Punk Rock Song (from The Gray Race) | Discography | The Bad Religion Page

Details

Written by:	Greg Graffin
Released in:	1996

Lyrics

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Have you been to the desert?
Have you walked with the dead?
There's a hundred thousand children being killed for their bread
And the figures don't lie they speak of human disease,
But we do what we want and we think what we please.

Have you lived the experience?
Have you witnessed the plague?
People making babies sometimes just to escape.
In this land of competition the compassion is gone,
Yet we ignore the needy and we keep pushing on.
We keep pushing on...

This is just a punk rock song
Written for the people who can see something's wrong.
Like ants in a colony we do our share,
But there's so many other fuckin' insects out there.
And this is just a punk rock song.

Have you visited the quagmire?
Have you swam in the shit?
The party conventions and the realpolitik,
The faces always different, the rhetoric the same,
But we swallow it, and we see nothing change.
Nothing has changed...

This is just a punk rock song
Written for the people who can see something's wrong.
Like workers in a factory we do our share
But there's so many other fuckin' robots out there.
And this is just a punk rock song.

Ten million dollars on a losing campaign,
Twenty million starving and writhing in pain.
Big strong people unwilling to give,
Small in vision and perspective.
One in five kids below the poverty line,
One population runnin' out of time.
Runnin' out of time.

This is just a punk rock song
Written for the people who can see something's wrong.
Like ants in a colony we do our share,
But there's so many other fuckin' insects out there.
And this is just a punk rock song.

(Figures don't lie they speak of human disease,
But we do what we want and we think what we please.
One in five kids below the poverty line,
One population runnin' out of time.)

This is just a punk rock song... [3x]

Lyrics - German Language Version

Got your own interpretation of these lyrics? Scroll down and share it!

Warst du schon mal in der Wüste?
Schon mal den Tod gesehen?
Hunderttausend Kinder sterben für Brot
Und die Zahlen lügen nicht, es ist die Krankheit der Menschen
Doch wir tun was wir wollen,
Wir denken wie es uns gefällt

Hast du die Erfahrung gemacht?
Hast du die Plage gesehen?
Leute machen Kinder, einfach nur um zu fliehen
Im Land des Wettbewerbs ist kein Mitleid mehr da
Und wir vergessen die Armen,
Wir machen weiter und weiter,
Weiter und weiter

Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song
Für die, die sehen, dass es so nicht weitergeht
Wie Ameisen im Haufen sind wir programmiert
Aber es gibt immer mehr von dieser verfickten Art
Aber dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song

Hast du schon mal nicht weitergewusst?
Schon mal in der Scheiße gesteckt?
Die Parteitagungen und die Realpolitik,
Die Gesichter wechseln, das Gelaber bleibt
Alles wird geschluckt, und so wird sich nichts ändern
Niemals ändern

Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song
Für die, die sehen, dass es so nicht weitergeht
Wie Fließbandarbeiter tun wir unsere Pflicht
Und es gibt noch mehr von diesen stumpfsinnigen Idioten
Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song

Ten million dollars on a losing campaign,
Twenty million starving and writhing in pain
Big strong people unwilling to give
Small in vision and perspective

Eins von fünf Kindem lebt in Armut
Der Menschheit läuft die Zeit davon
Die Zeit davon

Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song
Für die, die sehen, dass es so nicht weitergeht
Wie Ameisen im Haufen sind wir programmiert
Aber es gibt immer mehr von dieser verfickten Art
Aber dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song

(Figures don't lie they speak of human disease
But we do what we want and we think what we please
One in five kids below the poverty line
One population running out of time)
Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song
Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song
Dies ist nur ein Punk Rock Song

Tabs

Type	Format	Date submitted	Tabbed by	Rating
Guitar	Tabs	Unknown	Unknown		Open
Guitar	No info available

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Versions

Version	Length	Release	Catalog ID	Country	Format	Year
Album version
	2:27	The Gray Race	6996-1	United States	12"	2010
	2:27	The Gray Race	6996-2	Europe	CD	2008
	2:27	The Gray Race	88697101822	Germany	CD	2007
	2:27	5-track V/A Sampler	PRCD 96734	Mexico	CD	1997
	2:27	The Gray Race	ESCA 6385	Japan	CD	1996
	Show 21 more
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 4	Spain	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DAG 483652-4	Turkey	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652 0	Europe	12"	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-1	United States	12"	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652 1	Europe	12"	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652-2	Australia	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	n/a	United States	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652-2	Thailand	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	623	Russia	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652 4	Indonesia	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652 4	Australia	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652-4	Europe	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	n/a	United Kingdom	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	n/a	Germany	MC	1995
Censored
		Punk Rock Song	662867 7	Germany	7"	1996
German Language Version
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	SAMPCS 11266 1	Europe	CD	2002
	2:27	5-track V/A Sampler	PRCD 96734	Mexico	CD	1997
	2:27	The Gray Race	483652 0	Europe	12"	1996
	2:35	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:35	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	Show 4 more
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	DRA 662867 6	Germany	12"	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	DRA 662867 2	Germany	CD	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	MATTCD026	Australia	CD	1996
	2:35	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3144 2	Europe	CD	1996
Live
	2:25	Tested	DRA 486986 1	Germany	2x12"	1997
	2:25	Tested	DRA 486986 2	Germany	CD	1997
	2:25	Tested	Esca 6658	Japan	CD	1997
	2:25	Tested	486986-4	Turkey	MC	1997
	2:25	Tested	DRA 486986 4 \| 485019 4	Poland	MC	1997
	Show 3 more
	2:25	Tested	DRASAMPCD39522	Germany	CD	1997
	2:25	Tested	486986-2	Australia	CD	1997
	2:25	Tested	758.329 / 2-486986	Brazil	CD	1997
Live Loreley Festival 1996
		The Grey Race - Video EP		Europe	DVD	2003
Video
		Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)	202585 9	Germany	DVD	2004
		Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)	9-202585	Mexico	DVD	2004
*Not specified*
	2:27	Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)	n/a	Malaysia	MC	2009
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	SAMPCS 11266 1	Europe	CD	2002
	2:27	Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)	EICP-96	Japan	CD	2002
	2:27	Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)	EDCI 80030	Japan	CD	2002
	2:27	Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)	EPC 507628 9	Germany	CD	2002
	Show 22 more
	2:27	Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years)		South Korea	CD	2002
	2:27	Holiday Sampler	PRCD 8388	United States	CD	1997
	2:27	Holiday Sampler	PRCD 8399	United States	CD	1997
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	A2 82870	United States	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	DRA 662867 6	Germany	12"	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	7-87079	United States	7"	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	7-87079	United States	7"	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	DRA 662867 2	Germany	CD	1996
	2:28	Punk Rock Song	ESCA-6600	Japan	CD	1996
	2:28	Punk Rock Song	MATTCD026	Australia	CD	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	XPCD 796	United Kingdom	CD	1996
	2:27	Punk Rock Song	PRCD 6747	United States	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
		The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	XPCD 768	United Kingdom	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3144 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:27	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3145 2	Europe	CD	1996

Info from 'The Answer'

General	Greg Graffin initally called this song "This Is Just A Punk Rock Song". Bad Religion also recorded a German language version of Punk Rock Song. The cover artwork of the single was first intended to be the sleeve for The Gray Race (album). The shout at the end of the song ("Yes! Bo... More
Single	There are four different regular versions of the single, containing different live tracks and previously unreleased songs. The UK promo single has the words "shit" and "fucking" censored.
Song meaning	"There is so much human tragedy in the world, we can identify it but we can't fix it, all we can offer is this punk rock song. People are usually more interested in discussing a song's fashionability than its meaning. That's why the human tragedy persists." Greg G.: "There are so ma... More
Video	The video was directed by David Bragger, who was the director of several other BR videos, too.
Reception	The song is BR's highest charting single in Finland (#5), Germany (#29) and Sweden (#21). In April 1996 it was number 17 on the European MTV charts, ranking higher than Green Day and Bon Jovi.

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Comment:

Song interpretations (9)

rmg512 Billy Gnosis math mouth Location: OC Status: Offline Posts: 1327	Quote Exactly, it's JUST a punk-rock song. No one really follows punk like no one truly follows these issues and tries to do something about them. 06/29/2009 at 08:00 Exactly, it's JUST a punk-rock song. No one really follows punk like no one truly follows these issues and tries to do something about them.
Kavo Modern Man Location: Dublin, Ireland Status: Offline Posts: 614	Quote I think it says that this world sucks and all we can offer is this punk rock song. 06/29/2009 at 07:47 I think it says that this world sucks and all we can offer is this punk rock song.
Nik Hlavacek Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Wow. This song deeply symbolizes the new American ignorance. Every day we go about our lives like "ants in a colony" or bees in a hive for example. It seems we either dont give a shit about the starving millions around the world, or we just are so involved with ourselves that we forget. Take the recent AIDS day for example. George Bush said he would donate relief money years ago and now he's saying now we can start the process. To me he is a fucking liar and a turncoat just like how Anti-Flag and other bands would describe him. Anyways, its "just a punk rock song" but it makes us take a step back and think for a change. This is why Bad Religion is fucking awesome. Peace everyone, Nik H. 12/07/2005 at 04:03 Wow. This song deeply symbolizes the new American ignorance. Every day we go about our lives like "ants in a colony" or bees in a hive for example. It seems we either dont give a shit about the starving millions around the world, or we just are so involved with ourselves that we forget. Take the recent AIDS day for example. George Bush said he would donate relief money years ago and now he's saying now we can start the process. To me he is a fucking liar and a turncoat just like how Anti-Flag and other bands would describe him. Anyways, its "just a punk rock song" but it makes us take a step back and think for a change. This is why Bad Religion is fucking awesome. Peace everyone, Nik H.
Latch Key Kid Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I think this song is a tribute to every punk in the world who can see that the world is not a perfect place, and can recognise the problems and how to try and solve them. 11/13/2005 at 01:49 I think this song is a tribute to every punk in the world who can see that the world is not a perfect place, and can recognise the problems and how to try and solve them.
droogiedroogie Incomplete Status: Offline Posts: 1	Quote Once again, The Gray Race delivers a scathing critique of the American left for doing just enough to feel good by having benefit concerts or buying a goat for someone in Bangladesh or protesting something or other, but staying away from meaningful change that would require a change in lifestyle. All we do is preach to our own converted choir and we know it, but we don't care. Because nothing else is required of us. 11/07/2004 at 10:17 Once again, The Gray Race delivers a scathing critique of the American left for doing just enough to feel good by having benefit concerts or buying a goat for someone in Bangladesh or protesting something or other, but staying away from meaningful change that would require a change in lifestyle. All we do is preach to our own converted choir and we know it, but we don't care. Because nothing else is required of us.
Antti Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote The very first BR song I ever heard. It was back in 1996 (yeah, I'm a junior if compared to you who have been fans for 20 years or so) when I heard it from the radio. Didn't really notice it then, it was just another fairly good song. But about one and a half years ago I heard it again. And it was great. The lyrics really make you think. 'The faces always different, the rhetoric the same, but we swallow it all and we see nothing change.' Could it be more true? No matter who is in charge, the things always go the same way, and those who are not in charge, stay muted and do anything they are told to do. 'Big strong people, unwilling to give / small in vision and perspective / one in five kids below the poverty line, one population running out of time.' Yeah, there's no limit to people's greediness. The rich get richer and don't care if the poor stay poor. There's just one little but. If things stay this way, the only possible result is disaster. At some point, somewhere, someone is really going to have enough of it, and after that it's all downhill. The marks are already there, the riots in Seattle -99, G?teborg and Genova this year, terrorist attack to USA, and all the smaller conflicts, school murders in Columbus and elsewhere etcetera. One population running out of time. Like I said, this was the first BR song I heard. Since then many BR songs have gone past this, and I consider this a mediocre song in the whole, but the lyrics are still awesome. Thank you, Mr.. Graffin. 07/17/2004 at 02:23 The very first BR song I ever heard. It was back in 1996 (yeah, I'm a junior if compared to you who have been fans for 20 years or so) when I heard it from the radio. Didn't really notice it then, it was just another fairly good song. But about one and a half years ago I heard it again. And it was great. The lyrics really make you think. 'The faces always different, the rhetoric the same, but we swallow it all and we see nothing change.' Could it be more true? No matter who is in charge, the things always go the same way, and those who are not in charge, stay muted and do anything they are told to do. 'Big strong people, unwilling to give / small in vision and perspective / one in five kids below the poverty line, one population running out of time.' Yeah, there's no limit to people's greediness. The rich get richer and don't care if the poor stay poor. There's just one little but. If things stay this way, the only possible result is disaster. At some point, somewhere, someone is really going to have enough of it, and after that it's all downhill. The marks are already there, the riots in Seattle -99, G?teborg and Genova this year, terrorist attack to USA, and all the smaller conflicts, school murders in Columbus and elsewhere etcetera. One population running out of time. Like I said, this was the first BR song I heard. Since then many BR songs have gone past this, and I consider this a mediocre song in the whole, but the lyrics are still awesome. Thank you, Mr.. Graffin.
Hokie Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This is about how limited of an effect Bad Religion has, due to the fact that they're just singing songs about problems to people that probably already realize that this is the case (preaching to the choir, so to speak). He points out that even if the members of Bad Religion and the people listening are doing what they can to resolve some of the world's issues, it's in no way enough since there are many, many more people that aren't ('There's so many other insects/robots out there'). Greg points out that nothing has changed, despite all the rhetoric that we've been fed ('Nothing's ever changed'), and that punk rock songs will have a limited effect. 07/17/2004 at 02:23 This is about how limited of an effect Bad Religion has, due to the fact that they're just singing songs about problems to people that probably already realize that this is the case (preaching to the choir, so to speak). He points out that even if the members of Bad Religion and the people listening are doing what they can to resolve some of the world's issues, it's in no way enough since there are many, many more people that aren't ('There's so many other insects/robots out there'). Greg points out that nothing has changed, despite all the rhetoric that we've been fed ('Nothing's ever changed'), and that punk rock songs will have a limited effect.
Brandon Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This song is pretty straight forward. It's about how people as fortunate as me and you to live in a wealthy country doesn't care about any one but ourselves. Graffin says 'In this land of competition the compassion is gone, yet we ignore the needy and we keep pushin on.' I think he is saying how all of us know about how bad it is for the people who live in third world countries, but know one does anything about it. Then he says 'Like ants in a colony we do our share, but there's so many other fuckin insects out there,' there I think he is trying to say while some of us do our share to help, some many others don't. He also talks about how we blow money on pointless things instead of helping others. And I think that the fact that the song is called 'Punk Rock Song' shows that this is basically what all punk rock songs our about, just another statement no one will listen to. 07/17/2004 at 02:22 This song is pretty straight forward. It's about how people as fortunate as me and you to live in a wealthy country doesn't care about any one but ourselves. Graffin says 'In this land of competition the compassion is gone, yet we ignore the needy and we keep pushin on.' I think he is saying how all of us know about how bad it is for the people who live in third world countries, but know one does anything about it. Then he says 'Like ants in a colony we do our share, but there's so many other fuckin insects out there,' there I think he is trying to say while some of us do our share to help, some many others don't. He also talks about how we blow money on pointless things instead of helping others. And I think that the fact that the song is called 'Punk Rock Song' shows that this is basically what all punk rock songs our about, just another statement no one will listen to.
Gents Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This song has got to be one of the most straight forward Bad Religion songs on Grey Race, if not their entire collection. 'Ol Greg speaks on some of the most significant world issues facing the human race today; hundreds of thousands of infant mortality in African nations due to malnutrition and the poverty cycle, third world population surplus, and of course each election new politicians with the same empty promises (nothing changes). My favorite line from Punk Rock Song is: 'big strong people unwilling to give, small in vision and perspective'. Corporations? Governments? It's sad to know that we have enough resources, finance and technology to COMPLETELY ERADICATE WORLD HUNGER yet instead we hoard the resources to ourselves all in the name of personal profit. Damn agribusiness. 07/17/2004 at 02:22 This song has got to be one of the most straight forward Bad Religion songs on Grey Race, if not their entire collection. 'Ol Greg speaks on some of the most significant world issues facing the human race today; hundreds of thousands of infant mortality in African nations due to malnutrition and the poverty cycle, third world population surplus, and of course each election new politicians with the same empty promises (nothing changes). My favorite line from Punk Rock Song is: 'big strong people unwilling to give, small in vision and perspective'. Corporations? Governments? It's sad to know that we have enough resources, finance and technology to COMPLETELY ERADICATE WORLD HUNGER yet instead we hoard the resources to ourselves all in the name of personal profit. Damn agribusiness.