Rough
Callow Youth Lyrics

The lyrics to Callow Youth's song "Rough" paint a picture of post-industrial town where people are struggling to get by. The first verse conveys a sense of insecurity, as the singer checks with their friends before deciding whether or not to go out. There's a feeling that if they don't go out, they might be missing out on something, but there's also a sense of pretending to be alright when things may not necessarily be okay. In the second half of the verse, the singer chances a look out the window, perhaps hoping to see someone they know, but realizing that they should've taken a chance previously.

Moving into the chorus, the song speaks to a generational divide, where young people are struggling to make sense of the world around them. The line "You're young and you're old and you've never been told why everything's the wrong way round" is particularly poignant, as it speaks to a feeling of disorientation and confusion about how the world is structured. The second verse paints a picture of young people hanging out on the corner, skipping school, and feeling trapped by the prospect of a life lived working minimum wage jobs.

Overall, "Rough" is a powerful commentary on the difficulties of growing up in a post-industrial society, where the jobs have gone and opportunities seem scarce. It's a song about the things that aren't said, the struggles that aren't always visible, and the way that young people are left to navigate a world that doesn't seem to care about them.