I never knew so many bad times
Could follow me so mercilessly
It's almost surreal
All the pain that I feel
The future ain't what it used to be

It doesn't matter what they're thinking
It doesn't matter what they're thinking of me
It's always so cold
I'm to young to be old
The future ain't what it used to be

Were there ever any stars in the sky
Did the sun ever shine so bright?
Do you have any dreams I could borrow
Just to get me through the lonely night?
Is there anything left to hold on to
When the rivers wash it all away?
Is there anyone left to hold on to
Is there anything left I can say?

[Chorus:]
Say a prayer for the falling angels
Stem the tide of the rising waters
Toll a bell for the broken hearted
Burn a torch for your sons and daughters
The endless night has got a hold of me
Dark days are pulling me forward
And all the tears are washing over me
I'm crying, lost forever
In a future that ain't what it used to be
No more no more no more

It's like a storm that's never ending
It's like a shadow on the land and the sea
There's nothing so sad as
A tomorrow gone bad
The future ain't what it used to be

Some days I feel so numb and empty
And those would be the good days for me
Nothing gets to me now
Unless I'm thinking of how
The future ain't what it used to be

Is there anything left to hold on to
When the rivers wash it all away?
Is there anyone left to hold on to
Is there anything left I can say?

[Chorus]

The future just ain't what it used to be
It's never gonna be like it was
The future just ain't what it used to be
I wish it wouldn't come but it does
I wish it wouldn't come but it always does


Lyrics submitted by Outpour

The Future Ain't What It Used to Be Lyrics as written by Jim Steinman

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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The Future Ain't What It Used To Be song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    Holy CRAP why has no one commented on this yet? It's amazing! Best song on his new album (well OK, tied with Seize the Night and Alive) Some good ol' fashioned blues meets angst as only Meat can deliver it! Awesome, awesome...

    Juniper Prismon February 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Vocally, lyrically and the tune of this song...superb!

    furrywookyon July 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's meaning is pretty much obvious. You don't want the future, which isn't what you thought it was, to come. Still, awesome song, I love the soft "twangy" guitar.

    Ceebon May 12, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The best song on the album. No doubt about that. And i agree it´s about aging. That genious Jim Steinman really need to come up with some new music really soon

    daniel1987on September 05, 2010   Link

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