EDL was founded in 1992 as Every Day Life In Southern California. Early on… Read Full Bio ↴EDL was founded in 1992 as Every Day Life In Southern California. Early on the band signed to R.E.X. Records and laid down some material for an album. However, the label went defunct before releasing any EDL material. After finally being released from that contract, they signed with Alarma Records and produced their debut album, Disgruntled. For the band, the delays were intolerable. Frontman Cookerly reported that "when I got into the studio, I got upset and angry and yelled my way through it ... My goal was to write the most upset record the Christian market had ever seen, to completely alienate everybody.” Production was managed by Lanny Cordola. In addition to sporting an American Flag with the bands name cut out, the cover image of Disgruntled shows a scene from the Reginald Denny incident, part of the Los Angeles riots of 1992. The flag was intended to represent the broken ideal of American life, and the photo to be a graphic portrayal of the extremes of life and society.

Tedd Cookerly was a guest artist on the sleeper album Misguided by argyle park.

Every Day Life (later simply known as EDL) was a Christian rapcore group. The band became identified with the Straight Edge movement, which advocates abstinence from sex, drugs, and tobacco.

Time To Change
EDL Lyrics

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We inherit the world when it's kicked down wheezing and begins to bleed. I wanna drown my brain 'til it's saturated with the irony. What to do now? I'm inundated. Freedom of choice is overrated. Every kid finds that he's subjugated to the apathy. All the youth want is just to change the world. Change the world! And the older, the more we try to change the youth, and that's the news, yeah! Change the world! And what you call reckless abandon, I call abandonment of the youth, now where's the proof? I guess that's in the pudding. I've got you jumping up and down like your name was Cuba Gooding Jr. at the Oscars, wild in the streets, running, looking to your youth, and you start shunning. Remember back in the days, chill in the hood, passing out tracts, talking about the news was good. Nowadays that can't happen without the danger. You're looking to the youth, to the fact they're no stranger. Your job's uplifting, help them all cope. Through times of social trials, help generate hope. Times of the socialist reign the soul. Everything now to offer all control. It wasn't handed down but borrowed from the children. Ignite the torch and not offer damp kindling. Our youth are molotav cocktails ready to ignite. When will we define for ourselves what's wrong and what's right? Then set forth the hounds to track down this present evil? But for my generation there can be no sequel. End times await to shatter dreams and bite at heels. Only love and its wounds can hope truly reveal. This is our time, this is our necessity; to fight against all types of social conformity. I've embraced the failure, I've accepted the truth. And now I must praise, respect, pray, and educate the youth!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Time to Change" by EDL discuss the state of the world and society, and the need for change. The opening lines imply that the world we live in is struggling and in need of help. The following lines suggest that the singer wants to escape from the reality of the situation by drowning their brain in irony. However, they quickly realize that they cannot avoid the problems of the world, and that freedom of choice is overrated. The singer notes that every kid eventually realizes that they are subjugated to apathy and wants to change the world, but the older generation often tries to suppress this desire for change in the youth.

The song then turns to a discussion of what is often seen as "reckless abandon" or rebellion by the youth. The singer argues that this is actually an abandonment of the youth by society, and that the proof of this can be seen in the current state of the world. The current generation must help the younger generations cope with social trials and generate hope for the future. The song ends with a call to action, urging the listener to fight against conformity and to educate the youth so that they can enact real change.

Overall, the lyrics of "Time to Change" suggest a need for societal change and a desire to encourage the youth to make positive changes in the world.

Line by Line Meaning

We inherit the world when it's kicked down wheezing and begins to bleed.
We are born into a world that is struggling and in pain.

I wanna drown my brain 'til it's saturated with the irony.
I want to escape from the harsh reality through whatever means necessary.

What to do now? I'm inundated.
I am overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed.

Freedom of choice is overrated.
Having too many choices can be paralyzing and prevent action.

Every kid finds that he's subjugated to the apathy.
All children are subjected to the feeling of apathy and helplessness in the face of societal problems.

All the youth want is just to change the world. Change the world!
Young people have a desire to make a difference and leave their mark on society.

And the older, the more we try to change the youth, and that's the news, yeah! Change the world!
As we age, we often try to impose our beliefs and values on the younger generation, perpetuating a cycle of societal conformity.

And what you call reckless abandon, I call abandonment of the youth, now where's the proof?
What some see as reckless behavior is actually a symptom of a system that ignores and neglects the needs of young people.

I guess that's in the pudding.
The evidence of this neglect is clear.

I've got you jumping up and down like your name was Cuba Gooding Jr. at the Oscars, wild in the streets, running, looking to your youth, and you start shunning.
I have stirred up excitement and energy for change, but when faced with the reality of the situation, people start to shy away and avoid getting involved.

Remember back in the days, chill in the hood, passing out tracts, talking about the news was good. Nowadays that can't happen without the danger.
In the past, people were able to discuss current events and social issues without fear, but now even simple discussions can be dangerous in some places.

You're looking to the youth, to the fact they're no stranger.
We must look to young people to understand and address the problems facing our society.

Your job's uplifting, help them all cope. Through times of social trials, help generate hope.
Our responsibility is to provide support and guidance to the younger generation in times of adversity, and to help them find hope and optimism for the future.

Times of the socialist reign the soul. Everything now to offer all control.
In times of uncertainty and upheaval, people seek greater control and influence over their own lives.

It wasn't handed down but borrowed from the children. Ignite the torch and not offer damp kindling.
The future is not a gift to be given to us, but rather something we must work to create for the next generation, with passion and commitment.

Our youth are molotav cocktails ready to ignite. When will we define for ourselves what's wrong and what's right?
Young people have the potential and motivation to bring about significant change, but we must first decide what values and beliefs we stand for.

Then set forth the hounds to track down this present evil? But for my generation there can be no sequel.
We must take action to fight against the evils of our time, but for those of us who have already lived through these challenges, there can be no second chance.

End times await to shatter dreams and bite at heels. Only love and its wounds can hope truly reveal.
The future is uncertain and fraught with danger, but only through love and compassion can we find true hope and inspiration.

This is our time, this is our necessity; to fight against all types of social conformity.
It is our responsibility to oppose societal norms and push for progress and change, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable.

I've embraced the failure, I've accepted the truth.
I have come to terms with the fact that success is not guaranteed, and that we must face the truth of our situation in order to make progress.

And now I must praise, respect, pray, and educate the youth!
Our role is to support and encourage young people, while also guiding them towards a better future through education and advocacy.

Contributed by Landon A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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