LacunasCoil June 28th, 2009 02:21AM  

Billie Joe Armstrong has stated: "It’s a rallying song. It’s about liberating yourself from a lot of bullshit that you see on TV.” This means that some things you might think are on your side might even be your enemy.

MurcielagoAI September 9th, 2009 08:53PM  

This song is about waking up. There are things in all of our lives, some ever present, that are doing a lot more harm than good.

"Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
Burning down the foreman of control"

Stop worshiping your useless idols and blindly following a leader wether it be in community, religion, etc.

"Dont be blinded by the lies in your eyes"

Plain and simple. Media. It's a 24/7 thing now thanks to the internet and television. Advertising, news, all of it. Stop letting the media use it's bandwagon effect and other B.S. change how you live your life.

"Violence is an energy
From here to eternity
Violence is an energy
Silence is the enemy
So gimme gimme revolution"

John F. Kennedy said "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." And this line is probably saying that if violence is the only way to liberate yourself from all of this B.S. In our lives, then so be it.

"Silence is the enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul"

Being a quiet little citizen and not voicing your opinion or voting or anything is wrong and keeps you from getting anywhere against the problems facing out society. "Rally up the demons of your soul" means to voice your opinion, show what you really think, and don't be afraid to do it. We have freedom of speech for a reason.
Rise Against's lead singer Tim McIlrath said: "The real revolution start's at learning, if your not angry, then your not paying attention" and "Know Your Enemy" is supporting that idea.