*Trigger warning: lyrics to this song include references to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with these thoughts or actions, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255*
You might have heard the saying “Let the good times roll”, but The Offspring is offering the exact opposite. They gave us a taste of their upcoming tenth album, Let the Bad Times Roll by releasing their titular single.
“Let the Bad Times Roll” is an upbeat song consisting of guitar, drums, and bass. The first time I listened to it, it somewhat reminded me of “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” by Train. So if you’re a fan of music like Train’s, you’ll like this song.
While upbeat, the song covers some pretty dark topics. It makes references to problematic situations occurring in the world right now regarding racism and immoral behavior. In the chorus, the band sings “Hey Lincoln, how does your grave roll?”, implying that President Abraham Lincoln would not be happy with the racial injustice happening in the country that he once fought hard to end.
The Offspring sings “Let me know when you decide/ Apathy or suicide” in the chorus of this single. These lyrics mean that people can either develop a non-caring attitude or die. Of course, nobody should actually choose one of these options, but these lyrics mean that the world is such a messy place that we as humans can do nothing about it.
While I understand what The Offspring is saying in the chorus of “Let the Bad Times Roll”, I do think they’re wrong. Humans would be surprised at how much they can change the world. It won’t always be easy to do so, but you can sure try.
Let the Bad Times Roll is to be released on April 16, 2021.