Teen Age Riot
Sonic Youth Lyrics

You're it
You're the one who has to take the lead and make things happen.

No, you're it
No, I'm not going to be the one to take responsibility, you have to do it.

Hey, you're really it
Hey, I'm serious, you're the one who has to lead us through this.

No I mean it, you're it
I'm not joking, you have to take charge and show us the way.

Say it
Speak up and take control.

Don't spray it
Don't just talk about what needs to be done, take action and make it happen.

Spirit desire
We need to have passion and drive to achieve our goals.

(Face me) spirit desire (don't displace me) spirit desire
Face the challenge head-on, don't let anything or anyone get in your way. Maintain your drive and passion.

We will fall
There may be setbacks and failures, but we will keep pushing forward.

Miss me
Don't forget about me or underestimate my importance.

Don't dismiss me
Take my ideas and contributions seriously, don't disregard them.

Everybody's talking 'bout the stormy weather
Everyone is focused on the negative aspects of the situation.

And what's a man to do but work out whether it's true?
We need to evaluate the situation and determine whether the negativity is valid or not.

Looking for a man with a focus and a temper
We need someone who is determined and level-headed to lead us.

Who can open up a map and see between one and two
We need someone who can understand the situation and come up with a clear plan of action.

Time to get it
It's time to take action and make things happen.

Before you let it get to you
Don't let the negative aspects of the situation bring you down.

Here he comes now
The leader has arrived on the scene.

Stick to your guns and let him through
Stay true to your convictions and allow the leader to take charge.

And everybody's coming from their winter vacation
Everyone has been away for a while and is now coming back refreshed and ready to go.

Taking in the sun in an exaltation to you
Everyone is enjoying the good weather and is ready to start something new.

You come running in on platform shoes
You arrive with a bold sense of style and confidence.

With Marshall stacks to at least just give us a clue
You bring the equipment and resources to help us achieve our goals.

Ah, here it comes
The moment of truth has arrived.

I know it's someone I knew
The leader is someone familiar who can guide us towards success.

Teenage riot in a public station
We are going to make a big statement and cause some chaos in a public place.

Gonna fight and tear it up in a hypernation for you
We are going to fight and destroy the old establishment and create a new, better society.

Now I see it
We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve.

I think I'll leave it out of the way
We will eliminate anything that stands in our way.

Now I come near you
We are getting closer to our goals.

And it's not clear while you make your way
The path is not always clear, but we will push forward towards our objectives.

Looking for a ride to your secret location
We are searching for a new place to build our new society.

Where the kids are setting up a free-speed nation for you
We are creating a new society where everyone is free to be themselves and live their lives as they see fit.

Got a foghorn, and a drum, and a hammer that's rockin'
We have the tools and resources we need to build our new world.

And a cord and a pedal and a lock, that'll do me for now
We have everything we need for now to start building our new society.

It better work out
We are counting on our plan succeeding.

I hope it works out my way
I'm optimistic that our plan will succeed.

'Cause it's getting kind of quiet in my city head
We need to do something to shake things up and create change.

It takes a teenage riot to get me out of bed right now
We need a big, dramatic event to spur us into action.

You better look it
Pay attention to what's happening because big changes are coming.

We're gonna shake it up to him
We are going to create a big scene to get the attention of the person in power.

He acts the hero
The person in power is trying to look strong and heroic.

We paint a zero on his hand
We are trying to expose the person in power as a failure and discredit their strength.

We know it's down
We know that the old establishment is failing and must be replaced.

We know it's bound too loose
The old system is breaking down and becoming less effective.

Everybody's sound is 'round it
Everyone is talking about the need for change.

Everybody wants to be proud to choose
Everyone wants to have a say in creating a better future.

So who's to take the blame for the stormy weather?
Who is responsible for the problems in our society?

You're never gonna stop all the teenage leather and cooze
You can't prevent young people from rebelling and trying to make positive changes.

It's time to go round
It's time to take action and effect positive change.

A one-man showdown, teach us how to fail
We need a leader who can teach us how to learn from our mistakes and keep pushing forward.

We're off the streets now
We are no longer just talking about change, we are actually making it happen.

And back up the road on the riot trail
We will continue to make noise and cause chaos until positive change has been achieved.