The Same Person

Song details

Bad Religion original
Yes
First released
1998
First release
No Substance (album)
Songwriters
Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Brian Baker

Lyrics

The Same Person

You want prosperity For yourself, but not for me. Somehow you just can't see We're in this collectively. You think that freedom is A drastic severance From your past relations Just a quest for new bargains. We're not the same person, We're not the same person. Don't even wanna know. Wo-o-oh. Don't need no good advice Nor shoddy merchandise, I'm the suspect device Beaten down, unable to strike. We're not the same person, We're not the same person. Don't even wanna know. Wo-o-oh. And the sun comes over us again, We lament, we pine, and we rescind And we ask for understanding, But aren't we the stingy ones indeed When it's needed from us in the end? We watch the days go by, Compete and then we die. So few ever ask why, But so many just abuse the design. We're not the same person, We're not the same person. Don't even wanna know. Wo-o-oh.

Versions & recordings

Grouped by recording

2

Song statistics

Archive coverage at a glance

43release versions
#148

148th most featured song

3documented shows
#188

188th most played song

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Song Interpretations

What do you think this song is about? Share your interpretation and explain your reasoning.

4

walderJul 31, 2013 · edited Jul 31, 2013
It reminds me issue raised in the songs "Parallel" and "Nobody listens". Phony separate lifes and destinations while the causes of problems during the life are still the same. The more people strife to step back and focus on their lifes only the most they suffer, as some kind of chain reaction ensues because more and more people start acting that way.

[small]Edited by walder[/small]
KavoJul 10, 2010
I think it's about thinking outside the box. Not agreeing with most peoples view on life. I also like the Stiff Little Fingers reference.
legacy memberJun 12, 2008 · edited Date unknown
I would liken it to a father-son relationship.
legacy memberDec 27, 2004 · edited Date unknown

Well, seems like a very classic Bad Religion theme, people always lamenting how bad they are treatened but not doing or caring shit about the way our society in general is fucked up. Egoistic bastards!: "You want prosperity For yourself, but not for me", "We lament, we pine, and we rescind And we ask for understanding But arent't we the stingy ones indeed When it's needed from us in the end?" show this clearly. Peopl…

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Well, seems like a very classic Bad Religion theme, people always lamenting how bad they are treatened but not doing or caring shit about the way our society in general is fucked up. Egoistic bastards!: "You want prosperity
For yourself, but not for me", "We lament, we pine, and we rescind
And we ask for understanding
But arent't we the stingy ones indeed
When it's needed from us in the end?" show this clearly. People only caring for themselves will never save us and are the last ones who should complain. And that is probably why Graffin is shouting out "we are not the same person!", kinda drawing the line, like "don't get me mixed up with YOU, I am NOT like you and GLAD about that!". A subtle "fuck you!" and also a dissociation.