Bad Religion – Kerosene

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  General Comment:I always thought there was a more general meaning to this song as well. With the rich/poor divide and the fact that some people are born to win (Bush for example) and others will never get the opportunity to make the best of their potential, a lot of people feel locked out of any real interaction with society. The bit about building a funeral pyre makes me think of those sort of people that get so angry with the situation that they decide to force the world to notice them, like Tim McVeigh or Ted Kascinski.

  Flag angelbrainon April 28, 2012   Link

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  General Comment:If I remember correctly the song and lyrics were both written by Mr. Brett, Bad Religion's guitarist, and not Greg Graffin as with most of their songs. He wrote it after having been homeless himself for some time and it's clearly about his feelings of loneliness and alienation at that time. Also some of the lyrics are listed here incorrectly and should read:
  
  "Everywhere I look I see exclusive, huddled, uninviting...
  Shelter is a privilege of the SANE and competent."
  
  and
  
  "Exposure is a pitiful and pointless way of dying.
  Before it gets me I'll BUILD a funeral pyre."
  
  These two words are important to the meaning of the song - indicating both the inability of the homeless protagonist to help himself out of his difficulties (he is or feels neither sane nor competent) and his desperate attempt to take back some control (he will build a pyre like society has built the structures he is not permitted access to and which later rage against him).
  
  This song always makes me feel very emotional both because it is beautifully written and also because it reminds me of how often a society at large will turn a blind eye to its weakest, most defenseless citizens instead of giving them the help they need. But like the song says, a man is a man and no matter how callously he is treated his dignity cannot be stripped from him by the uncaring actions of others. A beautiful piece of music :)

  Flag Carcosaon November 07, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:this song is absolutly about homlessness. how could it not be?

  Flag bluntpunkon October 06, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:I worked at a men's homeless shelter for three years (Portland, OR) and this song makes complete sense to me.

  Flag DeeEl1on September 09, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:yea the optimism of the homeless is portrayed kinda. nice :-)

  Flag pinkfadeon March 02, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:im sure he thinks it because he mentions making a funeral pyre before he freezes to death.
  
  This is just a misunderstanding of a funeral pyre, which is used to cremate people AFTER they die.

  Flag protogodon September 27, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Yes, i also agree qith Absolut; fruitcake, just where did you come up with that interpretation?!?! (just curious)

  Flag bloodybitchon April 02, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I agree with Absolut, and I have no idea how you got that interpretation, fruitcake.
  
  "uninviting shelter
  is privilege
  of the same and competent"
  ^ It's sane and competent...one of the best quotes ever.
  
  "exposure is a pitiful
  and pointless way of dying
  before it gets me
  I'll set a funeral pyre"
  ^ Another great line.

  Flag gofuckyourselfon March 03, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:I always thought this song was about the homeless and the lack of respect that they get. The kerosene is their way of keeping warm but also their way of taking back some little bit of control with the power that fire gives them to matter.

  Flag Absoluton August 31, 2005   Link

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  General Comment:I always thought this song was about the homeless and the lack of respect that they get. The kerosene is their way of keeping warm but also their way of taking back some little bit of control with the power that fire gives them to matter.

  Flag Absoluton August 31, 2005   Link

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