Teenage Wildlife
Ash Lyrics

Well, how come you only want tomorrow
Why do you only focus on the future instead of living in the present?

With its promise of something hard to do
Tomorrow seems more enticing because it offers the possibility of a challenge.

A real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
Living life fully and going on adventures is more valuable than material wealth.

Blue skies above, sun on your arms strength in your stride
A metaphor for the freedom and confidence one feels when fully experiencing life.

And hope in those squeaky clean eyes
Youth brings hope and optimism.

You'll get chilly receptions everywhere you go
People will often be skeptical or unwelcoming towards you.

Blinded with desire - I guess the season is on
The desire to live life fully can lead to recklessness and irrationality.

So you trade by shadow boxing, search for the truth
You struggle with finding your place and purpose in life.

But it's all, but it's all used up
You feel like you've exhausted all your options.

Break open your million dollar weapon
Use what you have to your advantage.

And push your luck, still you push, still you push your luck
Taking risks can lead to rewards, but it can also backfire.

A broken nosed mogul are you
You've been beaten down by life's struggles but still hold onto your dreams.

One of the new wave boys
You're a part of the new youth culture that embraces expressing oneself.

Same old thing in brand new drag
Old traditions and expectations are being repackaged as something new.

Comes sweeping into view, oh-ooh
A metaphor for the rise of this new culture.

As ugly as a teenage millionaire
The notion that wealth cannot buy true happiness and authenticity.

Pretending it's a whizz kid world
People try to convince themselves that they can succeed in the world if they just play by the rules.

You'll take me aside, and say
Talking about life's struggles with others can be comforting.

"Well, David, what shall, shall I do?
Asking for advice from others when feeling lost or uncertain.

They wait for me in the hallway"
Feeling trapped or cornered by expectations and social norms.

I'll say "Don't ask me, I don't know any hallways"
Admitting ignorance or uncertainty in the face of life's uncertainties.

But they move in numbers and they've got me in a corner
Feeling outnumbered and overwhelmed by societal conventions.

And I feel like a group of one, no-no
Feeling isolated and alone against the crowd.

They can't do this to me
Refusing to submit to societal pressures.

I'm not some piece of teenage wildlife
Asserting one's own value and individuality against societal norms.

Those midwives to history put on their bloody robes
Referring to the people who shape society and history through violence or upheaval.

And the word is that the hunted one is out there on his own
Feeling like a hunted outlier or rebel against societal norms and expectations.

And you're alone for maybe the last time
Feeling the gravity of the struggle and weight of living as an outsider.

And you breathe for a long time
Taking a deep breath to regain composure and fortitude.

Then you howl like a wolf in a trap
Expressing frustration and anger against societal norms and expectations.

And you daren't look behind
Making a stand against societal pressures but feeling powerless and uncertain.

You fall to the ground like a leaf from the tree
Feeling defeated and vulnerable in the face of societal pressures and expectations.

And look up one time at that vast blue sky
Finding solace in the beauty of nature and the vastness of the universe.

Scream out aloud as they shoot you down
Metaphorically representing the price of standing up against societal norms and expectations.

No no, I'm not a piece of teenage wildlife
Refusing to be defined or reduced by one's youth or inexperience.

And no one will have seen and no one will confess
Societal pressures and struggles often go unnoticed by others, even when they are evident.

The fingerprints will prove that you couldn't pass the test
Holding evidence and proof of one's struggles and failures.

There'll be others on the line filing past, who'll whisper low
Others will continue to conform to societal norms and values, but some may share similar struggles and offer support.

'I miss you he had to go'
Acknowledging the loss of those who were unwilling or unable to conform to societal pressures.

Well each to his own, he was
Accepting others' choices and paths, even if they differ from one's own.

Another piece of teenage wildlife, oh-oh-oh-ohh
Referring to the struggles and pressures of youth against societal norms and expectations.

Another piece of teenage wildlife, oh-oh-oh-ohh
Reiterating the same theme of the struggles and pressures of youth against societal norms and expectations.

Another piece of teenage wild...
The song ends as a metaphorical representation of the never-ending struggle against societal pressures and expectations.

Life
A final affirmation of life and the human spirit's resilience to overcome adversity and struggle.

Wild - Life
A reflection of life's beauty and chaos, and the human spirit's ability to navigate it all.

Wild - Life
A repetition of the final affirmation of life and human resilience to overcome struggle.