In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
You've been told all your life that
You're the youth of a modern nation
But all you see in your eyes is a modern disaster
You spend your life slaving to get an education
Even though they say
that "it won't be enough
To get the job
To get you the home
To give you the life
That makes life worth living"
[chorus]
You're the youth of the modern world
You're the youth of the modern world
The future is yours, don't let the present cheat you
You're the youth of the modern world
You're the youth of the modern world
The future starts now and it belongs to you
Public servants of the community
Talking about how much they care for the youth
But with no vote you become only a photo-op to shoot
By way of visits to your under-funded school
And the mall where they taught you how to consume
Nevermind the curfew saying,
"We don't trust you, we don't believe you
When you're on the street, no good is what you're up to"
[chorus]
They say, they say the youth are angry
They say, they say the youth are mad
But they don't know about you or me
No, they don't know about you or me
No, they don't know about you or me
Or you, or him, or her, or you, or me
Oh no, oh nooo! yeah!!
Sometimes i feel so enraged
Wondering if things will ever change?
Why the hell does everybody have to buy into the game?
A society that lives to work
And a government that spents more money on bombs than schools
No wonder the kids are always looking for something new
This is the computer age,
This is the modern age
This is the age of sophistication
Yet there are so few out there among the hight-tech geniuses
That even have a clue what is important to the youth
Or know what the youth can do!
And what the youth can do,
Is so unbelievable...
So unforgettable...
So incredible...
And don't forget it!!
Don't fucking forget it!!
You're the youth of a modern nation
But all you see in your eyes is a modern disaster
You spend your life slaving to get an education
Even though they say
that "it won't be enough
To get the job
To get you the home
To give you the life
That makes life worth living"
[chorus]
You're the youth of the modern world
You're the youth of the modern world
The future is yours, don't let the present cheat you
You're the youth of the modern world
You're the youth of the modern world
The future starts now and it belongs to you
Public servants of the community
Talking about how much they care for the youth
But with no vote you become only a photo-op to shoot
By way of visits to your under-funded school
And the mall where they taught you how to consume
Nevermind the curfew saying,
"We don't trust you, we don't believe you
When you're on the street, no good is what you're up to"
[chorus]
They say, they say the youth are angry
They say, they say the youth are mad
But they don't know about you or me
No, they don't know about you or me
No, they don't know about you or me
Or you, or him, or her, or you, or me
Oh no, oh nooo! yeah!!
Sometimes i feel so enraged
Wondering if things will ever change?
Why the hell does everybody have to buy into the game?
A society that lives to work
And a government that spents more money on bombs than schools
No wonder the kids are always looking for something new
This is the computer age,
This is the modern age
This is the age of sophistication
Yet there are so few out there among the hight-tech geniuses
That even have a clue what is important to the youth
Or know what the youth can do!
And what the youth can do,
Is so unbelievable...
So unforgettable...
So incredible...
And don't forget it!!
Don't fucking forget it!!
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he's right, the youth are the ones to get things done. well once they're old enough I suppose. but kids are the passionate and compassionate ones. Adults tend have their passion drowned, it's gone from them, they're too busy with work and family and, ya know, typical stuff that distracts them from the things that need attention in the world.
but for kids, they're full of passion and compassion and their hearts tend to bleed for things worthy of their attention. Songs like this won't let my passion drown.