This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
I don't mind other guys dancing with my girl
That's fine, I know them all pretty well
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
Sometimes, I feel I gotta get away
Bells chime, I know I gotta get away
And I know if I don't, I'll go out of my mind
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
I know if I go things would be a lot better for her
I had things planned, but her folks wouldn't let her
I don't mind other guys dancing with my girl
That's fine, I know them all pretty well
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
Sometimes, I feel I gotta get away
Bells chime, I know I gotta get away
And I know if I don't, I'll go out of my mind
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
That's fine, I know them all pretty well
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
Sometimes, I feel I gotta get away
Bells chime, I know I gotta get away
And I know if I don't, I'll go out of my mind
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
I know if I go things would be a lot better for her
I had things planned, but her folks wouldn't let her
I don't mind other guys dancing with my girl
That's fine, I know them all pretty well
But I know sometimes I must get out in the light
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
Sometimes, I feel I gotta get away
Bells chime, I know I gotta get away
And I know if I don't, I'll go out of my mind
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
Lyrics submitted by Lucky1869_420
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And the violence caused such silence
Who are we mistaken
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Another mother's breaking
Heart is taking over"
Laments the Warrington bomb attacks in which two children were fatally injured on March 23rd, 1993. Twelve year old Tim Parry was taken off life support with permission from his mother after five days in the hospital, virtually braindead.
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References how people who are not directly involved with the violence feel about it. They are "zombies" without sympathy who refuse to take action while others suffer.
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In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.
I wouldn't jump to the grand statement that the Who' basic lyric story is about struggling through childhood and teenhood, and ultimately being forced to come to some kind of terms with an adulthood that for so long you regarded with hatred and contempt.
But if I were to make such a claim, then this song is about as perfect a summation of that struggle as you can cram into 3 minutes and 5 seconds.
Don't wanna go, but I've really got to go, I hate to leave her behind, but hey, I can trust my friends, and I really gotta go now. And despite anything I've said, or any jokes Pete and Roger may make, this song comes across completely for real. This is real. This is life.
Thank god we have, or had, groups who put real stuff like this into their songs.
basically something you never want to hear your husband saying
This song is about a guy who doesn't want to stay home with his wife and kids. He realizes that when he's gone, his wife sees other guys. But he doesn't care because at least his kids are getting looked after. Dude just wants to party, his wife is sitting on another guys lap but hey its all cool, the kids are alright.
I think it's about a person who wants to leave their present life and pursue their dreams.
The person in this song can no longer do what he wants because he is now married ("Bells chime") and has children. So now he's hoping to realize his dreams by leaving his wife.
I always believed that this song critized parents that choose their own lives instead of their childrens. A father that leave his kids behind. That the phrase "the kids are alright" is sarcastic. I guess I was wrong ;(
I can't believe no one has commented on this song. Increidible. Great song. this should be your introduction to the who.
I think this is an awesome song.
I heard it was talking about growing up and moving away from the whole "Mod" culture for the sake of growing up and being with a girl. The lyrics "bells chime" and "I had things planned" kind of imply that he might want to get married but it didn't work out and now he thinks its best if he just left her with them, which I don't get why he would do that.
i think it sounds like getting married and having kids, and the feeling of being tied down by it. the queers cover of this is good too.
They once introduced this song at a concert like this:
Roger: "This song is about a girl I APPARENTLY promised to marry when I was six" Pete: "What do you mean 'apparently'?"
Since it was written by Townshend, I think it was probably a joke that Roger would have to sing about an event he would rather forget.