21th Century Digital Boy
-Bad Religion Lyrics
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The way you look sometimes
Like a trampled flag on a city street
Oh yeah
And I don't want it
The things you're offering me
Symbolized barcode, quick I.D
Oh yeah
'Cause I'm a twenty-first century digital boy
I don't know how to live but I got a lot of toys
My daddy's a lazy middle-class intellectual
My mommy's on Valium, so ineffectual
Ain't life a mystery, yeah?
I can't explain it
The things you're're saying to me
It's going yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh yeah
'Cause I'm a twenty-first century digital boy
I don't know how to read but I got a lot of toys
My daddy's a lazy middle-class intellectual
My mommy's on Valium, so ineffectual, oh
Ain't life a mystery, yeah?
Tried to tell you about no control
But now I really don't know
And then you told me how bad you had to suffer
Is that really all you have to offer?
'Cause I'm a twenty-first century digital boy
I don't know how to live but I got a lot of toys
My daddy's a lazy middle-class intellectual
My mommy's on Valium, so ineffectual, yeah
(Twenty-first century digital boy) cats, sports, iron claw
(Twenty-first century digital boy) neurosurgeon screams for more
(Twenty-first century digital boy) innocents raped with napalm fire
(Twenty-first century digital boy) everything I want, I really need
Ain't life a mystery, yeah?
In Bad Religion's song "21st Century Digital Boy," the singer expresses their confusion and dissatisfaction with the materialistic, technologically-driven world of the 21st century. The opening lyrics painting a disturbing image of the way people appear, using the metaphor of a trampled flag on a city street. He rejects the "things you're offering me," which are represented by the "symbolized barcode" and "quick I.D." In other words, he rejects the homogenized, dehumanizing aspects of a society that values technology over human connection and emotional depth.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm a 21st century digital boy," signifying the singer's awareness of the way he has been shaped by and embodies the values of this society. He admits that he "doesn't know how to live, but [he] got a lot of toys," indicating that despite being materially wealthy, he feels disconnected and unfulfilled. The singer's parents also come under scrutiny- his father is described as a "lazy middle-class intellectual," while his mother is "on Valium" and "ineffectual." The singer seems to view these qualities as symptomatic of a society that's lost touch with what matters.
There are several possible interpretations of this song, but one major takeaway seems to be the tension between the materialistic and spiritual aspects of life. The image of a "trampled flag" could be viewed as a symbol of how we've abandoned values like patriotism and community, while the "symbolized barcode" represents how we've replaced human connection with consumerism. The singer longs for something deeper and more meaningful, but doesn't know how to find it in a world where everything is increasingly automated and digitized.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe it
I am astounded by what I see
The way you look sometimes
Your appearance is reminiscent of something unpleasant
Like a trampled flag on a city street
You resemble a discarded, dishonored object that is no longer valued
Oh yeah
Indeed
And I don't want it
I have no interest in what you are offering
The things you're offering me
The concepts you present are unappealing
Symbolized barcode, quick I.D
Automated identification systems are not a desirable replacement for security
Oh yeah
Affirmative
'Cause I'm a twenty-first century digital boy
I am a contemporary individual, reliant on the latest technology
I don't know how to live but I got a lot of toys
I excel at utilizing electronic gadgets but find everyday life increasingly challenging
My daddy's a lazy middle-class intellectual
My father is an intelligent person, but lacks ambition and drive
My mommy's on Valium, so ineffectual
My mother relies on medication to function and is otherwise unproductive
Ain't life a mystery, yeah?
Human existence is complex, isn't it?
I can't explain it
I find it difficult to articulate my feelings
The things you're saying to me
Your words are perplexing
It's going yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
You are speaking in a manner that lacks substance
Oh yeah
Indubitably
Tried to tell you about no control
I attempted to raise awareness about the dearth of autonomy in modern society
But now I really don't know
However, I am now deeply uncertain
And then you told me how bad you had to suffer
You described your own hardships to me, hoping to gain my empathy
Is that really all you have to offer?
I am unimpressed by your attempts to illicit sympathy
'Cause I'm a twenty-first century digital boy
I am a contemporary individual, reliant on the latest technology
I don't know how to read but I got a lot of toys
I lack certain fundamental skills but compensate with electronic gadgets
Twenty-first century digital boy) cats, sports, iron claw
I am able to derive entertainment from a variety of sources, both organic and artificial
(Twenty-first century digital boy) neurosurgeon screams for more
People will demand ever-increasing advancements in medical technology
(Twenty-first century digital boy) innocents raped with napalm fire
The world is still plagued by war
(Twenty-first century digital boy) everything I want, I really need
Contemporary society has created a culture of consumerism where desire is treated as necessity
Ain't life a mystery, yeah?
Human existence is complex, isn't it?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRETT GUREWITZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spry17072
Они крутые, эх на такой концерт бы попасть.
sashazxtt
Amazing how good they sound here
TREmBLInG
I don't understand the comments. They're just a band having fun. I'd hate to be written off because I'm supposed to retire or something. They sound great.
Alejandro Bravo
Realmente genial el concierto, Sigue Sigue Sputnik ha sido mi banda favorita por años, son unicos. Se que el que canta es Martin Degville, pero quienes son los otros integrantes?, Alguien sabe?
вокруг
Молодцы, еще и поют и играют до сих пор, похвально, чувствуется у солиста еще масса энергии, остальные стесняются что ли, гитарист тоже молодец держится.Эх. здоровья ребятам, слушал их в 88году где то так супер!
Антропоморфная Пластмасса
33 года петь одни и теже песни... Супер, нет слов... Жалкое зрелище, не могут себе признаться, что и нахер никому не нужны.
alekc dzy
Пипец я тоже уж думал сгинули с этого света ан нет они еще и концерты дают молодцы !
Alexis Suazo
100% perfección
Đuro Pivić
Marin Miletić dobro pjeva,svaka čast😇😇😇😇 i prikladno je obučen,čestitke budućem gradonačelniku
Régis Fortun
Martin Degville still have a good voice