Baba O'Riley
The Who Lyrics

The lyrics to The Who's song Baba O'Riley depict a young person's struggle to find their place in the world. The first verse speaks to the idea of working hard to survive and make a living, but without needing to resort to violence or proving oneself to others. The line "I get my back into my living" suggests that the singer is physically exerting themselves to survive. The song then shifts to a chorus of "It's only teenage wasteland," which may be interpreted as a commentary on the societal perception of youth as being directionless and unproductive.

In the second verse, the singer calls out to Sally, presumably a friend or love interest, to join them on a journey to the south. The line "Put out the fire and don't look past my shoulder" suggests a desire to leave behind old troubles and start anew. The use of the word "exodus" invokes images of a mass migration, which could represent a desire for change on a larger societal level. The idea of getting together before one is "much older" implies a sense of urgency to experience life before it's too late.

Overall, Baba O'Riley may be interpreted as a commentary on the struggles and desires of young people to find purpose and meaning in their lives, and to make an impact on the world despite the feeling of being dismissed as "teenage wasteland."