, it's still one of my favorite songs
@TheCivildecay
Same i'm 41 year old and mostly stopped listening to the bands I used to love when I was young, but this band good forever
@murrayhastie8131
The line "if love is a labour I'll slave to the end" summed up my grandmother so much I borrowed it to use in her eulogy and I've included it in my tribute tattoo for her
@NerdForWords
This song depressed me in the most delightful ways as a lad, and continue to do so today. I remember the first time I heard this song as a young feller', and the lyrics just...struck me. There was something there, something that made me want to take a deeper listen. The moment I got home, I hopped online, looked up the lyrics, and proceeded to listen to it again, and again, and again. I consumed it; consumed every single word, internalized his every point of emphasis and inflection.
This song was life altering, and, even to my young mind, provided so much perspective as to what was the important in life. These simple, yet deep sentiments were ingrained in m fifteen year old mind from that moment forward.
I'm thirty now, and to this very day, this song resonates me. Especially with the amount of loss in my life, now, more than ever, this song rings its truest to me. I can't thank this band enough for all the years of great music, and all the grueling times they've gotten me through. They'll always be one of my favorite bands.
I don't normally go on these long rants in the comments, and if anyone's taken the time to read this, my sincerest apologies, and at the same time, my deepest thanks haha...I've had some rather unfortunate news today, so forgive my reflective, 2 AM rambling in the comments section. Hope the lot of you are having a much better year, and if you're not, just remember: You're not alone, and, eventually, things will get better, so just hang in there.
Stay Nerdy, friends.