Young and free, something you'll never be
A childhood's end, it's lunacy
Pure dictation, they don't listen
And you're just waiting for what you're missing
Welcome to your nightmare
You just can't walk away
It's time for you, to choose, your fate
You just can't let it lay
Welcome to your nightmare
Your whole life's on the way
Today

You're no good, misunderstood, A.I.R.
All their hopes and visions, of what they want you to be
Crucial times, made up minds, A.I.R.
So high and mighty, though much too blind to see
Who are you gonna live your life for?
Conformity will trap you like a locked door
Independence means owning your decisions
Authority will put your soul in prison

Fight, or go insane, there's no one else to blame
Stop, their influence, you can't give them a chance
Break, right through the wall, that separates us all
Start, your second life, without their hands in sight
You got your pride, you got your visions
Don't subside, don't ever give in
Don't compromise just keep on grinning
The games they play you just keep on winning
Keep on winning
Keep on winning
Keep on winning
A.I.R.


Lyrics submitted by spliphstar

A.I.R Lyrics as written by Daniel Alan Spitz Charlie L. Benante

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

A.I.R. song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    You're all right in some way, I think, but you're only scratching the tip of the iceberg with this song. Really, it's about the end of childhood. You can't be a child anymore, even if you want to. People don't judge children, let them be, and forgive them. When your childhood ends, all that is gone. You're faced with responsibility, social norms, conformity, authority, and people's expectations and images of how you should be. You don't want it, but you have no choice. You can't go back to your childhood. You're fucked. So what do you do? "Fight or go insane."

    VanceDon November 21, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Song Fact

    I met Frank Bello during Stomp tour and he told me it stands for Adolescence In Rebellion.

    terrell39on December 01, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Great song! I think this is about how parents try to control their kids' destiny by making all of their decisions for them, and not letting them decide for themselves. It also urges kids to think for themselves. It's a positive message.

    SlayersTool36on March 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is a badass song and the album it is on is great too

    goeatdogshiton April 27, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this may sound dumb, but i forget what A.I.R means..someone told me once

    TabuuDi26on May 18, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think I heard once that A.I.R. stood for Adolesence In Red

    Tarrant7575on November 04, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yep. A.I.R. is adolesence in red!

    benjamin breegon January 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The title A.I.R. or Adolescence In Red is a kind of homage/jab to Black Sabbath, specifically Nativity In Black or N.I.B.

    Other than that, the previous posts are right on.

    PinheadXon February 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Yeah, the previous posts are right about the meaning to this song. Great song, too.

    strawberrryfieldson July 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this isn't about thier parents controlling kids but mroe society controlling everyone.

    maccas666on February 13, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.