Drunk Sincerity

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Details

Written by:	Greg Graffin
Released in:	1995
BPM:	142

Lyrics

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The smell of virgin pages wafted through the swinging doors
And the croaking speech he'd heard from countless counselors before.
They said, "We all care for you, we know how you suffer,
But I know you can succeed, I used to have it so much rougher."

There's hope in the words and emotion in the eyes.
It's so easy to be misled by the savvy gentle guise
And like fools we trust the delivery,
But it's all just drunk sincerity.

In maternal family assembly poised regarding the blue tube,
The numbers crept up higher and the hawks stayed out of view.
Then the generals said, "We dont want our boys dead.
Your sons and your husbands will be coming back heroes soon."

There's hope in the words and emotion in the eyes.
It's so easy to be misled by the savvy gentle guise
And like fools we trust the delivery,
But it's all just drunk sincerity.

With steam, heat, and rhythm in the back seat of the car
And adolescent perspective projecting life's forecast to the stars,
You heard love from the lips and you were rapt by the hips
And the promise was eternal, but you couldn't see that far.

There's hope in the words and emotion in the eyes.
It's so easy to be misled by the savvy gentle guise
And like fools we trust the delivery,
But it's all just drunk sincerity.

Versions

Version	Length	Release	Catalog ID	Country	Format	Year
Album version
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2022
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2022
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2022
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2021
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2018
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2018
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2018
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2013
	2:13	The Gray Race	6996-1	Europe	12"	2013
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2013
	2:13	The Gray Race	6996-1	United States	12"	2010
	2:13	The Gray Race	6996-2	Europe	CD	2008
	2:13	The Gray Race	88697101822	Germany	CD	2007
	2:13	The Gray Race		Japan	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 4	Spain	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Turkey	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-1	United States	12"	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	483652 1	Europe	12"	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Canada	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Australia	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Canada	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	483652-2	Australia	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	483652 4	Indonesia	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Russia	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Poland	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	483652 4	Australia	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	483652-4	Europe	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	n/a	United Kingdom	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	483652-2	Thailand	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	623	Russia	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Russia	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	n/a	Germany	MC	1995
	2:13	The Gray Race	3L4A3 2981063	United States	CD	1995
	2:13	The Gray Race	752.319/2-483652	Brazil	CD	1995
Live
	2:17	Tested	EPIT-69952	Europe	CD	2008
	2:17	Tested	DRA 486986 1	Germany	2x12"	1997
	2:17	Tested	DRA 486986 2	Germany	CD	1997
	2:17	Tested	Esca 6658	Japan	CD	1997
	2:17	Tested	486986-4	Turkey	MC	1997
	2:17	Tested	DRA 486986 4 \| 485019 4	Poland	MC	1997
	2:17	Tested	DRA 486986 4	Netherlands	MC	1997
	2:17	Tested		Germany	MC	1997
	2:17	Tested		Russia	MC	1997
	2:17	Tested		Spain	MC	1997
	2:17	Tested	DRASAMPCD39522	Germany	CD	1997
	2:17	Tested	486986-2	Australia	CD	1997
	2:17	Tested	758.329 / 2-486986	Brazil	CD	1997
Live Loreley Festival 1996
		The Grey Race - Video EP		Europe	DVD	2003
*Not specified*
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	A2 82870	United States	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-2 \| D 111751	United States	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		United States	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Russia	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Russia	MC	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3144 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3145 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Mexico	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Poland	CD	1996
	2:13	The Gray Race		Europe	CD	1996

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Song interpretations (6)

mayhamandeggs Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This song is actually one of my favorites off of this album. I think that this song is about all of the facades that people put on to get what they want. Its about the trivialities of life, and I think that it encourages you to question the way things are and to think for yourself. Standard Bad Religion fare, right? 02/07/2008 at 01:37 This song is actually one of my favorites off of this album. I think that this song is about all of the facades that people put on to get what they want. Its about the trivialities of life, and I think that it encourages you to question the way things are and to think for yourself. Standard Bad Religion fare, right?
Mikey Gesus Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote What I have alway gotten out of this song is that just because someone tells you something and really believes what they say is honest, that does not make it true. They are "drunk" with their own hopes and thoughts for it to be true, and you should not believe something just because what they are saying is not trying to mislead. It can still be false. 11/25/2007 at 22:00 What I have alway gotten out of this song is that just because someone tells you something and really believes what they say is honest, that does not make it true. They are "drunk" with their own hopes and thoughts for it to be true, and you should not believe something just because what they are saying is not trying to mislead. It can still be false.
NG Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This one is pretty clear to me - In this world we are constantly told things to comfort us and make us feel better about our lives. But, they merely hide reality. It is a statement on societies lack of seriously questioning or scrutinizing things they are told. 11/16/2004 at 17:33 This one is pretty clear to me - In this world we are constantly told things to comfort us and make us feel better about our lives. But, they merely hide reality. It is a statement on societies lack of seriously questioning or scrutinizing things they are told.
JC Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I disagree with the below opinions, although the "altered state of mind" has some bearing in my opinion. It's that sort of "sincerity", a state of assuredness born in the heavens, based on high emotions, the charm of the moment, the thrill of expectation. The danger here is that reason and emotion tend to be like oil and water - and a decision made on someone's assurances with "drunk sincerity" (be they a cliched by-the-book counsellor, a family reassured of their prodigal son's prompt return from war or a young lover caught up in the passion of the moment) is bound to disappoint. I suppose the point is, decisions should be made with as much reason as is practicable for the situation and emotions should only intrude if they are to help and not obfuscate eg You don't marry someone because you love their face and the words flowing therefrom, you do it based on your perception of them as a sound partner. 08/30/2004 at 11:36 I disagree with the below opinions, although the "altered state of mind" has some bearing in my opinion. It's that sort of "sincerity", a state of assuredness born in the heavens, based on high emotions, the charm of the moment, the thrill of expectation. The danger here is that reason and emotion tend to be like oil and water - and a decision made on someone's assurances with "drunk sincerity" (be they a cliched by-the-book counsellor, a family reassured of their prodigal son's prompt return from war or a young lover caught up in the passion of the moment) is bound to disappoint. I suppose the point is, decisions should be made with as much reason as is practicable for the situation and emotions should only intrude if they are to help and not obfuscate eg You don't marry someone because you love their face and the words flowing therefrom, you do it based on your perception of them as a sound partner.
Crass Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote In my opinion, this song refers to altered states of mind. I know first hand how when intoxicated you can sincerely mean something, and believe it with complete conviction. Yet, when you sober up it's a whole new reality. So he's saying that you can trust someone only for a relatively short amount of time, or only to achieve their personal agenda. So be wary... 07/17/2004 at 02:30 In my opinion, this song refers to altered states of mind. I know first hand how when intoxicated you can sincerely mean something, and believe it with complete conviction. Yet, when you sober up it's a whole new reality. So he's saying that you can trust someone only for a relatively short amount of time, or only to achieve their personal agenda. So be wary...
Bad Aeronuts Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote 'Drunk Sincerity' is pretty much about how we're sincerely told things, but they're really false or next to impossible because it's a senseless sincerity with no reason whatsoever. Greg says that it's like when parents tell us that it was rougher when they were kids--false, it continues to be as hard, if not harder. There's so much peer pressure, drugs, and info out there that it's really tougher to keep the pace in the right direction. Greg goes on to the military and how they want to calm parents down when they take their kids to war telling them that all will be fine and that their child will be a hero--this child will probably be so traumatized that he'll never live life again (if he's still alive). Finally, Greg attacks the fake teen love that always fail to take into account world affairs and the economy. It seems to be love, but a love that will not last. 07/17/2004 at 02:30 'Drunk Sincerity' is pretty much about how we're sincerely told things, but they're really false or next to impossible because it's a senseless sincerity with no reason whatsoever. Greg says that it's like when parents tell us that it was rougher when they were kids--false, it continues to be as hard, if not harder. There's so much peer pressure, drugs, and info out there that it's really tougher to keep the pace in the right direction. Greg goes on to the military and how they want to calm parents down when they take their kids to war telling them that all will be fine and that their child will be a hero--this child will probably be so traumatized that he'll never live life again (if he's still alive). Finally, Greg attacks the fake teen love that always fail to take into account world affairs and the economy. It seems to be love, but a love that will not last.