Osama Bin Laden as the Crucified Christ

Album: Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Against Me's Transgender Dysphoria Blues album deals with gender dysphoria, following the coming out of their frontwoman Laura Jane Grace as transgender. This song finds the vocalist turning her rage inward, almost cursing herself for being born this way. She told NME: "The chorus is about Mussolini and his lover Clara who after the war were both beaten and bludgeoned and then hung from the rafters of the gas station – but the verses about that point you realise transition is something that you have to do and you're like, 'F--- it.'"
  • Grace expanded on the song's meaning to Kerrang! magazine: "The lyrics are about fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara, who were hung from an ESSO station rafter after the fall of fascism in Italy," she said. "The song is about how much of life is about perspective, and how much of truth is about perspective. Someone like Mussolini or Osama Bin Laden - those are people that were viewed as messiahs or great people by some people and obviously not so much by others."

    " I don't revere those people," Grace continued, "I'm not saying that. But in your own life, on a smaller scale, you have to realise that the truth is based on perspective, and don't let anyone else's truth dictate to you what is real. That's the message."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.