Los Angeles Is Burning

Bad Religion

About Los Angeles Is Burning

"Los Angeles Is Burning" is a single by the punk rock band Bad Religion from their 2004 album The Empire Strikes First. "Los Angeles Is Burning" was released to radio on April 27, 2004. The song reached number 40 on the Modern Rock Tracks in July 2004.


3:23

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Somewhere high in the desert near a curtain of blue
Saint Ann's skirts are billowing
But down here in the city of limelights
The fans of Santa Ana are withering

And you can't deny the living is easy
If you never look behind the scenery
It's showtime for dry climes
And Bedlam is dreaming of rain

When the hills of Los Angeles are burning
Palm trees are candles in the murder wind
So many lives are on the breeze
Even the stars are ill at ease
And Los Angeles is burning

This is not a test
Of the emergency broadcast system
When Malibu fires and radio towers
Conspire to dance again

And I cannot believe the media Mecca
They're only trying to peddle reality, catch it on
Primetime, story at nine
The whole world is going insane

When the hills of Los Angeles are burning
Palm trees are candles in the murder wind
So many lives are on the breeze
Even the stars are ill at ease
And Los Angeles is burning

A placard reads the end of days
Jacaranda boughs are bending in the haze
More a question than a curse
How could hell be any worse?
The flames are starting
The camera's running
So take warning

When the hills of Los Angeles are burning
Palm trees are candles in the murder wind
So many lives are on the breeze
Even the stars are ill at ease
And Los Angeles is burning

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Bad Religion

Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. The band makes extensive use of soaring 3-part vocal harmonies (which they refer to in their album liner notes as the "oozin' aahs"), guitar solos and intellectual lyrics that often contain political or religious commentary. Their lyrics often relate to matters of social responsibility. The band's lineup has changed several times over its lifespan, with lead vocalist Greg Graffin being the only consistent member; the current lineup, however, features three out of four of the band's original members (Graffin, Brett Gurewitz and Jay Bentley). more »

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Written by: GREG GRAFFIN, BRETT GUREWITZ

Lyrics © MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Background
"Bad Religion" is an American punk band that formed in 1980 in Los Angeles, California. Their socio-political commentary and complex harmonies make them a distinctive force in punk rock. Greg Graffin is the band's perennial lead vocalist, with Brett Gurewitz on guitar, both co-writers of the song "Los Angeles Is Burning".
Song Title
The song "Los Angeles Is Burning" takes its name from the wildfires that frequently ravage Southern California. These are often high-profile news stories, enamoring media due to the threat they pose to celebrity homes, and are a common yearly occurrence for locals.
Release
"Los Angeles Is Burning" was released on their fourteenth studio album, "The Empire Strikes First", which was released by Epitaph Records in June 2004.
Theme
The lyrics of the song capture the surreal experience of living amidst these wildfires, likening them to the biblical apocalypse, and interlaces criticism of media sensationalism within the narrative. There’s a socio-political undertone to the song, as is characteristic of most Bad Religion's discography.
Music Video
The music video for the song features the band playing amid an apocalyptic landscape complete with exploding gas stations, falling airplanes, and towering fires - a vivid portrayal of the song's narrative.
Chart Performance
The song did quite well, reaching number 40 on the "Modern Rock Tracks" chart published by Billboard in 2004.
Cultural References
"Los Angeles Is Burning" has had some influence over pop culture. It was featured in video games like Tony Hawk's Underground 2 and Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. Also, it was featured in films like Lords of Dogtown.
Band’s Perspective
In several interviews, members of Bad Religion have said that the metaphoric nature of the song is about observing the world as the old norms of society continuously burn and change.
Critical Reception
Critics praised "Los Angeles Is Burning" for its melodic hooks, edgy instrumentation, and incisive lyrics.
Live Performance
"Los Angeles Is Burning" has become a staple of the band's live performances, reflecting its status as one of their most popular songs.

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