Survive

Album: The Sufferer & The Witness (2006)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song is a call to action, encouraging listeners to take control of their lives while acknowledging that life can be less than kind. All those challenges can make us stronger and build our character: "How we survive is what makes us who we are."
  • Rise Against was raised on punk rock and carried that torch when they formed in 1999. Their first two albums were on the Fat Wreck Chords label, where Rancid, Anti-Flag, and many other punk acts recorded at some point. They moved on to the major label Geffen Records in 2003, but kept the attitude. They felt that the listener should be engaged in the music and responsible for shaping their surroundings, which could mean advocating for a cause or working toward self-improvement. In "Survive," this is very clear. They want their fans to get fired up in the face of injustice or misfortune, not sink into despair.

Comments: 12

  • Bt from Phoenix NmI identify with this song as it clearly describes what is like to suffer from anxiety and depression. Also from the part where they say "All smiles and sunshine..." It really hits what is like to be high on antidepressants still knowing that "life isn't like this". Awesome song
  • Jonathan from Albuquerque, NmI love rise against, there songs are so meaningful.
  • Austin from Rolla, MoWhen he is talking about him never feeling so F-ing great he is being sarcastic. you can tell because later he sings "Life is not this way"... just thought i throw my 2 cents in
  • Kayla from El Paso, Txyes yes this song is about suicide but the song says "But how we survive, is what makes us who we are" which makes me think that alot people think about suicide,but when they dont kill themself is what makes them feel better about themself so thats what makes them who they are if you kinda know what i mean
  • Teigen from Red Deer, AbWhen I saw them in concert, Tim McIlrath introduced the song by saying it was written for the times where you want to leave with your tail between your legs but you have to survive. PS this isnt a word for word quote
  • James from Tiffin, Ohi recomend this song to everyone who is sad and having a hard time around me. i remember when i was going to commit susicide, then someone played this song.and i thought to survive.
  • Rich =] from Dunstable, United KingdomYou can clearly see this song is about suicide among teenagers. Even teenagers who are not on the verge of committing suicide can look at every line in the song and i am positive it will remind them of a time when they were in a bad place..

    Especially the second verse "An obvious disinterest, a barely managed smile
    A deep nod in agreement, a status quo exile
    I shrink my obligations, I miss all your deadlines
    I excel at quitting early, and f**king up my life"

    every line i can relate to
  • Alex from Covina, Ca.. maybe the term "survive" is figurative language for how we can overcome our problems, and for that, we become better people.
  • Sandy from Salina, Ksi understand where ya'll get the suicide part. But "how we survive is what makes us who we are" He's sorry and yet he's been hurt... and he's never been so "f-ing" great... Does anyone think he's just living with regrets and trying to convince himself that this life he's NOW made for himself isnt what he wanted.. but he'll continue to pretend that everything ends up ok in the end-- but really as long as you're "living" you remember what life you could have had?
  • Jenna from Winnipeg, CanadaI'd recomend to listen to this song for anyone who's goin through a tough time, even if your not suicidal, last time I tried to commit suicide My cosion told me to go sit down and listen to this song,it really did work and it makes alot of sense
  • Chelsey from ?, Lai agree, i think its about how teens think about suicide because of the things that gone on in there life.
  • Ummm from Idk, Canadathe songs also pointing out how so many people wanna commit susicide because they think there life sucks while not noticeing that there not the only one
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