Wasting Away
Dag Nasty Lyrics

This is the voice of something to believe in
A confident invitation or call to find hope, purpose or meaning

A tattered flag, a change of a season
A sign of change, renewal and hope despite the struggles and scars of the past

Everybody hooked on negativity
A sad but true observation of how many people become focused on problems rather than solutions or opportunities

Won't you come along
A friendly request or plea for others to join the singer in a different, more positive path

So many people full of disillusion
A recognition of how common it is to feel disconnected, doubtful or disappointed with life

It's time to re-think, make a new conclusion
A hopeful call to action to reconsider one's beliefs, assumptions or habits and create a better future

I'm wasting
A confession or admission that the singer feels stuck, unfulfilled or unsure

I'm wasting away
An expression of deep concern or alarm that the artist fears they are losing or missing something vital to their well-being, identity or purpose

You get one shot, what you gonna' do?
An urgent reminder that life is short and precious, and that every choice, action or non-action matters

So here's a call from a voice to you and me
An inclusive and friendly appeal to anyone who hears the song to join in a common purpose or aspiration

Let's take a break from yawning apathy
A playful but serious suggestion that people need to wake up, engage and care more, rather than just sleepwalk through life

Turn on, tune off, use your energy, just answer a call
An inspiring and practical idea that people should focus on positive and meaningful things, while ignoring or rejecting distractions or negativity

Where are you ever really going here?
A profound and existential question that asks what is the purpose or destination of our lives, and whether we are living deliberately or on autopilot

Is the destination ever clear?
A rhetorical and slightly cynical question that implies that many people may not know or care where they are going, or that life may not have a clear or fixed purpose

The answers they offered,
A critical and skeptical assessment of the standard or conventional answers, beliefs or values that society or culture often provides

They never touched me and until I find one,
An honest and vulnerable admission that the singer has not found or accepted any satisfying or authentic answers or solutions, and that they feel stuck or frustrated

I'll never really be free
A poignant and expressive declaration that the artist believes that true freedom or liberation comes from finding something to believe in or live for

Where's the voice of something to believe in
A direct and plaintive question that expresses the singer's longing or hope to find a source of inspiration, guidance or motivation

Everybody adrift in negativity
A sad but honest observation that many people may feel lost, hopeless or helpless, and that negativity or cynicism can be a contagious or toxic force

Won't you come along
A repeated and earnest invitation for listeners to join the singer in a journey towards a better, more meaningful life