Protest 100: Black Flag – ‘Rise Above’

Artist:          Black Flag

Song:           Rise Above

Album:        Damaged

Producer:    Spot

Label:          SST

Year:           1981

Notes:
Know that it doesn’t have to be how it is. Get incensed. Rise above.

The first track on the band’s first album, it reprised this role in 2002 as the lead-off titular track to ‘Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three.’ Recorded by the Rollins Band the tribute album featured rotating guest vocalists including Chuck D, Iggy Pop, Dean Ween, Mike Patton, Corey Taylor, Lemmy, Tom Araya, Ryan Adams and lots of others.

Excerpt from ‘Unreality’  —
“Household’s next words, much to his surprise and contentment, came naturally.”

Lyrics:
Jealous cowards try to control
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
They distort what we say
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
Try and stop what we do
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
When they can’t do it themselves
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above

We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, it’s no use

Society’s arms of control
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
Think they’re smart, can’t think for themselves
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
Laugh at us behind our backs
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
I find satisfaction in what they lack
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above

We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, but it’s no use

We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, but it’s no use

We’re born with a chance
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
I am gonna have my chance
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
We are born with a chance
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above
And I am gonna have my chance
Rise above, we’re gonna rise above

We are tired of your abuse
Try to stop us, it’s no use
Rise above
Rise above
Rise above
We’re gonna rise above
We’re gonna rise above
We’re gonna rise above

‘…West Memphis Three’ version

—

‘Protest 100’s mission is two-fold: dispelling the myth that heavy metal is a brainless, socially unaware music genre, and raising awareness of the issues facing our country in the Nov. 3, 2020 election. The path won’t be exclusively metal—some punk and rap and other stuff will be in here too, including the classics—and is not a ranking. All songs are songs I’ve heard while putting this list together, ordered in a manner designed to entertain and educate.