This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
(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
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 SongMeanings
21st Century Breakdown Lyrics as written by Frank E. Michael Pritchard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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