Friends in the Armed Forces

Album: Common Existence (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This stripped-down post-hardcore anthem lyrically balances between Pro-American and Anti-War sentiments. Frontman Geoff Rickly explained to MTV News: "I think it's a really false split between the two, because I'm an anti-war person, but I have plenty of friends who are soldiers and I care about them. I think trying to make a decision like, 'Oh, you're a pacifist; that means you're anti-soldier and you don't support the troops,' is a terrible lie to put people in the middle of. So this song was about being a pacifist and caring about your friends that are in the armed forces."
  • Quicksand's Walter Schrieffels provides backing vocals on this track.
  • Rickly explained to MTV News the reasoning behind the Common Existence album title: "I just liked the idea that the record is about the shared existence of people in general. It's not so much 'me, me, me and my personal story.' I feel like so much punk rock right now is turned inward and it's like an outgrowing of emo becoming mainstream music. I really wanted to say it's just the same thing everybody goes through - that's 'common existence.' That's what life is. No one needs to get worked up about it."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.