Reckless & Relentless

“Reckless & Relentless” by Asking Alexandria is a raw and unapologetic anthem that delves into the chaotic and hedonistic lifestyle often associated with rock and roll. The song opens with a scathing critique of the music industry, accusing it of killing the essence of true music through commercialization and the rise of inauthentic bands. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is a defiant declaration of living life on one's own terms, regardless of the consequences.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a life filled with excess—alcohol, drugs, and a relentless pursuit of pleasure. The protagonist embraces this lifestyle wholeheartedly, acknowledging the self-destructive nature of their actions but reveling in the freedom it brings. Lines like “My only home is the bottom of a bottle and a rolled up bill” and “I live the same day in and out and I don't care how long I last” highlight a sense of nihilism and a disregard for the future. The repeated refrain, “I am rock and roll, livin' the life that you can only dream of,” serves as a proud proclamation of their identity and lifestyle.

The song also touches on the physical and emotional toll of this lifestyle, comparing the pain of cigarettes and whiskey to the inevitable consequences of their actions. Despite this, there is a sense of invincibility and a refusal to change, encapsulated in the line, “Not gonna stop until my heart stops beating.” The closing lines reiterate the initial critique of the music industry, emphasizing the band's disdain for what they see as the dilution of true rock and roll by “fake, righteous, undeserving bands.”

“Reckless & Relentless” is a powerful expression of rebellion, hedonism, and a yearning for authenticity in a world that the band perceives as increasingly superficial. It captures the essence of rock and roll as a lifestyle and a form of resistance against conformity and mediocrity.