Re-Education (Through Labor)

Last updated
"Re-Education (Through Labor)"
Riseagainst-reeducation.jpg
Single by Rise Against
from the album Appeal to Reason
ReleasedAugust 25, 2008
Recorded The Blasting Room, Fort Collins, Colorado
Genre Punk rock
Length3:42
Label
Songwriter(s) Rise Against
Producer(s)
Rise Against singles chronology
"The Good Left Undone"
(2007)		"Re-Education (Through Labor)"
(2008)		"Audience of One"
(2009)

"Re-Education (Through Labor)" is the first single from American punk rock band Rise Against's fifth studio album, Appeal to Reason . The single was released digitally to digital stores and radio stations on August 26, 2008. [1] A music video was released on the same day.

Contents

A limited physical version of the single was released on 7" vinyl and can be obtained exclusively by pre-ordering Appeal to Reason. This version also includes a B-side titled "Minor Threat", which is a cover of the eponymous song by Minor Threat. [2]

The single's fifth week on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart made "Re-Education (Through Labor)" Rise Against's second-highest charting single to date, hitting number five. It has since reached a peak of number three. The band's previous highest charting single on the Alternative Songs chart was "The Good Left Undone", the third single from the band's previous album, which peaked at number 6. "Re-Education (Through Labor)" is also Rise Against's first song to appear on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Recording and composition

"Re-Education (Through Labor)" was written Rise Against, with lyrics by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath, and produced by Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. Stevenson and Livermore engineered the song with Andrew Berlin, while Chris Lord-Alge assisted as the mixer. It was recorded at the Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado and was mastered by Ted Jensen. [3] Rise Against released the song as the Appeal to Reason 's first single on August 25, 2008. [4]

"Re-Education (Through Labor)" is a punk rock song that opens with a heavy metal guitar riff. [5] [6] John Hanson of Sputnikmusic commented that "Re-Education (Through Labor)" sounds similar to another Rise Against song, "Ready to Fall". [6] Lyrically, it is noted for being one of more politically motivated tracks from Appeal to Reason. [7] According to McIlrath, the lyrics are about "the 9-to-5, dog-eat-dog lifestyle, and what we are asked to do to simply make ends meet nowadays". [8] Some music journalists have also discussed the song's meaning, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic writing that the lyrics "strike out against the slow dumbing down of America", [9] while Aaron Burgess of The A.V. Club asserted that the song accuses United States President George W. Bush of fascism. [5]

Music video

Released on September 22, 2008, the song's music video was directed by Kevin Kerslake (Faith No More, Green Day), filmed in the band's home city of Chicago and features members of the Chicago branch of the Moped Army and their mopeds. The video begins with a quote from President John F. Kennedy: "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable." It frequently switches between scenes of the band playing in the basement of an abandoned cinema and an army of moped riders. The group drives around Chicago and drops backpacks, presumably bombs, in various locations. The closing scene shows the row of moped riders watching the city burn in the night after the bombs have detonated.

McIlrath admitted that the music video is slightly political, in a way that makes it universally relatable. He explained, "One of the great things about doing a video is that your imagination is the only thing that's limiting you, so you can do anything. So we have a video that's going to encompass the anger and the angst that the youth of America feel toward society at large and the things that are demanded of them." [8]

There is another version of this video, with informative statistics on subjects such as deforestation, the death of children, and others. This version is called "uncensored", because the original video does not show any of this information.

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Re-Education (Through Labor)"3:42
2."Minor Threat" (live Minor Threat cover)1:40

Charts

Chart (2008)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles [10] 12
Hot Canadian Digital Singles [11] 56
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks [12] 22
U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks [12] 3
Canadian Hot 100 [13] 63

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [14] Gold500,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Siren Song of the Counter Culture</i> 2004 studio album by Rise Against

Siren Song of the Counter Culture is the third studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. Released on August 10, 2004, it was Rise Against's first album on a major record label, after the band signed with DreamWorks Records in September 2003. The recording sessions for the album with producer Garth Richardson were mostly split between two studios in British Columbia. These sessions were marred by numerous distractions and inconveniences, such as the absorption of DreamWorks into Geffen Records, the arrival of a new guitarist, accusations of the band selling out, and the birth of lead vocalist Tim McIlrath's child.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rise Against</span> American punk rock band

Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1999. The group's current line-up comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist Tim McIlrath, lead guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe and drummer Brandon Barnes. Rooted in hardcore punk and melodic hardcore, Rise Against's music emphasizes melody, catchy hooks, an aggressive sound and playstyle, and rapid tempos. Lyrically, the band is known for their outspoken social commentary, covering a wide range of topics such as political injustice, animal rights, humanitarianism, and environmentalism.

<i>Revolutions per Minute</i> (Rise Against album) 2003 studio album by Rise Against

Revolutions per Minute is the second studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on April 8, 2003, by Fat Wreck Chords. After establishing a fanbase with their 2001 debut, The Unraveling, the band members wanted to record an album that distinguished them from other Fat Wreck Chords bands of the time. They chose Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore to produce the album, with whom they developed a strong rapport. Recording took place from November to December 2002 at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado.

<i>The Sufferer & the Witness</i> 2006 studio album by Rise Against

The Sufferer & the Witness is the fourth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on July 4, 2006. A melodic hardcore album, it comprises thirteen tracks that focus on melody, catchy hooks, and rapid-paced tempo. Social and political issues as well as the concept of self-reflection constitute the majority of the lyrical content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ready to Fall</span> 2006 single by Rise Against

"Ready to Fall" is the first single by the punk rock band Rise Against from their fourth studio album, The Sufferer & The Witness (2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swing Life Away</span> 2005 single by Rise Against

"Swing Life Away" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against. It is an acoustic ballad, with a sharp guitar sound and optimistic lyrics about daily life and the working class. The song was first included in the 2003 compilation album Punk Goes Acoustic, and was later expanded upon in the band's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It All</span> 2004 single by Rise Against

"Give It All" is a song by American rock band Rise Against. It was originally recorded for the 2004 compilation album Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1, while a slightly altered version appeared on the band's third studio album Siren Song of the Counter Culture later that year. It is a hardcore punk song, with lyrics that are about "being a punk rocker in today's world," according to lead vocalist Tim McIlrath. It was released as Siren Song of the Counter Culture's first single in October 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prayer of the Refugee</span> 2006 single by Rise Against

"Prayer of the Refugee" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against, featured on their fourth studio album The Sufferer & the Witness (2006). The lyrics were written by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath, and deal with the themes of forced displacement and the societal issues surrounding refugees. The song uses a contrasting verse-chorus form, with slow and melancholic verses against fast-paced and chaotic choruses. It was released as The Sufferer & the Witness's second single on December 6, 2006.

<i>Appeal to Reason</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Rise Against

Appeal to Reason is the fifth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. It was released on October 7, 2008. A melodic hardcore album, Appeal to Reason marked a musical shift from the gritty hardcore punk sound that had previously defined the band's career to what some have viewed as a more radio-friendly sound, with greater emphasis on production and bigger, more anthemic choruses. The album's lyrics primarily focus on political issues in the United States, such as the Iraq War and the Bush administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rise Against discography</span>

The discography of the American punk rock band Rise Against consists of nine studio albums, two compilation album, eleven extended plays, twenty singles, four promotional singles, two documentaries, and twenty-five music videos. The band was formed in 1999, under the original name Transistor Revolt. After signing a recording contract with Fat Wreck Chords, they changed their name to Rise Against, and released The Unraveling in 2001, and Revolutions Per Minute in 2003. Rise Against switched to Geffen Records the following year, and made its major record label debut with Siren Song of the Counter Culture. In addition to becoming the band's first album to reach the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number 136, the success of the singles "Give It All" and "Swing Life Away" helped Rise Against achieve mainstream appeal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audience of One (song)</span> 2009 single by Rise Against

"Audience of One" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against, written by the band's frontman Tim McIlrath. It is the second single from their 2008 album Appeal to Reason. Hitting number four on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, "Audience of One" is Rise Against's third-highest charting single, behind the previous single from Appeal to Reason, "Re-Education ", which peaked at number three and the third single "Savior".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savior (Rise Against song)</span> 2009 single by Rise Against

"Savior" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against, featured on their fifth studio album Appeal to Reason (2008). In contrast to the social and political topics normally discussed in Rise Against songs, "Savior" is about forgiveness and broken relationships. It is a punk rock song, with a "frenetic pace" that John Hanson of Sputnikmusic described as reminiscent of tracks from the band's 2003 album Revolutions per Minute. It was released as Appeal to Reason's third single on June 3, 2009.

<i>Endgame</i> (Rise Against album) 2011 studio album by Rise Against

Endgame is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. It was released on March 15, 2011, by DGC Records and Interscope Records. A melodic hardcore album, Endgame continues the trend by Rise Against towards more crisp, polished production, which began with the band's previous album Appeal to Reason. Social and political commentary constitute the majority of the lyrical content on Endgame, and a major theme revolves around the end of humanity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Help Is on the Way</span> 2011 single by Rise Against

"Help Is On the Way" is a song by American rock band Rise Against, featured on their sixth studio album Endgame (2011). Inspired by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath's visit to New Orleans, the song is about the slow response time for aid to disaster stricken areas. It incorporates elements of punk rock and melodic hardcore, with lyrics that allude to Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. "Help Is On the Way" premiered on KROQ-FM on January 17, 2011, and was later released as Endgame's lead single on January 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Make It Stop (September's Children)</span> 2011 single by Rise Against

"Make It Stop " is the second single from rock band Rise Against's sixth studio album, Endgame. The single was released to digital music outlets on May 30, 2011. The song hit radio stations the following day. It peaked at number six on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart and number eight on Billboard's Rock Songs chart. The song is part of the It Gets Better Project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satellite (Rise Against song)</span> 2011 single by Rise Against

"Satellite" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against, featured on their sixth studio album Endgame (2011). Written by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath, "Satellite" is a melodic hardcore song expressing the idea that the band stood by their social and political beliefs, and that they would not conform to mainstream media. The song first premiered on March 4, 2011 in a webisode series detailing the recording process of Endgame, but was not released as the album's third single until November 1, 2011. The song impacted radio on the same day.

"Wait for Me" is a song by American rock band Rise Against, featured on their sixth studio album Endgame (2011). The song impacted radio on June 12, 2012. Written by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath, the track is notable for being one of the slower songs off the album. It was released as a promotional single in 2012, and was the final single released for Endgame. The song received positive reviews, with praise for its slower and methodical nature. It reached number 14 on the US Rock Songs chart, and was featured on the "Best Songs of the year" lists by KROQ-FM and WSUN-FM.

<i>The Black Market</i> (Rise Against album) 2014 studio album by Rise Against

The Black Market is the seventh studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on July 15, 2014 through Interscope Records. A melodic hardcore album, The Black Market comprises twelve songs that focus on mid-tempo rhythm, vocal hooks, and strong bridge sections. The album's thematically introspective lyrics are a departure from the band's typical social and political topics, and revolve around dark subject matter.

<i>Wolves</i> (Rise Against album) 2017 studio album by Rise Against

Wolves is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band Rise Against. It was released on June 9, 2017. It is their first studio album since 2004's Siren Song of the Counter Culture to be produced by the band without long time producers, Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore, and their only studio album to be released through Virgin Records. The album's lead single, "The Violence", was released on April 20, 2017. Two more songs, "House on Fire" and "Welcome to the Breakdown" were released on May 19 and June 2, respectively, as pre-release buzz tracks.

References

  1. ↑ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. August 19, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Pre-Order Appeal To Reason on Interpunk/Smartpunk" Geffen. Retrieved on August 22, 2008.
  3. ↑ Appeal to Reason (liner notes). Rise Against. DGC Records, Interscope Records. 2008.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ "Re-Education (Through Labor)" (CD single). Rise Against. Geffen Records. 2008.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. 1 2 Burgess, Aaron (October 6, 2008). "Rise Against: Appeal To Reason". The A.V. Club . Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  6. 1 2 Hanson, John (October 7, 2008). "Rise Against - Appeal to Reason Review". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ Thompson, Ed (October 7, 2008). "Rise Against - Appeal to Reason". IGN . Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  8. 1 2 Harris, Chris (September 19, 2008). "Rise Against Claims There's Nothing Radical About Appeal to Reason". MTV . Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  9. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Rise Against - Appeal to Reason". AllMusic.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  10. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles - Re-Education (Through Labor)" Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  11. ↑ "Hot Canadian Digital Singles - Re-Education (Through Labor)" Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-10-4.
  12. 1 2 "Artist Chart History - Rise Against" Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  13. ↑ "Canadian Hot 100 - Re-Education (Through Labor)" Billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  14. ↑ "American single certifications – Rise Against – Re-Education". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved August 15, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.