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As McIlrath felt that news outlets were quick to discuss less important stories following the disaster, he compiled his thoughts and wrote the song's lyrics.

#Listaway help how to#

While he had initially gone to discuss with local musicians how to merge politics with music, he was able to visit several areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flood, such as the Lower Ninth Ward. McIlrath wrote the lyrics, which were inspired by a trip he took to New Orleans. Singer Tim McIlrath maintains clean vocals throughout the majority of the song, but temporarily switches to screaming vocals during the bridge. During the first and second verses, the lyrics allude to Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, as well as their affects on the Gulf Coast of the United States and the city of New Orleans. Lyrically, 'Help Is on the Way' is about the slow response time for aid to disaster stricken areas. It is composed in the key G minor, with a melody that spans a tonal range of D 4 to Bв™ 5.

'Help Is on the Way' is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 108 beats per minute. John Fortunato of The Aquarian Weekly described the song as a 'menacingly anthemic, phlegm-clearing diatribe'. 'Help Is on the Way' is a rock song containing elements of punk rock and melodic hardcore. Problems playing this file? See media help. The accompanying music video depicts an African-American family, as they attempt to escape increasing floodwater levels that engulf their neighborhood. It peaked at eighty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached number two on the Hot Rock Songs chart. Despite the mixed reception, it remains one of the band's highest-charting singles to date. 'Help Is On the Way' polarized critics, with some praising its lyrics and song structure, while others criticized it for being bland and repetitive. 'Help Is On the Way' premiered on KROQ-FM on January 17, 2011, and was later released as Endgame 's lead single on January 25. It incorporates elements of punk rock and melodic hardcore, with lyrics that allude to Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Inspired by lead vocalist Tim McIlrath's visit to New Orleans, the song is about the slow response time for aid to disaster stricken areas. ' Help Is On the Way' is a song by American rock band Rise Against, featured on their sixth studio album Endgame (2011).