Lyrics The Kids Arent Alright

The Kids Arent Alright by The Offspring discusses the passage of time and the drastic changes in the lives of people from a neighborhood where vocalist Dexter Holland grew up. It reflects on the hopes and dreams of youth contrasted with the harsh reality faced in adulthood.

When we were young the future was so bright (Woah-oh!)
The old neighborhood was so alive (Woah-oh!)
And every kid on the whole damn street (Woah-oh!)
Was gonna make it big and not be beat
Now the neighborhood's cracked and torn (Woah-oh!)
The kids are grown up but their lives are worn (Woah-oh!)
How can one little street
Swallow so many lives

Chances thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams

Jamie had a chance, well she really did (Woah-oh!
Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids (Woah-oh!)
Mark still lives at home cause he's got no job
Just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot
Jay committed suicide (Woah-oh!)
Brandon OD'd and died (Woah-oh!)

cruelest dream, reality

Chances thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
Chances thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams