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My Generation
The Who Lyrics


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People try to put us d-down (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old (talkin' 'bout my generation)

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

Why don't you all f-fade away (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Don't try to dig what we all s-s-s-say (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to 'cause a big s-s-sensation (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (talkin' 'bout my generation)

My generation
This is my generation, baby

Why don't you all f-fade away (talkin' 'bout my generation)
And don't try to d-dig what we all s-s-say (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to 'cause a b-big s-s-sensation (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-generation (talkin' 'bout my generation)

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby
My my my generation

People try to put us d-down (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we g-g-get around (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (talkin' 'bout my generation)

This is my generation
This is my generation, baby
My my my generation

(Talkin' 'bout my generation)
(Talkin' 'bout my generation)
(Talkin' 'bout my generation)
(Talkin' 'bout my generation)
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation

Overall Meaning

"My Generation" by The Who can be considered an anthem that epitomizes the revolutionary youth culture of the 1960s. The lyrics express a strong sense of rebellion and defiance against the older generations that sought to suppress and punish the youth. The song is a protest against the establishment, which failed to understand the frustrations and aspirations of the young generation. It speaks to experiences of youthful alienation, frustration, and dissatisfaction with society’s norms and values.


The lyrics of the song are full of stuttering, which conveys the anger and frustration felt by the youth. The stuttering also emphasizes the rebellious nature of the song and makes it more energetic. The lines "I hope I die before I get old" have become iconic and encapsulate the spirit of the song. The message of the song is a declaration that the young generation would not be held back or silenced by older generations.


Line by Line Meaning

People try to put us d-down (talkin' 'bout my generation)
People are trying to bring us down and criticize us just because of our generation.


Just because we get around (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we go out and explore different things and places, people judge us.


Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin' 'bout my generation)
The older generation sees our actions as callous and emotionless.


I hope I die before I get old (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I don't want to grow old and be like the older generation who criticize and judge the younger ones just for being themselves.


Why don't you all f-fade away (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Why don't you older people just disappear and let us live and enjoy our own lives without your constant criticism and judgement?


Don't try to dig what we all s-s-s-say (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Don't try to analyze or understand our actions, because they are not meant for you to understand.


I'm not trying to 'cause a big s-s-sensation (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to make a big fuss, I just want to be myself without being judged or criticized.


I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation (talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm simply representing and expressing my generation and our values through my actions.


People try to put us d-down (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Once again, people are trying to bring us down and criticize us just because of our generation.


Just because we g-g-get around (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Once again, people judge us just because we go out and explore different things and places.


Yeah, I hope I die before I get old (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Once again, I hope to maintain my youthful spirit and avoid turning into the kind of person who judges others just because of their age.


(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
All of these lines are simply expressing the frustration and pride of our generation and its culture.


(Talkin' 'bout my generation) this is my generation
Once again, this line emphasizes the idea that all of these lyrics are meant to represent and describe our generation and its values.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Peter Townshend

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Philip Kassabian

An amazing song by The Who.

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@baddiemauve4958

[Intro]

[Verse 1: Roger Daltrey (Pete Townshend & John Entwistle)]
People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

[Verse 2: Roger Daltrey (Pete Townshend & John Entwistle)]
Why don't you all f-fade away (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
And don't try to dig what we all s-s-say (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I'm just talkin' 'bout my g-g-g-generation) (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

[Bridge]
My, my, my generation
My, my, my generation

[Verse 1: Roger Daltrey (Pete Townshend & John Entwistle)]
People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

[Bridge]
My, my, my generation
My, my, my generation

[Verse 1: Roger Daltrey (Pete Townshend & John Entwistle)]
People try to put us d-down (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
I hope I die before I get old (Talkin' 'bout my generation)
This is my generation
This is my generation, baby

[Bridge]
My, my, my generation

[Outro: (Pete Townshend & John Entwistle) Roger Daltrey]
(Talkin' 'bout my generation)
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) My generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) My generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation, baby
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation
(Talkin' 'bout my generation) This is my generation



All comments from YouTube:

@dyslexicbatnam1350

I was so surprised to hear this song in A Silent Voice I was actually thrown off a little lmao

@Mexican_Chad

Same I was so confused

@verbalkil5402

Facts

@bluecap6713

It caught me so off guard, I thought I was hallucinating

@illegal_juicebox

I l o v e this song

@anszjaa

It was fitting so perfectly and immediately I loved it

56 More Replies...

@23theseeker50

I'm 71 years old and still a fanatical WHO fan LONG LIVE THE WHO GREAT, GREAT BAND.

@ITheNightmare

I'm 21 years old and I like the Who too.

@_Osse

This song really be bringing all ages together

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