Song meaning
Brett: "Television is pretty self explanatory but basically it's saying that television is probably one of the most corrosive things is our culture, probably one of the most harmful things invented by mankind."[1]
Brett: "Most people don't realize that Television, Television, Television, is deliberately repeated, in the same exact fashion as the Hallelujahs, in the Hallelujah Choir, the point being that TV is analogous to religion in the modern world."
General
Television was written by Brett and Johnette Napolitano. Tim Armstrong contributed lead vocals.
Brett: "I happen to like the song 'Television' very much and Tim Armstrong is one of my favorite singers of all time."
Jay: "Television starts with me first (Television - Television - etc) then Brett, then Greg in the harmonies... the first part of the verse is sung by Tim Armstrong and the second half is Graffin..."
Played Live
The band played the song during the 2016 Vox Populi Tour. Jay initially sang Tim Armstong's part on September 30th, 2016, however, he had difficulties signing it. Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! took over the part for the remainder of the tour.[2][3][4]
References
- Roger Vulture interview with Brett (1996) ↩
- instagram.com - jaybentleys ↩
- YouTube.com - 9-30-16 Bad Religion, Television (live) ↩
- YouTube.com - 10-18-2016 Bad Religion, Television (live) ↩