Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “Raise Hell” by Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile’s song “Raise Hell” encourages us to rally against any sort of adversity we may be facing. Throughout the song she spells out a call to arms to “raise hell” against any social, cultural, or external restrictions that limit our freedom and our ability to create our own identities.
The lyrics of the song ask listeners to never accept the status quo, reminding them that we all have the ability to resist conformity and be true to ourselves. Throughout the song she outlines various specific examples of oppressive social forces such as “rules and regulations,” “church and the state,” and certain “limited expectations” which which all work to constrain our individual expression.
The song also suggests that we rise against these forces with force; specifically, “raise hell and storm the gates” to actively oppose any oppressive structure that keeps us from achieving autonomy and fulfilling our own unique potentials. Carlile asserts in the song that by doing this, we can create our own “heaven on earth” and that it is our collective responsibility to “keep the faith.”
The song ultimately serves as a reminder that we all have the power within us to challenge the status quo and to be our own agents of change. While taking a stand can be daunting, these lyrics suggest that by working together we can create a “new age” in which to be ourselves and to shape our own destinies. It encourages us to break out of our own boxes and to be brave enough to raise hell and challenge the oppression we may face.