Teenage Lament '74
Alice Cooper Lyrics


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What a drag it is these gold lamé jeans
Is this the coolest way to get though your teens?
Well, I cut my hair weird, I read that it was in
I looked like a rooster that was drowned and raised again

What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
I'm gonna leave today

I ran into my room and I fell down on my knees
Well I thought that fifteen was gonna be a breeze
I picked up my guitar to blast away the clouds
But somebody in the next room yelled, "You gotta turn that damn thing down"

What are you gonna do?
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
Well I'm gonna cry all day

And I know trouble is brewing out there
But I can hardly care
They fight all night about his private secretary
Lipstick stain, blonde hair, oh

What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you run away?
I'm gonna leave today

But even
I don't know
What I'm gonna do
Don't know what I'm gonna do, no

What are you gonna do?
Tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you run away?
I'm gonna leave today

What are you gonna do?
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
Why don't you get away?
Well, I'd rather cry all day

What are you gonna do?
What are you gonna do?

What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do

What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do

What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do

What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do

What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do

What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do (Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice)





What are you gonna do?
Gonna do, gonna do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Alice Cooper's song Teenage Lament '74 express the common feelings of teenage angst and rebellion. The singer is struggling to fit in and conform to society's expectations, as demonstrated by his gold lamé jeans and unconventional hairstyle. He attempts to find solace in music by playing his guitar, but is met with resistance from those around him who demand that he turn down the music. Despite feeling misunderstood and isolated, the singer remains defiant and decides to leave it all behind.


The lyrics touch on several themes commonly associated with teenage life, including identity struggles, feeling isolated and misunderstood, and the desire for freedom from societal norms. The repeated phrase "what are you gonna do?" reflects the sense of uncertainty and indecision that often characterizes the teenage years, while the repeated refrain "gonna do, gonna do" suggests a desire to take action and make a change.


Overall, Teenage Lament '74 is a relatable and nostalgic ode to the ups and downs of teenage life, and a testament to Alice Cooper's ability to tap into universal emotions through his music.


Line by Line Meaning

What a drag it is these gold lamé jeans
These fancy gold pants are so annoying


Is this the coolest way to get through your teens?
Are these pants really the best way to be cool as a teenager?


Well, I cut my hair weird, I read that it was in
I tried to be cool by cutting my hair in a strange way because I read it was trendy


I looked like a rooster that was drowned and raised again
My hair looked ridiculous and messy, like a drowned rooster


What are you gonna do?
What can you do about it?


Tell you what I'm gonna do
I'll tell you what I'm going to do


Why don't you get away?
Why don't you leave?


I'm gonna leave today
I'm going to leave today


I ran into my room and I fell down on my knees
I went to my room and fell down on my knees


Well, I thought that fifteen was gonna be a breeze
I thought being fifteen would be easy


I picked up my guitar to blast away the clouds
I played the guitar to cheer myself up


But somebody in the next room yelled, 'You gotta turn that damn thing down'
Someone in the next room told me to stop playing so loudly


And I know trouble is brewing out there
I know there are problems brewing outside


But I can hardly care
But I can't be bothered to care


They fight all night about his private secretary
They argue all night about his assistant


Lipstick stain, blonde hair, oh
She has lipstick on her and blonde hair


Well, I'd rather cry all day
I'd rather cry all day


But even I don't know
But even I don't know


What I'm gonna do
What I am going to do


What are you gonna do?
What can you do?


Gonna do, gonna do
Going to do, going to do


Gonna do, gonna do (Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice)
Going to do, going to do (Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRUCE, COOPER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Phil


on Former Lee Warmer

Interesting. I like it! I am surprised someone covered that lesser known song of Cooper’s. I will have to check out more of Valery’s work.

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