BadReligion.fun

In All Ages, this song is sometimes referred to as “General Sometimes” or “We’re Only Gonna Die From Our Own Arrogance.” The inspiration for the lyrics came from the book Origins by Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin, which Greg received as a Christmas gift in 1979. The book explores the evolution of human beings from our ape-like ancestors. The last lines of Origins emphasize the importance of peaceful and equitable survival for humanity and highlight the irony of departing this earth through arrogance.

For Greg Graffin, “(We’re Only Gonna Die)” became a defining statement for Bad Religion. It showcased his commitment to a coherent naturalistic worldview and the compatibility between arts and sciences. The scientific worldview served as his inspiration as a songwriter.

The song’s meaning, according to Graffin, revolves around the arrogance of believing that we can continue with mass consumerism and ignore the disparities in quality of life on our planet. He emphasizes the need to acknowledge these realities and warns of the dangers of ignoring them.

Some listeners may not have noticed the piano in the song. It can be heard from the beginning, accompanying the acoustic guitar, and becomes more prominent during the word “took.” The piano’s pace quickens along with the vocals until it stops at “mind.”

“We’re Only Gonna Die” has been covered by Biohazard, Sublime, and the Trippin’ Daisies. Additionally, the song can be heard in the movie Glory Daze.