One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.
Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).
Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World
[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver
ELO Kiddies
Cheap Trick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What ya gonna do when the lights start shining?
Elo kiddies, elo kiddies
What ya gonna do when your head's exploding?
So you missed some school?
You know school's for fools
Today money rules
Elo kiddies, elo kiddies
What ya gonna do when your stomach's burning?
Elo kiddies, elo kiddies
What ya gonna do when your guts start churning?
You lead a life of crime
You gotta go unwind
You haven't got much time
You know they're out to get you
Elo kiddies, elo kiddies
What ya gonna do when you get religion?
Elo kiddies, elo kiddies
Hope you didn't get it on the television
The lyrics to Cheap Trick's song "ELO Kiddies" seem to be a commentary on the state of society, specifically younger generations. The first verse asks "what ya gonna do when the lights start shining" and "what ya gonna do when your head's exploding." These lines could be interpreted as a warning that the world is waking up to the actions of the younger generation, and there will be consequences.
The second verse seems to be addressing the idea that education is no longer the key to success, and that "money rules." The line "everybody steals it" could be a commentary on the corrupt nature of those in power, and how young people feel they have to resort to crime to survive. The chorus then asks "what ya gonna do when your stomach's burning" and "what ya gonna do when your guts start churning," suggesting that these young people are living dangerously and will eventually suffer for their actions.
The third verse addresses religion, questioning what these young people will do if they decide to follow a religious path. The final line "hope you didn't get it on the television" is an ironic jab at the idea that religion can be found through mass media, such as televangelists.
Overall, "ELO Kiddies" is a commentary on the pressures facing the younger generation and how they are reacting to them. The song suggests that these young people are living dangerously and will suffer the consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Elo kiddies, elo kiddies
Addressing the youth, the singer says 'Hello kiddies'
What ya gonna do when the lights start shining?
Asking what the youth will do when they face success or the limelight.
What ya gonna do when your head's exploding?
Asking what the youth will do when they face mental or emotional stress.
You know school's for fools
Belittling the importance of education in today's society.
Today money rules
Stating that the current time is controlled by money or capitalist ideals.
And everybody steals it
Portraying a pessimistic view that everyone is involved in corrupt activities, mainly involving money.
What ya gonna do when your stomach's burning?
Asking what the youth will do when they face physical pain or hunger.
What ya gonna do when your guts start churning?
Asking what the youth will do when they face uncomfortable situations or anxiety.
You gotta go unwind
Suggesting that the youth needs to take a break or relax from their stressful lifestyle.
You lead a life of crime
Accusing the youth of taking part in criminal activities or an immoral lifestyle.
You know they're out to get you
Warns the youth that they are being targeted or watched by authorities for their bad behavior.
What ya gonna do when you get religion?
Asking what the youth will do when they are exposed to or interested in religion.
Hope you didn't get it on the television
Suggesting that the youth should learn about religion through personal experience or discovery, rather than through TV or media.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: RICK NIELSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
'ello kiddies
'ello kiddies
Whatcha gonna do when the lights start shining
'ello kiddies
'ello kiddies
Whatcha gonna do when your head's exploding
So you missed some school
You know that school's for fools
Today money rules
And everybody steals it
'ello kiddies
'ello kiddies
Whatcha gonna do when your stomach's burning
'ello kiddies
'ello kiddies
Whatcha gonna do when your guts are churning
You lead a life of crime
You got to go unwind
You haven't got much time
You know they're out to get you
'ello kiddies
'ello kiddies
Whatcha gonna do when you got religion
'ello kiddies
'ello kiddies
Hope you didn't get it on the television
So you missed some school
You know that school's for fools
Today money rules
And everybody steals it
You lead a life of crime
You got to go unwind
You haven't got much time
You know they're out to get you
@HardRockMaster7577
The Best Cheap Trick album. Period.
@oiyabastard
+Hard Rock Master who greenday ripped off
@williamknapp8227
+Hard Rock Master
In Color (and in Black and White) isn't too bad either.
@eudymaverickmentor
+William Knapp
In Color (and in Black and White) is there best LP hands down.
@tinaelevation9868
+William Knapp My favorite is In Colour. Going to see them tomorrow night!
@franklapore
CLOSE
@daveepelone6221
Best first album by a major rock band and that includes all of them. Completely polished sound and not a bad track on the whole disk, even though all subsequent releases were produced quite differently.
@Rikitocker
Love these guys since day one but they had a huge British influence on them ... carried it off in American fashion but the stamp is allover the sound and delivery. Some have called them the American Beatles ... nearly but not really. They are just Cheap Trick ... a great great band.
@Preliminimal
... I love the first three albums, especially the first
@delacomete
c'est seulement du rock&roll but I like it and cheap trick est loin d'être cheap mais est top de chez top !