Feb 2022
2/26 - demo up - country tune playing with my new Band-In-A-Box toys...
I am, as they say, an old. As I watch my kids grow and navigate life, I see the struggles they deal with, but I also see that the kind of stuff I'd been ostracized for in my teens is the stuff of mainstream culture. In that aspect, I'm jealous as all get out.
some of the other things, though? You couldn't pay me to be fourteen again.
As usual, I'll get this musicked up later.
<verse>
I never had much luck
writing songs 'bout girls and bars
because I never had much luck there anyway
I was bad at pitching woo
I never got a second glance
found other ways to make it through the day
read the books and rolled the dice
met those merit badge requirements
found time to sort of learn to play guitar
my husky pants and glasses
drew the wrong kind of attention
but at least the jeering thickened up my skin
<chorus>
kids like we were today they have it better
a certain awkward fandom kinda rules
I don't doubt there are issues
still ain't easy in a teen's shoes
nerd and geek ascended, become cool
<verse>
now I have kids of my own
watch them navigate their days
dig deep with friends into games and anime
they do it without shame
mainstream culture sells to them
there is no need to hide passions away
y'know I'm kind of jealous
hid my splat books in the basement
for fear that I'd get wedgied in disgrace
things are different now
the old order's been rescinded
still bet I'd muck it up, though, in their place
<chorus>
kids like we were today they have it better
a certain awkward fandom kinda rules
I don't doubt there are issues
still ain't easy in a teen's shoes
nerd and geek ascended, become cool
<bridge>
I wear this onion on my belt
it was the style at the time
but I've been there, I've seen some shit
five bees for a quarter
new norms they are in order
the kids are alright and I'm proud to see it
<verse>
not saying it's not hard
the world's still a cruel place
but it's nice to see uniqueness not be hidden
still struggles to be had
different choices to be made
but the greater part of youth choose acceptance
what's now, though was not then
my gay friend stuffed into the closet
dreading he would be disowned and not supported
today he wouldn't fear
he'd feel safe enough to share
not doubting that his friends would have his back
<chorus>
kids like we were today they have it better
being different, it won't mean your doom
I don't doubt there are issues
still ain't easy in a teen's shoes
the least of us ascended, become cool
@mikeymason Feb 2022
Love this, and feel it. Seeing the ascension of geekdom adds a certain validation to our earlier days, but doesn't mean today's geeky youth get an easy path by any means, and you hit on that. This song reminds me of my relationship and my experiences with my kids (and witnessing their relationships with their friends) in a very good way.
@thefifthsister Feb 2022
Really love what you've written here. Made me smile. Thanks for sharing!
@ericdistad Feb 2022
This! All this! Yeah, I sometimes feel like I'm "old man yelling at clouds", but I'm grateful that the younger generations has at least some things a bit easier.
And I'm here for the Simpsons' references.
This scans well!! I look forward to hearing the musicked up version some time.
Excellent work!
@ekunyi Feb 2022
There's hope for the future, indeed! I appreciate these lyrics quite a bit. <3 Thanks for sharing!