A World Without Melody

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Details

Written by:	Greg Graffin
Released in:	2000
BPM:	157

Lyrics

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I don't want to live
In a world without melody.
Sometimes the rhythmic din
Of society is too much for me,
But purpose is prioritized.
These days the goal is win the prize.
There's a sleeping resonance we hold
Through which we're unified,
So let it out!

Don't just get lost in the crowd,
No one can deter you from your own path.
There's no trip too remote
From which you can't come back.
And I've got this hunch about you and me,
None of us are ready
For a world without melody.

Melody is the key,
It's the surest way
To unlock your individuality.
Melody is the key,
It will set you free!

Don't disrelish harmony,
Community will make you whole.
Work and understanding are the chords
Way deep within your soul.
They only need to be struck once
And the vibrations swell and spread,
But if we mute them they decay,
Our sensibilities are dead,
So let it out!

Don't just be one of the crowd
Hesitance and diffidence will do you in
And your soul doesn't care
For social medicine.
And I've got this hunch
About you and me,
None of us are ready
For a world without melody.

Melody is the key,
It's the surest way
To unlock your individuality.
Melody is the key,
It will set you free!

And I know together we could change the world,
Just you and me,
But I won't live without melody.

Versions

Version	Length	Release	Catalog ID	Country	Format	Year
Album version
	2:31	The New America		United States	12"	2022
	2:31	The New America		Russia	MC	2019
	2:31	The New America		United States	12"	2018
	2:31	The New America		Europe	12"	2018
	2:31	The New America		United States	12"	2018
	2:31	The New America		Europe	12"	2013
	2:31	The New America	6998-1	Europe	12"	2013
	2:31	The New America		Europe	12"	2013
	2:31	The New America	6998-1	United States	12"	2010
	2:31	The New America	6998-2	Europe	CD	2008
	2:31	The New America		Europe	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America		United States	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America		Poland	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America		Canada	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	QDCA 93300	Japan	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	83303-4	United States	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America	n/a	Thailand	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America		Turkey	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America		Germany	12"	2000
	2:31	The New America	83303-1	United States	12"	2000
	2:31	The New America	83303-2	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	No catalog ID	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	A2 83303	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Europe	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	DRA 498124 2	Germany	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	ESCA 8152	Japan	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	ESCA 8152	Japan	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	DRA 498124 5	Europe	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Australia	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	DRA 498124 2	Europe	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	83303-2	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Germany	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	DRA 498124 7 \| 498124 7000	Germany	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	n/a	Bulgaria	MC	2000
	2:31	The New America		Brazil	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	2A-83303	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	n/a	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	2-498124	Argentina	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	ZK07115	Russia	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Canada	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Europe	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Ukraine	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America		Russia	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	n/a	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	PRCDA2-83303	United States	CD	2000
	2:31	The New America	83303-2	United States	CD	2000

Info from 'The Answer'

Recording & producing	The New America was recorded in September 1999 in Kauai, Hawaii in six weeks. The record was mixed and mastered in L.A. and finally was finished in late February, 2000. The first song was written in November of 1998. Many more songs were written than actually ended up on the album. G... More
Brett's contribution	Jay and Greg had planned on The New America being the 20th anniversary album, so Jay proposed: "We have to call Brett!" If we're going to do this anniversary thing, he has to be part of it." Greg Graffin: "I wanted this album to be a sentimental favorite, and I kne... More
Release	The New America was released on May 9, 2000 and peaked at no. 88 on the US Billboard 200.
Promotion	If one bought the album during the first week in the US, he/she got a free ticket to one of the shows in the fall (you had to have a shrink wrap or merchandise slip from the album and the receipt sent in, and state which show you wanted to attend).
Singles	The first single (New America) included two unreleased tracks: Pretenders and Lose As Directed. The second single was I Love My Computer (with A Whisper In Time).
Demos	Two sets of demos exist. The first and earlier set consists of the following songs that were recorded by Greg at his home studio: Let It Burn A World Without Melody The Hopeless Housewife Lose As Directed (this exact same version was also released as a B-side on the German ... More
Reception	Brian Baker: "Some of the song on this record are fantastic. And we definitely will be playing songs off of The New America. Luckily the dealings of the production team didn't have any effect on the songwriting." At some Warped shows in 2000, Fat Mike of NOFX said he thought the ... More
Controversy	Recording The New America has been one of the most controversial experiences for Bad Religion, and in particular their experience with producer Todd Rundgren. Although Greg Graffin has been a long-time fan of Todd Rundgren and says to have enjoyed Rundgren and the studio time with him, other band... More
Artwork	There are two different covers, one for the European, and one for the American release. The first painting by Joe Murray, showing children saluting the flag and holding guns, was rejected by Atlantic Records for being too controversial and therefore ended up on the European version. The American ... More

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Comment:

Song interpretations (5)

jon Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I have to disagree with you guys, here. People sometimes get so caught up in the ideals of personal freedoms that they forget what freedom really is. What kind of freedoms are people looking for? Freedom to compete against your brothers? What Greg is saying is that our world needs melody, it needs community, and for people to work as one without getting so caught up in competition. Many people these days get so overwhelmed with the antiestablishment ideas of main-stream punk that they lose sight of the necessity of harmony. He says that he "doens'nt want to live in a world without harmony." I don't think any of us are ready for that, but for now we have to focus on unity. Melody in life truely is the key to your individuality. Once you can forget about competing with everyone, and trying to get ahead, you can really develope your own identity and beliefs, because these days, you almost have to conform to win. 04/07/2006 at 03:27 I have to disagree with you guys, here. People sometimes get so caught up in the ideals of personal freedoms that they forget what freedom really is. What kind of freedoms are people looking for? Freedom to compete against your brothers? What Greg is saying is that our world needs melody, it needs community, and for people to work as one without getting so caught up in competition. Many people these days get so overwhelmed with the antiestablishment ideas of main-stream punk that they lose sight of the necessity of harmony. He says that he "doens'nt want to live in a world without harmony." I don't think any of us are ready for that, but for now we have to focus on unity. Melody in life truely is the key to your individuality. Once you can forget about competing with everyone, and trying to get ahead, you can really develope your own identity and beliefs, because these days, you almost have to conform to win.
Alex Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Greg himself said in an interview (with the VISIONS magazine) that melody is individuality. Just wanted to add that, your interpretations are pretty much the same as mine anyway. 12/27/2004 at 03:00 Greg himself said in an interview (with the VISIONS magazine) that melody is individuality. Just wanted to add that, your interpretations are pretty much the same as mine anyway.
Samhain138 Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Another important point made in this song is portrayed in the line 'Don't disrelish harmony, community will make you whole.' Having individual thoughts is good but individuality in the sense that you do not interact with other people in society is not right. To make oneself whole you must work together with the other people in your community to make a constructive society that has an identity and character. 07/17/2004 at 11:55 Another important point made in this song is portrayed in the line 'Don't disrelish harmony, community will make you whole.' Having individual thoughts is good but individuality in the sense that you do not interact with other people in society is not right. To make oneself whole you must work together with the other people in your community to make a constructive society that has an identity and character.
Captain Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote The word melody in music is defined as the dominate tune that sticks out on top of all the other sounds and chords. In this song, I think Graffin applies melody to people and society. The 'melody' in a person consists of being an individual and to not 'just get lost in the crowd' (i.e.., to not just get lost in the other sounds and chords.) People these days shun people that are 'different' so people are scared to show their 'melody'. This song tries to show how boring and self centered the world would be without melody (individuality). 07/17/2004 at 11:55 The word melody in music is defined as the dominate tune that sticks out on top of all the other sounds and chords. In this song, I think Graffin applies melody to people and society. The 'melody' in a person consists of being an individual and to not 'just get lost in the crowd' (i.e.., to not just get lost in the other sounds and chords.) People these days shun people that are 'different' so people are scared to show their 'melody'. This song tries to show how boring and self centered the world would be without melody (individuality).
eevill Incomplete Location: Canada Status: Offline Posts: 0	Quote Kind of self-explanatory, but this one is about how anyone can make a difference and change the world for better. And, of course, how important music is. 07/11/2004 at 20:10 Kind of self-explanatory, but this one is about how anyone can make a difference and change the world for better. And, of course, how important music is.