Blink-182

Teenage male angst

Screenshots/CNET

I’m not sure there is a band who encapsulated the male teenage angst of the late 1990s and early 2000s generation more than Blink-182. The band recently reunited and released a new single and it got me listening to their old stuff. When I was in high school, I played Enema of the State so much I had to buy the CD twice. It was the sardonic What’s My Age Again?  a song about masculinity and adulthood, that drew me in. Songs like Wendy Clear and Going Away to College made me a fan. I connected with lyrics like “girls are such a drag” and “I haven’t been this scared in a long time” High school was a difficult part of my life, I was an outsider who wanted to be on the inside. I went through highs and lows of resentment and pity, never really knowing who I was or understanding my situation. I was insecure and awkward, and listening to Blink-182 made me feel connected to something.

Today I was listening to their 2001 Album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket and the opening lyrics to Anthem Part II had me reflecting hard.

Everything has fallen to pieces
Earth is dying, help me Jesus
We need guidance, we've been misled
Young and hostile but not stupid

Corporate leaders, politicians
Kids can't vote, adults elect them
Laws that rule the school and workplace

Twenty years later and the lyrics weigh on me more today than they did back then. I feel like our generation has been misled and is in desperate need of guidance. If we look at our local grassroots political structures we often find an older generation that has no problem following corporate and political leaders for the sake of winning or profit. That has left us with is a ruling class that mandates our children's education and regulates our economy.

Everything has fallen to pieces
Everything has fallen to pieces
Everything has fallen to pieces
Everything has fallen to

We really need to see this through
We never wanted to be abused
We'll never give up, it's no use
If we're f*d up, you're to blame

Maybe we are F*d or maybe not, maybe we just need to see this thing through. I for one will never give up.