Make It Stop (September's Children)

Last updated

"Make It Stop (September's Children)"
Make It Stop (September's Children).jpg
Single by Rise Against
from the album Endgame
B-side "Lanterns"
ReleasedMay 30, 2011
Recorded The Blasting Room, Fort Collins, Colorado
Genre
Length3:55
Label
Songwriter(s) Rise Against
Producer(s)
Rise Against singles chronology
"Help Is on the Way"
(2011)		"Make It Stop (September's Children)"
(2011)		"Satellite"
(2011)
Audio sample
Make It Stop (September's Children)

"Make It Stop (September's Children)" 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. [2] 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.

Contents

Song meaning

In an article for Punknews.org, lead singer Tim McIlrath revealed that "a number of events were the catalyst for the creation of Make It Stop, everything from the suicides in September 2010, to our own fans voicing their fears and insecurities from time to time. I decided to create the song as a response, and when I discovered the It Gets Better campaign and [It Gets Better Project co-founder] Dan Savage's commitment to such an important and concise message, I was moved." [3] McIlrath was also concerned that hard rock could be considered a vehicle for homophobia, as historically the genre has been LGBT-unfriendly, and wanted to make a song to counter such concerns. [4]

The song explicitly deals with the bullying and harassment LGBT youth face. According to McIlrath, "The message is: It can get better, it does get better, give it a chance to get better, don't end your life prematurely." [5]

Toward the end of the track, the first five of the nine names of the September 2010 suicides are read aloud: (Tyler Clementi, age 18; Billy Lucas, age 15; Harrison Chase Brown, age 15; Cody J. Barker, age 17; Seth Walsh, age 13). The last four names: Felix Sacco, age 17; Asher Brown, age 13; Caleb Nolt, age 14; and Raymond Chase, age 19, are read aloud over the course of the next two verses but are overshadowed by the main lyrics.

Reception

"Make It Stop (September's Children)" received positive reviews from critics. Thomas Nassiff of AbsolutePunk wrote that despite its more accessible sound, "[the] song becomes an example of the way that radio-ready rock music should be written". [6] Scott Heisel of Alternative Press noted that the song borrows the guitar opening from "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, but characterized the lyrics as "more pointed than Billie Joe Armstrong's have ever been". [7] Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic described the children's choir and spoken names during the bridge as "effective devices employed to bring awareness to such a worthwhile issue". [8] Conversely, Jason Heller of The A.V. Club criticized the children's choir, noting that it "sends the song flying into a tear-filled well of self-parody". [9]

Commercially, "Make It Stop (September's Children)" reached several music charts, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart, number twelve on the Czech Republic Modern Rock chart, [10] and number twenty-nine on the Mexico Ingles Airplay chart. [11]

Music video

In this scene, a teenage girl finds her locker covered in homophobic slurs, such as "dyke" and "fag". Make it Stop screenshot.PNG
In this scene, a teenage girl finds her locker covered in homophobic slurs, such as "dyke" and "fag".

The accompanying music video was directed by Marc Klasfeld and filmed at Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, the same school McIlrath attended as a student. The video was a collaboration with the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit organization that aims to prevent suicide within the LGBT community. [12]

The music video was nominated for the "Best Video with a Message" award at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, but lost to Born This Way by Lady Gaga. [13] [14]

Charts

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim McIlrath</span> American rock musician (born 1978)

Timothy James McIlrath is an American rock musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the punk rock band Rise Against. He is vegan and straight edge.

<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">Re-Education (Through Labor)</span> 2008 single by Rise Against

"Re-Education " 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. A music video was released on the same day.

<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">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.

"Tragedy + Time" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against. The song was released as the second single from their seventh album, titled The Black Market. The song impacted radio on October 21, 2014. According to lead singer Tim McIlrath, the title of the song comes from the phrase "tragedy plus time equals comedy". The song is a playable track in Guitar Hero Live.

<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. ↑ "10 emo songs with lyrics that are even sadder than you thought". Alternative Press . March 11, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  2. ↑ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. May 24, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Videos: Rise Against: "Make it Stop (September's Children)"". Punknews.org. June 21, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Rise Against Encourages Young Gay Fans That 'It Gets Better'". Billboard .
  5. ↑ Montgomery, James (June 20, 2011). "Rise Against's 'Make It Stop' Tackles Bullying, Suicide". MTV . Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  6. ↑ Nassiff, Thomas. "Rise Against - Endgame". AbsolutePunk . Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  7. ↑ Heisel, Scott (February 28, 2011). "Rise Against - Endgame - Alternative Press". Alternative Press . Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ Boy, Davey (March 14, 2011). "Review: Rise Against - Endgame | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ Heller, Jason (March 15, 2011). "Rise Against: Endgame". The A.V. Club . Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "IFPI ČR Hitparáda - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock Týden - 2011_51,52" (in Czech). IFPI Czech Republic . Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Mexico Ingles Airplay: October 15, 2011 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard . Retrieved May 17, 2016.(subscription required)
  12. ↑ ""Make It Stop (September's Children) Video Premiere". riseagainst.com. June 21, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  13. ↑ Kavner, Lucas (August 28, 2011). "VMAs 2011: 'Best Video With A Message' Category Premieres Tonight". The Huffington Post . Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  14. ↑ Hogan, Marc (August 29, 2011). "Katy Perry Wins Big, Beyonce Shines at VMAs". Spin . Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Rise Against Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Rise Against Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Rock Songs Year End 2011". Billboard . Retrieved October 12, 2015.
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.