I've been wanting to post these lyrics for a while now, and here they are. Has anyone else heard this song before?
Bad Religion - 21st Century (Digital Boy)Note: the first four lines in the last stanza are ’stolen from king crimson’
I can’t believe it, the way you look sometimes,
Like a trampled flag on a city street, oh yeah,
And I don’t want it, the things you’re offering me,
Symbolized bar code, quick id, oh yeah,
’cause I’m a 21st century digital boy,
I don’t know how to live but I’ve got a lot of toys,
My daddy’s a lazy middle class intellectual,
My mommy’s on valium, so ineffectual,
Ain’t life a mystery?
I can’t explain it, the things they’re saying to me,
It’s going yayayayayayaya, oh yeah,
’cause I’m a 21st century digital boy,
I don’t know how to read but I’ve got a lot of toys,
My daddy’s a lazy middle class intellectual,
My mommy’s on valium, so ineffectual,
Ain’t life a mystery?
I tried tell you about no control,
But now I really don’t know,
And then you told me how bad you had to suffer,
Is that really all you have to offer?
See I’m a 21st century digital boy,
I don’t know how to read but I’ve got a lot of toys,
My daddy’s a lazy middle class intellectual,
My mommy’s on valium, so ineffectual,
That’s what I yearn for (21st century digital boy),
Neurosurgeons scream for more (21st century digital boy),
Innocence raped with napalm fire (21st century digital boy),
Anything I want I really need (21st century digital boy),
21st century schitzoid boy (21st century digital boy),
21st century video boy (21st century digital boy),
21st century digital boy (21st century digital boy),
21st century sofa boy (21st century digital boy)...
The song was originally released in 1991 (and rereleased in 1994). So more than 10 years ago. These 21st century digital boys and girls are easily in their 20s and 30s now. Also, if you are curious, check out the various interpretations on the lyrics. I like this perspective from 'jms':
"I believe this song reflects a growing trend in American thought that technology is and will be the answer to all our problems. This song reminds us that relying on technology to get us through life can create people who are intellectually void. "I don't know how to read but I've got a lot of toys" is a line that I think represents this point....Another point that I think this song brings up is the idea that in America, status is often measured by how many items you have....Buy the right beer, car, and clothes and some hot chick will hook up with you. But somewhere in our quest to obtain as many "toys" as possible we lose track of the importance of education, learning, and becoming well rounded individuals. I think the digital boy (a product of American society) is someone who has placed all his emphasis on acquiring "toys" and no emphasis on getting educated. Pretty soon this digital boy can't read or live life because all he knows is his toys. And this boy is suffering. He's shallow and is useless without his toys but it really isn't all his fault...."
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