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)
The First Drop
Rise Against Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only echoes respond
But I scream 'til my voice is gone
Crouching in corners and hiding your face
I'm sick and tired of playing your games
I'm not alone
I stand amongst the voiceless
Here arm-in-arm
We parade these streets
And sing our songs (and sing our songs)
We've had enough
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)
Unknowing, we lie and wait for the rain
To wash away what they have made
Face down in the dirt with your foot on my back
In the distance I hear thunder crack
C'mon stand up
This system of power and privilege is about to come to an end
Here come the clouds
The first drop is falling down (falling down)
We've had enough
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)
Our futures burn in red horizons
Ashes scattered in winds of change
Casualty numbers are rising
Now it's time to raise the stakes
We're meant for something more than living just to put food on our plates
I can't help but wonder why should we participate?
We've had enough
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)
"The First Drop" by Rise Against is an anthemic call to action against the injustices in society. The song deals with themes such as disillusionment, defiance, and unity against oppression. The lyrics describe a feeling of frustration towards a system that suppresses and silences people's voices. The first verse expresses a sense of loneliness and helplessness as the singer calls out to be heard but only hears echoes in response. However, the outro of the song brings a sense of unity as the singer stands amongst the voiceless and marches arm in arm with millions of people. These people are tired of the games the system plays and refuse to be restrained any longer.
The second verse talks about how people lie and wait for change to happen, hoping for a cleansing rain to wash away the oppression. However, they are faced with dirty and violent tactics used against them, with their foot on their backs, and a thundering sound in the distance. The pre-chorus and chorus repeat the phrase "we've had enough" as the anthem builds up to a climax. The bridge is a call to action to raise the stakes and fight for meaningful change, as the future burns in red horizons and casualty numbers rise. The final line questions the reasons why people should continue to participate in a society that does not value their worth, essentially calling for revolution.
Overall, "The First Drop" is a powerful and inspiring song that encourages people to unite and take action against a system that seeks to restrain and oppress them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm calling out
The singer is attempting to make their voice heard.
Only echoes respond
The singer's pleas are falling on deaf ears.
But I scream 'til my voice is gone
The singer is determined to continue speaking out despite the lack of response.
Crouching in corners and hiding your face
Those in power are attempting to evade responsibility for their actions.
I'm sick and tired of playing your games
The artist is fed up with being trivialized and ignored.
I'm not alone
Others share the singer's concerns.
I stand amongst the voiceless
The singer is advocating for those who have been silenced.
Millions in the unforgiving sun
Many are subjected to harsh circumstances and are not receiving proper treatment.
Here arm-in-arm
Solidarity is key to enacting change.
We parade these streets
The artist and their allies are making their presence known and their cause visible.
And sing our songs (and sing our songs)
The group is expressing their dissatisfaction through music.
We've had enough
The current situation is untenable and change is necessary.
Is there even anything left to explain? (We've had enough)
The situation is self-explanatory and requires no further elaboration.
Am I really someone you need to restrain? (We've had enough)
The singer is being unfairly held back from speaking their mind.
Can't you listen to what we have to say? (We've had enough)
The singer is frustrated at being continuously dismissed and ignored.
Unknowing, we lie and wait for the rain
There is a sense of anticipation in the air, though the outcome is uncertain.
To wash away what they have made
There is a hope that change will come.
Face down in the dirt with your foot on my back
Those in power are subjugating those without it through force and oppression.
In the distance I hear thunder crack
There are signs that a reckoning may be coming.
C'mon stand up
It is time for those who have been wronged to take action.
This system of power and privilege is about to come to an end
The current system of oppression is unsustainable and will soon collapse.
Here come the clouds
There is a sense of change in the air.
The first drop is falling down (falling down)
The first sign of change has arrived.
Our futures burn in red horizons
The artists fear that their prospects for the future are bleak.
Ashes scattered in winds of change
The old ways and systems are being destroyed to make way for the new.
Casualty numbers are rising
There are those who are suffering and dying as a result of the current systems and structures.
Now it's time to raise the stakes
The situation has reached a critical point and bold action is necessary.
We're meant for something more than living just to put food on our plates
The artist believes that life should have more meaning than just survival.
I can't help but wonder why should we participate?
The artist questions the value of participating in a system that does not benefit them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brandon Barnes, Christopher Chasse, Joseph Principe, Timothy Mcilrath
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind