Los Angeles Is Burning
Encyclopedia
"Los Angeles Is Burning" is the first single by punk band Bad Religion
from their 2004 album The Empire Strikes First
. The song reached number 40 on the Modern Rock Tracks
in July 2004.
, the lyrics argue that the media is sensationalistic. The music video features men with cameras replacing their heads firing flame into the animated landscape of Los Angeles
. It was written at a time when there was a major fire nearby, but Bentley makes clear that the song was using the fire as a metaphor.
. People with cameras replacing their heads shoot fire out their mouths. Frontman Greg Graffin
plays a psychotic newsreporter which reads messages like "We're not trying to brainwash you". In the end the entire city goes up in flames.
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
from their 2004 album The Empire Strikes First
The Empire Strikes First
The Empire Strikes First is the thirteenth studio album by Bad Religion released on June 8, 2004.-Title inspiration:The title is a reference to the new Bush Doctrine of preventive war, and a play on the name of the popular Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back.-Lyrics:Although some of the album...
. The song reached number 40 on the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
in July 2004.
Meaning and composition
According to bassist Jay BentleyJay Bentley
Jay Dee Bentley is the bassist and co-founding member of the punk rock group Bad Religion. He has played with the band through its whole existence with a small break between 1983 and 1985.-Bad Religion:...
, the lyrics argue that the media is sensationalistic. The music video features men with cameras replacing their heads firing flame into the animated landscape of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. It was written at a time when there was a major fire nearby, but Bentley makes clear that the song was using the fire as a metaphor.
Music video
The music video is shot in cut-out animation and depicts a guy in a track singlet and shorts with a Crossbuster (Bad Religion's logo which features a black cross with a red prohibition sign over it) on it running through an apocalyptic Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. People with cameras replacing their heads shoot fire out their mouths. Frontman Greg Graffin
Greg Graffin
Gregory Walter Graffin, Ph.D. is an American punk rock musician, college professor, and author. He is most recognized as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the noted Los Angeles band Bad Religion, which he co-founded in 1979 and is the band's only constant member, even though it now features two...
plays a psychotic newsreporter which reads messages like "We're not trying to brainwash you". In the end the entire city goes up in flames.
Trivia
- Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty and the HeartbreakersTom Petty And The Heartbreakers are an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida. They were formed in 1976 by Tom Petty , Mike Campbell , Benmont Tench , , Ron Blair and Stan Lynch...
contributed to the guitar on this track. - The song also makes a reference to the first Bad Religion albumHow Could Hell Be Any Worse?How Could Hell Be Any Worse? is the first full-length album released by influential punk band Bad Religion, which was released on June 1, 1981. Released months after the release of their self-titled EP, it was financed by a $1,000 loan by guitarist Brett Gurewitz's father. Its success surprised the...
, "more a question than a curse, how could hell be any worse?". - In an ironic twist, the song has been repeatedly used by America's NBA to promote the Los Angeles Lakers when they are flourishing, choosing the 'burning' imagery in connection when players get 'on fire', instead of the darker, truer meaning of the song.
Charts
| Chart (2004) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 40 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
67 |