When we were young our future was so bright
The old neighborhood was so alive
And every kid on the whole damn street
Was gonna make it big and not be beat
Now our neighborhood’s cracked and torn
The kids are grown up but their lives are worn
How can one little street
Swallow so many lives
Chances blown
Nothing’s free
Longing for what used to be
Still it’s hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
(Whoa!)
Jamie had a chance, well she really did
Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids
Mark still lives at home cause he’s got no job
He just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot
Jay committed suicide
Brandon OD’d and died
What the hell is going on
The cruelest dream, reality
Chances blown
Nothing’s free
Longing for what used to be
Still it’s hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
– The Offspring, Shattered Dreams
I always thought that song was called ‘The kids aren’t alright’
You know, I think you’re right.