The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
We are the youth, we'll take your fascism away
We are the youth, apologize for another day
We are the youth and politicians are so sure
We are the youth and we are knocking on death's door
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so sure
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so small
Never knew we were living in a world and the world is an open court
Maybe we don't want to live in a world where our innocence is so short
We'll make it up to you in the year 2000 with
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so sure
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so small
Never knew we were living in a world and the world is an open court
Maybe we don't want to live in a world where our innocence is so short
We'll make it up for you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000
Make it up to you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000 with you
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so sure
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so small
Never knew we were living in a world and the world is an open court
Maybe we don't want to live in a world where our innocence is so short
We'll make it up to you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000
Make it hard for you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000
Make it hard for you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000 with you
We are the youth, apologize for another day
We are the youth and politicians are so sure
We are the youth and we are knocking on death's door
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so sure
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so small
Never knew we were living in a world and the world is an open court
Maybe we don't want to live in a world where our innocence is so short
We'll make it up to you in the year 2000 with
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so sure
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so small
Never knew we were living in a world and the world is an open court
Maybe we don't want to live in a world where our innocence is so short
We'll make it up for you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000
Make it up to you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000 with you
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so sure
Never knew we were living in a world with a mind that could be so small
Never knew we were living in a world and the world is an open court
Maybe we don't want to live in a world where our innocence is so short
We'll make it up to you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000
Make it hard for you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000
Make it hard for you in the year 2000
Build it up for you in the year 2000 with you
Lyrics submitted by spitfirek7
Anthem For The Year 2000 Lyrics as written by Daniel Johns
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Even though y2k has come and gone, this song still has so much meaning to the way teenagers view their life, their problems and their responses. Everything is in the positive tense - "/We'll/ make it up to you in the year 2000..." meaning (to me) that teens will deal with their problems with 'society' in the future. "2000" is used because back then we all viewed the new millennium as a time for new /everything/. Daniel uses "2000" symbolically to represent a new time when things will be different. Every generation of teenager has had a rebellion against their elders, hence the way that societies have evolved over time. The younger generation has rebuked the way the older generation has done things, and once they are the older generation, they change things - especially in the last century or so. So therefore, I do not think that this song is redundant or loses any meaning nine years on.
silverchair were a great band. we probably wont see them again though aye....
I think since we teenagers are starting out in a world that already hates us that we are giving up too easily in the face of adversity. Strive for the thing you are going for and never give up. Don't settle for the bare minimum, and never give up hope. It is the only thing we have left. Listen and Feel.
Yes, I think that we are living in a world that is to blind to accept differences. Teenagers like me are giving up in the face of adversity.
I've only listened to it a couple of times, the video is great, though the song title kinds of limit it from being played after the year 2000, lol
ya but its not to be taking literally, the year 2000 he means the new era has begun. The era where the teens that everyone stereotypes and knocks down (like me) are goina run the place and its goina be a lot better when we're runing it than the idiots who run society nowadays
well its a good song with a good tune by a good band...
IS it just me or are protest songs getting a little old and stretching for meanings.
i think the song is talking about how the teenagers of today are being repressed by older generations through untrue stereotypes. with the new century the younger generation will have the opportunity to pave a new way for themselves.
This song was great before y2k. It sounded like the world will change and everything will be different; different for the worst. Now that it is over, and not much happened accept the usual corruption of government and the media, the song lost its special touch in my opinion. It's still an good song though.