The Answer (from More Songs About Anger, Fear, Sex, & Death) | Discography | The Bad Religion Page - Since 1995
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The Answer
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Details
Written by: Greg Graffin
Released in: 1992
BPM: 137
Lyrics
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Long ago in a dusty village
Full of hunger, pain and strife,
A man came forth with a vision of truth
And the way to a better life.
He was convinced he had the answer
And he compelled people to follow along,
But the hunger never vanished
And the man was banished
And the village dried up and died.

At a time when wise men peered
Through glass tubes toward the sky,
The heavens changed in predictable ways
And one man was able to find,
That he had thought he found the answer
And he was quick to write his revelation,
But as they were scrutinized
In his colleagues eyes,
He soon became a mockery.

Don't tell me about the answer
'cause then another one will come along soon.
I don't believe you have the answer,
I've got ideas, too.
But if you've got enough naivete,
And you've got conviction,
Then the answer is perfect for you.

An urban sprawl sits choking on its discharge
Overwhelmed by industry,
Searching for a modern day
Savior from another place
Inclined toward charity.
Everyone's begging for an answer
Without regard to validity,
The searching never ends,
It goes on and on and on for eternity.

Don't tell me about the answer
'cause then another one will come along soon.
I don't believe you have the answer,
I've got ideas, too.
But if you've got enough naivete,
And you've got conviction,
Then the answer is perfect for you.
(The answer is perfect for you.)

Versions
Version Length Release Catalog ID Country Format Year
Album version
3:20 All Ages United States 12" 2023
3:20 All Ages Europe 12" 2023
3:20 All Ages Europe 12" 2023
3:21 Generator United States 12" 2022
3:21 Generator United States 12" 2022
3:21 Generator United States 12" 2022
3:21 Generator Europe 12" 2022
3:21 Generator Europe 12" 2022
3:21 Generator Europe 12" 2022
3:21 Generator United States 12" 2022
3:21 Generator Australia 12" 2022
3:21 Generator Germany 12" 2022
3:20 All Ages United States 12" 2019
3:21 Generator United States 12" 2017
3:21 Generator E-86416-1 | 86416-1LIM United States 12" 2014
3:21 Generator E-86416-1 | 86416-1GRA United States 12" 2014
3:21 Generator United States 12" 2011
3:21 Generator E 86416-1 United States 12" 2010
3:21 Generator Russia CD 2007
3:21 Generator Australia CD 2004
3:21 Generator Brazil CD 2001
3:21 Generator Brazil CD 1999
3:21 Generator Brazil CD 1999
3:20 All Ages 483563 4 Thailand MC 1996
3:20 All Ages 1221 Poland MC 1996
3:20 All Ages Taiwan CD 1996
3:20 All Ages n/a Malaysia MC 1995
3:20 All Ages 86443-4 United States MC 1995
3:20 All Ages United States 12" 1995
3:20 All Ages 86443-2 United States CD 1995
3:20 All Ages Japan CD 1995
3:20 All Ages Europe CD 1995
3:20 All Ages EP 86443 United States 12" 1995
3:21 Generator ESCA-6111 Japan CD 1995
3:20 All Ages ESCA 6405 STEREO | 483563 4 Philippines MC 1995
3:20 All Ages Russia MC 1995
3:20 All Ages Russia MC 1995
3:20 All Ages Yugoslavia MC 1995
3:20 All Ages 86443 Europe MC 1995
3:20 All Ages Bulgaria MC 1995
3:20 All Ages Indonesia MC 1995
3:20 All Ages Philippines CD 1995
3:20 All Ages Bulgaria CD 1995
3:20 All Ages Russia CD 1995
3:20 All Ages 86443-2 Australia CD 1995
3:20 All Ages OXX 1173-1 Brazil CD 1995
3:21 Generator E-86416-4 United States MC 1992
3:21 Generator United States 12" 1992
3:21 Generator United States 12" 1992
3:21 Generator Canada CD 1992
3:21 Generator E-86416-2 United States CD 1992
3:21 Generator E-6416-2 Europe CD 1992
3:23 More Songs About Anger, Fear, Sex, & Death 86402-2 United States CD 1992
3:21 Generator Malaysia MC 1992
3:21 Generator Russia MC 1992
3:21 Generator TJK 207 Thailand MC 1992
Live
3:11 No Substance PRCD 8531B United States CD 1998
3:11 No Substance United States CD 1998
3:19 Raise Your Voice DRA 665675 5 Germany CD 1998
Live @ Riviera Theater Chicago, 10/9/1993
Live Hate PRCS 5391 United States MC 1993
Remastered
3:21 Generator United States CD 2004
3:21 Generator Europe CD 2004
3:21 Generator United States CD 2004
3:21 Generator Russia CD 2004
Not specified
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) n/a Malaysia MC 2009
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) Japan CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) Germany CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) EPC507628 2 Germany CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) Turkey MC 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) South Korea CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) EICP-96 Japan CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) EDCI 80030 Japan CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) 2-507628 Brazil CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) SAMP11213 Germany CD 2002
3:19 Punk Rock Songs (The Epic Years) Russia CD 2002
3:20 All Ages Russia MC 1995
3:21 Generator 1738 Poland MC 1992
Info from 'The Answer'
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Song interpretations (7)
Another BR fan
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Location: Global Citizen
03/02/2006 at 15:59
Fransanity
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Location: Global Citizen
10/10/2005 at 02:27
Smelly
Incomplete
Incomplete

Location: United States
Status: Offline
Posts: 5
07/21/2005 at 08:48
Emka
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Location: Global Citizen
11/01/2004 at 12:03
Navid
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Location: Global Citizen
07/19/2004 at 07:34
AutomaticMan17
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Location: Global Citizen
07/11/2004 at 16:58
Matt Golebiewski
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Location: Global Citizen
07/11/2004 at 16:57
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