(Uuuh, uuuh uuuh uuh)
Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell
A welfare child where the teamsters dwelled
The last one born and the first one to run
My town was blind from refinery sun

My generation is zero
I never made it as a working class hero
21st century breakdown
I once was lost but never was found
I think I'm losing what's left of my mind
To the 20th century deadline

(Uuuh, uuuh uuuh uuh)

I was made of poison and blood
Condemnation is what I understood
Video games of the Tower's fall
Homeland security could kill us all

My generation is zero
I never made it as a working class hero
21st century breakdown
I once was lost but never was found
I think I'm losing what's left of my mind
To the 20th century deadline

We are the class of the class of thirteen
Born in the era of humility
We are the desperate in the decline
Raised by the bastards of 1969

My name is no one, the long lost son
Born on the fourth of July
Raised in the era of heroes and cons
That left me for dead or alive
I am a nation, a worker of pride (pride)
My debt to the status quo
The scars on my hands and the means to an end
It's all that I have to show

(Hey)
(Hey)
(Hey)

I swallowed my pride and I choked on my faith
I've given my heart and my soul
I've broken my fingers and lied through my teeth
The pillar of damage control

I've been to the edge and I've thrown the bouquet (hey)
Of flowers left over the grave
I sat in the waiting room, wasting my time
And waiting for judgement day

Praise liberty
The freedom to obey
It's the song that strangles me
Well, don't cross the line

Oh, dream, America, dream
I can't even sleep
From the light's early dawn
Oh, scream, America, scream
Believe what you see
From heroes and cons


Lyrics submitted by bfg1024

21st Century Breakdown Lyrics as written by Frank E. Michael Pritchard

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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21st Century Breakdown song meanings
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53 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I think you're an idiot. Why is there's always some retarded person posting something like this about anything remotely political. This song has nothing to do with the NWO which doesn't even exist. The singers in Green Day are smart enough it appears to know that which is why they supported Obama.

    You conspiracy nuts are just retarded. Sure, there is a lot of corruption in America, but it has nothing to do with a small group of families trying to kill almost everyone like Alex Jones says that's just fucking retarded. Put down the crack pipe.

    adnon April 16, 2012   Link

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