the answer

There's a lot of rage and bitterness in America as a result of the polarizing effects of today's political situation. That isn't news, we were all aware. Even if you think you're moderate or utterly apathetic towards politics, all it takes is one extremist's suffocating rhetoric to make you feel extreme as well.

Musically, I can think of few bands that are as politically extreme in idealogy as Bad Religion. Since 1982 they have refused to let up on their attack against organized religion and conservative politics. Their political standing is so blatantly liberally - their songs' subject matter ranges from anti-Christian, pro-choice, environmentalist, and anti-capitalist/socialist - that it boggles my mind how ultra-conservatives can listen to their stuff without their heads exploding (on facebook the majority of Bad Religion listeners I found were conservative. Not even moderate.... pure conservative. This phenomenon, however, will be reserved for a separate post.)

Amidst all their polarizing punk music, you can find Bad Religion has slipped in some songs that stray from the usual message. One such song is "The Answer," the perfect tune for times like these when we lack an understanding view of those that believe differently from us.

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.

In this first stanza we are told of a man who believed he found an answer... a solution to the troubles of the world. He went about convincing everyone that he was right, but of course he was not, and others became angry with him for this. One of the more pathetic elements of human nature is exposed here as the people of this town are so easily swayed into belief and out of belief based on their situation.

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 scutinized
in his colleagues eyes
he soon became a mockery

Yet another man believes he has found an answer only to have it become disproved. This time the answer wasn't a religious "vision of truth" as in the first stanza, but rather the individual was a man of science. The author has generously included faults of both seekers of knowledge and of spirituality.

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

This is the most important stanza. We've already seen two examples of the answer being incorrect. The author has introduced this theme of life and here he reveals the point the introduction. The singer is tired of hearing these answers, because it's never the final answer. In fact, he's even got an answer, so he doesn't need yours.

And to me, the most revealing lines of the song are the final three in this stanza. The author lists the key ingredients for believing in an answer: naivete and conviction. Thinking that your answer is actually the right one requires a certain amount of naivete. And of course conviction is vital as well... without conviction you would never have an answer, you'd be beliefless. Then in the final line he states that the answer is perfect for you. That's what matters, that you are satisfied with your answer.

Whatever "wing" you're a part of, you're naive if you think you've got it right. But ultimately, if that's what gets you through the night, then good, believe it. You've found your answer and I respect it, but shut up now while I find mine. Because you know what? we're both wrong.

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

Finally he creates an image of the world today as this creature diseased by industry. This sickly state is hardly the paradise we're looking for, so we as people continue searching for an answer, not caring if it's right or wrong. But ultimately it will be wrong, and the searching will proceed.

Though I maintain that the song has a message of understanding... there's an undeniable jab at Christianity towards the end here by mentioning "savior" and "without regard to validity." But this minor change of pace towards the conclusion does not alter the song's sympathetic nature. Earlier, not only did the author criticize self-assured scientists in addition to prophets, he had also established himself as someone "with ideas too," in the second to last stanza. So the author is indeed another one of these lost people looking for an answer.

No matter how different our political beliefs are, we're all just people looking for an answer, so try to love and understand one another for that.

Song that won't disappoint: I'm very close to recommending "Do What You Want" by Bad Religion because there's some spectacular lines, but I'm going to go with "Anesthesia" by BR.
Why? Brett Gurewitz, co-founder and guitarist for most of the albums, has a huge Beatles influence and tends to write songs that aren't so politically motivated and at times lyrically brilliant for a simple punk rock band. This song clearly shows this by referencing ... which Beatles song? Listen to it and tell me!

Like anyone's going to do that...