Strike Anywhere is a melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. They fo… Read Full Bio ↴Strike Anywhere is a melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. They formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition. Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and socially conscious lyrics. They have released 4 full-length albums and are currently signed to Bridge Nine Records.

Strike Anywhere is a political band, with lyrics touching on such issues as police brutality, anarchism, anti-capitalism, women's rights, animal rights, and globalization. They have also contributed tracks to political benefit albums, such as a live version of "Sunset on 32nd" for 1157 Wheeler Avenue: A Memorial for Amadou Diallo and "To the World" for the Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 album. According to the liner notes for their album Change is a Sound, they support "the vegetarian lifestyle, the living wage movement, and the fight against corporate globalization".

Current Members:

* Thomas Barnett - Vocals
* Matt Smith - Guitar/Vocals
* Garth Petrie - Bass
* Eric Kane - Drums
* Mark Miller - Guitar/Vocals

Former:

* Matt Sherwood - Guitar/Vocals (1999-2007)

Failed State
Strike Anywhere Lyrics

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We get torn apart all our lives
Told that we're useless or gifted, loved or despised
Too many generations passed and passing and passing
But all their progress lost its meaning

We call it evolution, you call it a crime
But as we run from your culture, you're running out of time
Self immolation just to keep you warm tonight

How far could this world go to reject you?

We get torn apart all our lives
Told that we're useless or gifted, loved or despised
Too many generations passed and passing and passing
But all their progress lost its meaning

We call it evolution, you call it a crime
But as we run from your culture, you're running out of time
Self immolation just to keep you warm tonight
How far could this world go to reject you?

To reject you

I will not fall in line
I will not break in time
We can rebuild this
Beyond all our lives

I will not fall in line
I will not break in time

I will not fall in line
How far could this world go to reject you?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Failed State" by Strike Anywhere convey a sense of frustration and rebellion against the societal norms that pigeonhole people into predetermined categories based on their abilities, lovability, or despicability. The lines "We get torn apart all our lives/Told that we're useless or gifted, loved or despised" speak to the emotional toll that such labelling can have on individuals. The singer then notes how successive generations seem to have achieved progress but lost the true meaning of that progress. This could refer to the disillusionment that many feel when they see that despite technological advancements, systemic inequalities and social injustices still exist.

The chorus of the song is a defiant call-and-response that challenges the listener's perspective on what is considered progress. The singer declares that what we call evolution may be seen as a crime by others who are rendered invisible by the dominant culture. The lines, "But as we run from your culture, you're running out of time/Self-immolation just to keep you warm tonight" express the idea that those at the margins of society have to resort to extreme measures, perhaps even to their own detriment, to survive in a world that fails to recognize their worth.

The final lines of the song, "I will not fall in line/I will not break in time/We can rebuild this/Beyond all our lives", affirm the singer's determination to resist these societal forces and work towards a better world that recognizes and values all individuals equally.

Line by Line Meaning

We get torn apart all our lives
Throughout our existence, we experience separation and division.

Told that we're useless or gifted, loved or despised
We are constantly judged and labeled as being either worthless or talented, appreciated or rejected.

Too many generations passed and passing and passing
Several eras have come and gone, with more to come.

But all their progress lost its meaning
Despite their advancements, their accomplishments are now insignificant.

We call it evolution, you call it a crime
We view our progression as evolution, while others regard it as a negative occurrence.

But as we run from your culture, you're running out of time
As we distance ourselves from different norms, it becomes apparent that these beliefs will soon become irrelevant.

Self immolation just to keep you warm tonight
We sacrifice ourselves in order to appease your short-term comforts.

How far could this world go to reject you?
Up to what extent will the world push you away?

I will not fall in line
I refuse to conform to societal expectations.

I will not break in time
I will not succumb to the pressures that corrode me over time.

We can rebuild this
By collaborating together, we have the ability to restore our broken society.

Beyond all our lives
Together, we can create a future that transcends beyond our existence.

Contributed by Brayden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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