Survivor Guilt

Album: Endgame (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by the film adaptation of Joseph Heller's novel, Catch-22 and features dialogue from one of the movie's central scenes, where Art Garfunkel's character argues with an Italian solider about America's military importance. Frontman Tim McIlrath explained to Spin magazine: "Garfunkel says to him, 'How can Italy be powerful when they were occupied by Nazi Germany?' and the soldier just sort of laughs at his stupidity and tells him, 'Well, we're still here — where are those people who occupied us? They lost.' It's this interesting anti-war statement and you can just see it blowing the soldier's mind."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.