First Time Hearing Bad Religion - “Sorrow” Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@wallypalmer6404]

My very first real concert, 1991, and Bad Religion was the headliner. Almost died in the mosh pit and loved every minute of it.

[@bassage13]

BR was my second concert, 1996 in high school. At the Austin Music Hall. My first was Pennywise at Emo's in Austin.

[@NinjaLill]

Greg Graffin who is the singer is a professor working at Cornell University in the departement of evelutionay biology with a PhD in zoology. So he is awesome.

[@charlesking880]

Sorrow is a Brett song.. not greg

[@ShaunHead-m3c]

Grew up in Ithaca! Saw them way back in the day! Check out a club called The Haunt. It was there for 32 years! So many cool bands played there! Bad Religion was one of the best!

[@25shinedown]

one of the best punk bands of all time, bad religion is a 90s staple for me as a kid in the 90s, absolutely nostalgic and always a great listen!

[@suemiller2522]

Hey, y'all - thanks for reacting to this. My favorite band and, no, definitely not Christian rock lol. Very critical of all religions and governments. Bad Religion is one of the punk bands that almost all modern punk bands stand on the shoulders of. They dropped their first album in 1982 and have been kicking ass ever since. Fat Mike of NOFX even wrote a song called "I'm a Huge Fan of Bad Religion" where he says, "I bought 'Suffer' then I bought a thesaurus" lol - 'Suffer' being the 1988 Bad Religion album that is widely credited as changing the game and saving American punk with their bangin' tunes and fantastic harmonies. And their lyrics are some of the most intellectual you'll find in any genre; one of the two songwriters is a university professor :) ❤

[@ALLROY-qc4ti]

This.🙌

[@wantutosigh1117]

Great OP. 💯%

[@DarthPoyner]

Yeah, people singing about the evils of government and religion while always benefiting from government and religion. Nearly all the members of the band went to University. So they put themselves into the system so they can make money. Then coming out with communist leanings and now going so far left that they have gone insane. They have a few good songs, but mostly they are a trash band.

[@suemiller2522]

@@DarthPoyner You know what makes a ton of sense? Watching the video for a band you claim not to like and then complaining like a jackass in the comment section. Bravo.

[@ericyoungstrom5745]

YUP!

[@jessewilliams7158]

Bad religion is against organized religion, they have no problem with personal beliefs.

[@joakimlofberg8345]

This is about taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions. Not relying on some fictitious figure to which we can make excuses for our stupidity and cruelty. It ultimateley stating that when we do this there will be (needless) sorrow no more.

[@PoopscoopMcgoop204]

We are the only true messiah. Ourselves

[@adrie8779]

Can you explain if through regret we are forgiven?

[@TheNeonParadox]

To answer your question, no, Bad Religion isn't Christian rock. Lol. They're about the exact opposite. I would've started with "American Jesus" to get a feel for the band. It's a solid takedown of the American Evangelical Right without bashing religion itself.

[@henrikduende]

Hell no😂 Jay the bassist is an ex alcoholic, so is Brian Baker, ex guitarist Greg Hetson. Mr Brett was into cocain, crack and shit, Brain did for Minor Threat when he was Young sand that was straight edge.

[@idkhahahaha]

And yet funnily enough, this song either intentionally or unintentionally summarises the Christian worldview.

[@jonotwist]

@@sthubbins4038 I mean... You don't NEED to be high off your nuts to be punk. But I feel ya lol.

[@toddosterhout9866]

I’ll definitely say this he portrays that he could be talking to God or his earthly father. He definitely leaves it up to interpretation.

[@punkambassador848]

Actually it‘s fair to assume that they‘re a Christian rock band if you take the lyrics for what they are.

[@keyratcane66]

When asked in 2010 what the line "Or when the only true messiah rescues us from ourselves / It's easy to imagine" meant, Greg Graffin replied that it means that we are our own messiah and that the meaning of life comes from ourselves.

[@xicotencatlaguayo1595]

Bad Religion is my favorite band of all time. from the first day I heard it, it was in 1984 I was 8 years old, and the record was, How Could Hell Be Any Worse? and since then I have punk rock in my veins.

[@wantutosigh1117]

Great reaction. Bad Religion is basically the opposite of a Christian band. Haha But they are phenomenal and write amazing lyrics that can be interpreted in many ways.

[@Ryattt81]

One of my favorite tracks from one of my all time favorite bands. I love their milusic and everything they stand for.

[@jmarasco510]

Absolute best punk rock band of all time.

[@bruc3967]

Absolutamente

[@Gumby6583]

I concur.

[@charliemoss6379]

This is one of the most uplifting and positive songs ever

[@johnnysmink3661]

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands. For y'alls first time hearing it, I think you got the gist more than most do. I dig your insight and will be watching more of your videos. Thanks for making them!

[@castlefreak8122]

Bad Religion’s two main lyricists, Greg Graffin and Brett Gurewitz, are incredibly philosophical. They typically write lyrics that question many corrupt institutions (not just Christianity or Catholicism), and a lot of times they look to take down systems and debunk myths. They’re not anti-Christian, as some have stated, by nature, but they certainly are not Christian rock. They’re among the best in business at melodic political punk, and have been doing it since 1980. Coincidentally, I’ll be meeting Greg Graffin tomorrow at an event. Check out more of their stuff, they’re amazing and have a massive back catalogue. Also, the “prideful father and his son” could mean the sins of the father in some greater sense, but he’s literally speaking about George Bush senior being unable to get Saddam, and his son trying to make right and finish the job, bringing the US into a war based on lies and personal agenda.

[@ClownWorldSwitzerland]

too bad they have turned fullly into establishment shills

[@RareHarmony]

Bad Religion have been making songs since the 80s! This is just one of many great songs in their repertoire. Very good at harmonizing their vocals.

[@okscribbles9556]

Bad Religion is not a Christian band. They stand against organized religion or any idol worship (which is what Christianity has become). Being held accountable to yourself and upholding a moral code

[@metalmark1214]

They chose a good name, since their are so many in the world.

[@Steveaux88]

There would be no more sorrow if there were no kings or queens or no religion. Without these there would be no more sorrow!

[@cbandtheradio5610]

The song is about giving up religion, because if we were just good human beings there wouldn't be sorrow anymore.

[@borndead187]

Hands down, one of the best lyricists in punk rock ... I would love to see you two to react to "American jesus." I love the content. Keep it up.

[@jasonremy1627]

If you want some more Bad Religion, check out "We're Only Gonna Die For Our Own Arrogance". It starts kicking your ass on the first beat, and DOES. NOT. LET. UP. This band were the originators of the West Coast punk scene that later gave us Offspring and Green Day.

[@ALLROY-qc4ti]

Couldn't agree more. And I'm pretty sure GD was opening for BR on their tour and got huge midway through when Dookie took off.

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here...This song (Though upbeat)..makes me really feel sad..As the Iraqui war was of my generation.., Unfortunately.., We did lose a few from my graduating class..Sooo Sorrowful..May we honor them and all others who have served..

[@Hermit_hobby]

Love this band,hard to belive they have been going over 40 years. Some of their songs are lyrically fantastic

[@erykvonritzmann4741]

Oh yall did my favorite band!

[@stephencothran3702]

Dr. Greg Gaffin (Singer) is an evolutionary biologist, and an athiest saying "I've never believed in God, which technically makes me an atheist". He also states that, more often than not, the band prefers to use religion as a metaphor for anything that does not allow for an individual's freedom to think or express themselves as they choose.

[@dylanchapman5987]

My opinion is the song is about giving up on the old beliefs that have kept us separated as well as down

[@calypsogrove]

I've been listening to Bad Religion for a very long time. What I have taken from them is that they are against religion and politics, how they have controlled the people for so long. When we all work together without the interference of both religion and politics we can overcome. It's a reoccurring theme in the majority of their songs, also I want to add that this is one of the best bands I've ever seen perform live. Their studio recordings definitely reflect in their live shows, they are that talented. That is a very hard thing to find when you see a band live after you've been listening to them on recorded versions for so long and they nailed it every time I've seen them. They are worth more of an introspective look and I am very happy that you guys reviewed this and were introduced to this band. Their name has nothing to do with Christianity as far as being a Christian band.

[@brandonctibor558]

It's important to have sorrow before you deserve forgiveness

[@danielman4057]

Laughing so hard at Christian Rock.... Face palms but great introduction... Hope to hear more bad religion

[@cr3t1n]

Yall are missing the sarcasm of the lyrics. When all soldiers lay their weapons down, when kings and queens relinquish their crown. These are things that will never happen. So there will be Sorrow no more, meaning, there will always be Sorrow.

[@NinjaLill]

Greg is awesome and I would say that alll should read his book ”Anarchy Evolution. Faith, Science and Bad Religion in a World Without God”

[@NinjaLill]

How he did his thesis, and his PhD in the Amazons while being a punk god. A man of intelligence that is awesome.

[@NinjaLill]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZuWmpqIe7ujmaM

[@emmanueljames794]

That guitar sol hits different!!

[@domagojbatinic1526]

check out their songs "You" & "21st Century (Digital Boy)"

[@davidsalazar965]

Go back to the "suffer" album. You can't miss on that one! Have fun.

[@KT-zc8jx]

I see it simply as the strained relationship with his father. There is for sure a deeper meaning in this song. chose to see the simplicity in the lyrics and not hunt for the deeper meaning. Great band!!! I do enjoy your reactions and love the diversity in the music you review!! As an old fart I love that younger fuckers can listen to my generations music and dig it, even if your understanding of the meanings are off, but to each their own and take what you get out of it 😊

[@LuisSantos-fl1rl]

Nothing compares to Bad Religion, i never heard anything like that in my entire life.

[@pantsedjuniorhayseed4816]

i walked to high school with this song every morning for months

[@aWhimTested]

Yeah, they are not a religious band at all, but ironically have choir-like backing vocals all over their albums. Their lyrics are mostly about social issues/responsibility

[@staceypalmer4753]

Check out "Come Join Us" by Bad Religion!

[@raineramelung7380]

Hi.. Try,, die toten Hosen-mehr davon, live, Hals und Beinbruch"(this Band is international succesful..., Bad Religion was Support ing them on one Tour.. *See what the singer is doing at this gigg☠️)... Or enjoy other german stuff.. :"Slime-lieben müssen (must love)...

[@LongGone77]

Love that you're reacting to BR. Bad Religion are a punk rock band formed in 1980 when they were in their late teens. This song came out in 2002 so they were well into their mid/late 30s. Their lyrics are really critical of religion, so definitely not christian rock. that said, i disagree with a lot of people who say that they're anti-christian. I think they're just critical of authority in general. Pretty sure the bassist is Christian. They're all over the map in terms of belief/disbelief. The intro of "father can you hear me", i view those lines more or less from the point of view of someone else. Like an authority figure that's leading people to war, etc. Great band. Cool discussion between the two of you. definitely made me subscribe.

[@MrSquare]

yeah, they're just anti-authoritarian and anti-religion in general. they've said repeatedly that the name Bad Religion and the 'crossbuster' logo were primarily cause it got them a ton of punk rock edgy attention when they started out doing gigs, and that's pretty much the primary reason they have that name

[@larrymartinez667]

Thank you for doing Bad religion. Suffer and American Jesus are great songs

[@Patrick-w8k]

It's about the book of Job from the Bible actually. They've stated that that is what it's about

[@markb1114]

Great reaction. Not familiar with them but it was a good song.

[@ewok_soup]

“Is this Christian rock?” “I don’t know, I mean, it’s called bad religion “

[@tparmenter]

They are definitely not Christian Rock. It’s about relationships between a father and son. It’s also about The Iraqi war and the pride that led us there.

[@zachary9009]

Some of the best people you could ever meet don't believe in a God. I think it's because they put all of their stock in this life. They don't live for the afterlife. They don't use their "faith" as an excuse to be wicked. Thanks for the video.

[@dynofx1132]

Bad Religion teaches you how to be a good human being without the need for religion.

[@dynofx1132]

Let them eat war and/or American Jesus will add more context to their feelings on war.

[@ClownWorldSwitzerland]

they have no issue with the US Proxy war in Ukraine sadly

[@brandonctibor558]

He's saying no more sorrow

[@browntabproductions]

Not Christian Rock😅 At all. Punk Rock, disguised as Intellectual Rock The Band and Members have a loooong History in the LA Punk Rock scene.

[@Fendersatin]

I don’t think this song was meant to sound uplifting. It’s a very deep song. If you watch Greg Graffin sing it with his acoustic he has tears in his eyes.

[@EvanBlack72]

If you haven't already, listen to Bad Religion - American Jesus and it should remove all doubt of where they stay on organized nationalistic religion. They're roots are firmly in punk soil, and we all had very particular feelings about authority, be it religion or government.

[@violabeaumont3758]

Quite the opposite of Christian Rock. Its essentially saying that when we discard fables and religions as excuses and start handling things ourselves and taking our own responsibility that is when we will find betterment in our society.

[@silvarj5758]

I'm a Christian, would it be wrong for me to listen to this kind of music? I liked the lyrics but I see many comments saying that the band is not Christian.

[@Rfdwwe]

Not a religious band but this song is about religion. The book of Job. The first verse is God and the devil making a bet.

[@josephdevito868]

great f’n song, dont agree with your takes on it but think its cool u dug into it

[@_Goyle]

That song is off Process of Belief. Why’s it showing the album art for New Maps of Hell 😅

[@ivanohxc]

Bad Religion is to have your own religion, get your own way and think for yourself. Christian Rock? 😂 Yoy need to listen every lp from No Control to Stranger than fiction. It's fu*king poetry.

[@MathewLantz-w8j]

Greatest band of all time. Get deep react to more . These fuckers will make you think

[@ALLROY-qc4ti]

I interpret it as what needs to happen for there to be No more sorrow in this world. Check out "Hear it" and "Cease" by these guys sometime! Also these guys are atheists!

[@benchase5797]

Welcome to the land of real Punk.

[@chrisburns8562]

This song is about Job, and getting caught between God and Satan

[@jefflambert8825]

He’s right, though it is a song based on the book of Job. So in essence, it’s biblical, but they are certainly very knowledgeable atheists and the song is probably a bit tongue and cheek, also pointing out a little bit of a hypocrisy in the writing.

[@pticynoleg]

Виктор Цой, Виктор Цой, Виктор Цой

[@keylimekisses]

Not religious! Very much for the people or the underdogs in our world who just want the same slice of the pie that the higher ups get it goes way further into politics and humanitarianism. *Punk at it's finest*

[@markcastellanet9672]

Definitely not a Christian rock band. This song is about tearing down dominant structures and oppression is the only way to overcome sorrow. Also, a guy I went to high school was the drummer for this song and band for quite a while.

[@charlesking880]

Lmao... best Christian rock band ever!

[@NeanderthalNatty]

How in the f do you wonder if BR is a Christian band when their logo is a cross buster 😂

[@blytheguy7510]

As great as this song is, I almost prefer their acoustic version of this song. It really changes the tone. It's the same great song, just a different flavor. These guys are are top of their class. They're anti religion, government, and establishment, the very essence of punk. But these guys are more intellectual about it. It's what sets them apart.

[@charliemoss6379]

The basic meaning is if we all come together and follow the Golden rule things will be okay. Treat everybody else the way you want to be treated it's pretty simple, and there will be sorrow no more

[@KevinPhilpott-k3m]

Let the religion go.

[@sammydabull318]

hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha. quite the opposite my friends.

[@NASTYVEGASNATE]

Listen to nofx the decline!!!

[@chrisburns8562]

They aren’t Christian but they are talking about Job and being stuck between God and Satan

[@BEASTMILITIA1]

ABSOLUTELY NOT CHRISTIAN!!!! My favorite band by far. Im covered in tattoos and the only recognizable logo i have is the bad religion logo

[@stevenhaas9622]

She gets much closer to the point. Definitely NOT a christian band or song. This song was written in the aftermath of 9-11 when a handful of lunatics murdered thousands for their religious crusade. The beginning of the song is about man trying (unsuccessfully) to talk to god (which doesn't exist) lamenting about why all of the suffering and sorrow exists and in a sense apologizing for humanity's own existence, the source of sorrow. This is definitely a very old testament view of god and man. i.e., God allegedly made man in god's own image, but man is flawed (like old testament god is flawed). Just like god man is irrational, vengeful, power hungry, violent and destructive (the source of all the sorrow). That's because man created god in his own image rather than the reverse.The second part of the song then further deconstructs why sorrow will always exist while also holding out the slimmest of hope (ultimately futile) of overcoming it. You see while religion and other forms of power (kings and queens) that human exercise over each other promises redemption (a messiah) in the end it never delivers us from ourselves, the source of all of our sorrow. The point is that sorrow will forever be with us because a) every living soul will never be upright and strong. b) all soldiers will never lay their weapons down c) kings and queens will not lay down their crowns and most importantly d) there is no one true messiah to save us from our selves. So the main refrain is "there will be Sorrow" repeated over and over. But despite this he also holds on to the slightest glimmer of hope. All of those things are at least theoretically possible so at the end of the refrain he adds "no more". In the end the song is sort of an invitation to humanity to live without sorrow if we could somehow find a way to get rid of religion, authoritarian power structures, and tame our own worst human impulses for violence.

[@NinjaLill]

Please do American Jesus by Bad Religion. Please.

[@casbah2075]

Definitely not a Christian band. Highly recommend “Punk Rock Song” by Bad Religion if you want a good representation of their music. That or “American Jesus”.

[@padenj420]

Definitely not Christian rock. As others have said, they are one of the greatest punk rock bands of all time. Plus, their logo looks like a no smoking sign 🚭 but with a cross instead of a cigarette.

[@gusklemp3477]

This song is about the fallacy that God is good. And how he allows his children to live in sorrow, for he bet with the devil. It is actually a atheist/misotheist song. And all the lies from church, government, rich and evil people such as soldiers/murderers.

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

They’re anti Christian lol

[@djdemon51]

Its exactly the opposite of "Christian Rock"...there couldn't be a band thats more of an antithesis of that

[@MuchoMas640]

Check out the Suffer album.. and Noooo they are not a Christian rock .. far from it 😂❤

[@RomesThe59]

It’s the opposite of Christian rock. The band are known atheists

[@hanswammerl3184]

Bad Religion is definitely NOT christian rock! Listen to some other tunes by them - I've a few that are really great (to me): 21st Century Digital Boy Along The Way Come And Join Us Delirium Of Disorder Fertile Crescent Hooray For Me... Marked No Control Walk Away Watch It Die Of course there are more really good songs by them!

[@138jenn]

They are so anti organized religion!

[@erykvonritzmann4741]

This is not Christian Rock lol Atheist Rock really.

[@akplumber4084]

Ni the R NOT A JESUS' BAND....they R PUNK ROCK

[@larrymartinez667]

And it's not Christian rock just pure California punk rock

[@jonotwist]

The jist that I got, father an sun is God and the devil. This world is full of the worst things imaginable. If God put us here, he put us here to suffer. Whether for god's plans, or like in the book of Job, a bet between God and the devil is why we suffer. When the heaven we seek is wrought only by our own hands. We make our own suffering separate from is intrinsically here.

[@Wanagiwishasha1]

Thinking people’s music. Their singer is a Phd. An island of hope in a sea of horrible current meaningless, narcissistic music.

[@MuchoMas640]

Please do Bad Brains - Coptic Times with lyrics!!! Plzzzzz ❤❤❤

[@longfootbuddy]

oh boy, here comes all the athiests in the comments

[@charliemoss6379]

They're definitely not a Christian band.

[@NotSure876]

This is one of their worst songs. Probably should’ve done God Song or You or Conquer the World to get a better feel of the band

[@PoopscoopMcgoop204]

Far from Christian rock. Keep going with the BR!

[@23skidoo46]

they're the antithesis of "christian rock" , lol . far from it.

[@sergioblanco6321]

is this christian rock lol this band is anti religion .... and fyi hes saying in a sarcastic tune btw. this song is satire of Christianity

[@sammydabull318]

complete opposite

[@SwolllenGoat]

NOT christian rock my brah...................punk rock