When the Grammies were given, meaningless things that they are, I was bothered by how many folks posted that they did not keep up with the current popular musical scene because it was so lightweight. Always bugs me when we Lawrence Welk our own generation's music ( for those of us who are of a certian age), or in any way repeat our parents' mistakes in thinking that "our" music had meaning as opposed to all the crap that is out there "today", or get into our own little musical enclaves that we are not in touch with what is happening in the musical lives of so many, especially young people, today.
Of course I can prove that I am really wacked out because my last album purchases were Linkin Park, Nickleback, and Lifehouse, my next will be POM, and I think that folks like Diana Kroll are merely marketing ploys by corporations who know that our generation is a niche market for those who think that current pop music is declasse but have outgrown Yanni. (Fortunately, I have a Chicago Tribune article that backs me up on that last one about Kroll, before I get attacked.) So for those who think that the last significant song of social meaning was Neil Young's "Ohio" (which is a great song, no question) and that the current music pop song is all so jejune as opposed to the music of our day, and who think that the kids today have nothing compared to us in our great political awareness, the following are the lyrics of "Youth of the Nation" by POD. I have yet to be with anyone under 20 who doesn't start singing along with this "top ten song" when it comes on the radio - a fact that picqued my interest when I began to figure out what the words were -- if you have any contact with young people today, or remember the fervent conversations in the JMDL after Columbine, read on... (the Rev) Vince Youth of the Nation by POD Last day of the rest of my life I wish I would've known Cause I didn't kiss my mama goodbye I didn't tell her that I loved her and how much I care Or thank my pops for all the talks And all the wisdom he shared Unaware, I just did what I always do Everyday, the same routine Before I skate off to school But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest Instead of taking a test I took two to the chest Call me blind, but I didn't see it coming Everybody was running But I couldn't hear nothing Except gun blasts, it happened so fast I don't really know this kid Even though I sit by him in class Maybe this kid was reaching out for love Or maybe for a moment He forgot who he was Or maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged Whatever it was I know it's because [chorus:] We are, We are, the youth of the nation Little Suzy, she was only twelve She was given the world With every chance to excel Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell She might act kind of proud But no respect for herself She finds love in all the wrong places The same situations Just different faces Changed up her pace since her daddy left her She deserved much better Johnny boy always played the fool He broke all the rules So you would think he was cool He was never really one of the guys No matter how hard he tried Often thought of suicide It's kind of hard when you ain't got no friends He put his life to an end They might remember him then You cross the line and there's no turning back Told the world how he felt With the sound of a gat [chorus] Who's to blame for the lives that tragedies claim No matter what you say It don't take away the pain That I feel inside, I'm tired of all the lies Don't nobody know why It's the blind leading the blind I guess that's the way the story goes Will it ever make sense Somebody's got to know There's got to be more to life than this There's got to be more to everything I thought exists
