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.
On the way
Trying to get where I'd like to say
I'm always feeling steered away
By someone trying to tell me
What to say and do
I don't want it
I gotta go find my own way
I gotta go make my own mistakes
Sorry man for feeling
Feeling the way I do
On yeah, Oh yeah
Open wide and they'll shove in
Their meaning of life
Oh yeah, Oh yeah
But not for me I'll do it on my own
Oh yeah, Oh yeah
Open wide and swallow their meaning of life
I can't make it work your way
Thanks but no thanks
By the way
I know your path has been tried and so
It may seem like the way to go
Me, I'd rather be found
Trying something new
And the bottom line
In all of this seems to say
There's no right and wrong way
Sorry if I don't feel like
Living the way you do
Trying to get where I'd like to say
I'm always feeling steered away
By someone trying to tell me
What to say and do
I don't want it
I gotta go find my own way
I gotta go make my own mistakes
Sorry man for feeling
Feeling the way I do
On yeah, Oh yeah
Open wide and they'll shove in
Their meaning of life
Oh yeah, Oh yeah
But not for me I'll do it on my own
Oh yeah, Oh yeah
Open wide and swallow their meaning of life
I can't make it work your way
Thanks but no thanks
By the way
I know your path has been tried and so
It may seem like the way to go
Me, I'd rather be found
Trying something new
And the bottom line
In all of this seems to say
There's no right and wrong way
Sorry if I don't feel like
Living the way you do
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Arent all Offspring songs like that? (blatant, i mean) still one of their best songs... offspring is like bad religion, you can't get tired of them and its not possible to not like just one of their songs...
i just love the sound of this song. it's also got a great meaning, another punk message. the song tells of how authority figures wanna shove down your throat their interpritation of how you should live your life. this song tells people to live life their own fuckin way, even if they make mistakes along the way
Just means do you own thing,find your own happiness and your own meaning of life,pretty blatant
Yeah, they definantly are not a poetic band, but there bass and beats are so damn catchy. I heard this song on an anime called Tekkin: THe Movie, and they got me in the mood for OS and ive been DL a shit load of songs.
I think someone screwed this up and posted 2 sets of lyrics.
Meaning of Life is about being forcefed your life to you instead of choosing your own path.
exactly what i would say
open wide....
yeah, it's not too hard to figure out this song, but it's awesome, it's one of my favorite songs by any band ever. get ixnay on the hombre if you don't already have it, it's fucking awesome.
not poetic, but definately has a message and is not meaningless ramblings like some punk and pop bands... I think it's perfect for their music. Why conceal the meaning? They still use satire and such, so it's deep, just not hidden. -Taco
this song is amazing. why the hell are there so few posts?
in the same vein as all i want, its about finding things for yourself and taking the other road. Pretty much ecompasing the meaning of punk. good stuff.
this is what i find preps and tredy bitches are like but you have to look back we were all once forced to conform and if you wern't you are prolly fucked up in life... or you are a prep now... i have to agree with prodigal... along with The kids arn't alright this song means alot... reminds me... don't follow the trends its not cool lol