This is a song about how the soldiers get brought in, almost coaxed to join by recruiters, and then get so messed up in the head by the hell that war can be. They are promised glory and promise, and all they get are medals and scars. Then to top it off, now that the guy is back from war, all fucked up, the recruiter just moves on to the next kid.
@@daolman8226 @willgilbert87 an important thing to note in this song is that last chorus "I brought home that flag now it gathers dust, but it's a flag that I love, the only flag I trust" he is talking about the white flag the woman he shot was carrying. He only loves and trusts that flag, the white flag, now. This song is a message about ending war and ending unneccesary conflict which this band believes the war in Iraq and Afganistan were. Unneccesary. Whether you agree with this point or not is irrelevant, thats is what the song is about, children falsely promised things and then sent off to fight in (what the band sees as) an unneccesary war.
I didn't serve myself, but I was a career firefighter/medic for 27yrs, and due to the nature of the job and it's paramilitary command structure and what not, it's a common field for former military members, so I was fortunate enough to work with many vets and some of the finest individuals I've ever known. Having been diagnosed with PTSD a couple years ago, being in group sessions with vets, then throughout my career, well, you know the nature of brothers confiding in each other I'm sure, I've heard enough stories to realize this video hits home for a lot of our combat vets. I'm sure others can tell you more specifics about this band, but I did see an interview with the singer and writer of the song, he said the stories were not exact, and were a combination of stories he'd received via fan mail over the years. More importantly, at least in my opinion, was that when he finished writing the song, and before releasing it, I believe on a USO tour, he played it bunch for different enlisted men and women, and then vets when he returned and asked them if they thought it was appropriate to release on their next album, or if it would open too many wounds for chewed up vets. He stated that overwhelmingly the response was to release it, and that it was a message that those not familiar with the what soldiers are sometimes tasked with doing, needed to hear. Thought you'd appreciate that little easter egg that I discovered not long ago. Great reaction, I see you. Take care.
Rise Against is my all time favorite!!! My father and bro in law both are combat vets. I went to a RA concert with my bro in law and man did this song hit different!
The lead singer was not in the military. This song tells the story of a young man's journey through the military and tour in war. It touches on some of the darker sides like torturing prisoners and the death of that young girl. I feel that the most significant impact is that it begins with the man believing in and trusting his country's flag and ends with him only trusting the white flag that the young girl was carrying.
Notably tho Tim (the lead singer) didn't just make the story up wholecloth. He actually made this song after hearing the testimonies of his fans who had been overseas
Late comment, but not a lot of people notice, that in the end, with the white (surrender) flag.. he mentions that he brought that flag home, and now it is the only flag he trusts. Very awesome song, retelling tbe events that a soldier explained to the lead singer.
There are a couple of other major signs in the video, the part with his face painted, half of it is white, and the next scene the flag is upside down, showing that there is a crisis or problem. it's very subtle most people don't catch it on their first watch through.
A few of their other songs you should check out Prayer of the refugee Make it stop septembers children (not gonna spoil to much but for context the names he list are real kids here that have passed all within the same month that its referring to) They are an amazing band and tend to use their music to touch on very important topics and issues going on This one being war and how many are brought in not fully prepared for the things they may experience
Non American here. I have a great respect for the people that menn and women that serve, and fight. But. I'd rater they not engage inn some conflicts, and lets be honest, some (most) off the first people that whent inn to the middle east conflict got a raw deal.
If you're a US vet you should beg your victims to forgive what you did. I'm open to forgiveness. But you need to try to make amends with the countries you destroyed and the families of your victims. In a just society, you'd be in prison.
Rise against is a constant mystery to me. I love that they are anti war but their symbol is very repulsive with the fist. It's almost communist and that's not cool. But their music always makes me feel like they are more Libertarian and balanced I just don't know, I don't follow celebrities. I need to call in to the timcast after show and just ask Phil Labonte if he knows the guys in the band and if they are crazy lefties or not. It wouldn't change my view of their music, dancing for rain is phenomenal and so are many other classics but it would be nice to know if they are sane libertarians or classical liberals or if they are crackpot woke leftists. I'm just curious hahaha 😅 stupid comment Im sorry 😂
The one word that I always consider for RA is progressivism. Which is more associated generally with left in terms of political view but I don't really think the band considers it that way. They usually pose anti-war or anti- fill in the blank when they're addressing something. I think they generally sing for the people and support how we can get up and do something for our sake. Many of their songs are politically charged in order to get the attention of those who want to step up against something but not necessarily all their songs are written that way, like swing life away, rumors of my demise or blood to bleed. The way I see it, the song can relate to anyone, if ones views blocks their relation to the song message, it isn't the songs fault. The song state of the union was written against Bush Jr and his war, but when you listen to it.. it can be about whatever your angry about. Then think about the song Entertainment which seems to be about Hollywood's perfection state of thought. No matter, it's a great band regardless of their personal political views.
@@jonathancrews169 exactly what I was trying to get across in that it wouldn't matter to me either way. I'm not some crazy right wing nut and tbh I'm so sick of the nonsense from everyone at this point. 😂 I remember when the "left" were anarchists and anti government and now they are a bunch of whiney regressive dolts. Who would do anything to let daddy government present it's tit to be suckled on aimlessly. 😅 It's funny watching the two sides of the corruption coin flip back and forth while trying to play the odds that the majority of ding bat's force us to deal with. But id generally agree they are probably old school classical liberal types that's why you don't hear anything from them politically. Which can be a smart move. But the whole point is that only an idiot gets their politics from an artist. You should get them from reading history, philosophy, and sociology while constantly debating in good faith with as many people who are interested in civil dialog. 😂❤️❤️❤️
