Max Bemis was raised "in a strong Jewish environment." Many of Bemis' lyrics borrow from his Jewish roots, and contain elements of Jewish humor. While most of band's earlier songs are free of any such inspiration, the songs of "...Is a Real Boy" and "In Defense of the Genre" include references to Jewish heritage. "Alive with the Glory of Love," Say Anything's first single, has a main subject of a relationship affected by World War II and the Holocaust, based on Bemis's grandparents, while "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" includes mentions of "the old shul" and a rabbi's teachings. A strong example from "In Defense" comes from the lyrics of "Died a Jew". The song includes several references to the Jewish people and its history along with mentions of "the murder of God" and Bemis' departures from kosher. References to religion come again in "Fed to Death" on "Say Anything", referring to a 'man from Nazareth' who would one day 'spring to life to smile and clear your name' but until then 'nail yourself upon the cross and hang your head in shame.'