Teenage Wind
Frank Zappa Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Frank zappa (lead guitar, vocals)
Ike willis (rhythm guitar, vocals)
Ray white (rhythm guitar, vocals)
Bob harris (boy soprano, trumpet)
Steve vai (guitar)
Tommy mars (keyboards)
Arthur barrow (bass)
Ed mann (percussion)
David ocker (clarinet, bass clarinet)
Motorhead sherwood (tenor saxophone, vocals)
Denny walley (slide guitar, vocals)
David logeman (drums)
Craig steward (harmonica)
Jimmy carl black (vocals)
Ahmet zappa (vocals)
Moon zappa (vocals)

It's a miserable Friday night
I'm so lonely
And nobody'll give me a ride
To the grateful dead concert...oh rats!

I got to be free
Free as the wind
Free is the way
I got to be

Maybe I'm lost
Maybe I sinned
I got to be
Totally free

Our parents don't love us
Our teachers they say
Things that are boring
So we're running away
And we will be free
And people will see
That when we are free
That's the way we should be

Nothing left to do but get out the 'ol
Glue
(sniff it good now...)

Our parents don't love us
Our teachers they say
Things that are boring
So we're running away

And we will be free
And people will see
That when we are free
That's the way we should be
(we must be free!)
The glue! the glue! I can't find the glue!
(we must be free as the wind)
If I was at the concert now, I'd be ripped!
(we were free when we were born)
I could tighten my headband for an extra rush
During jerry's guitar solo
Then I could go to a midnite show of 200 motels!
(we were born free, but, now we are not free anymore!)
"opal, you hot little bitch!"
"you can take this pin n' hang it in yer ass!"
"you ain't the devil!"
"where's my waitress? "
But we wanna be free
An' were gonna be free

Yes, we want to be free and we're gonna be free
... did you know that
Free is when you don't have to
Pay for nothing
Or do nothing
We want to be free
Free as the wind

Free is when you don't have to
Pay for nothing
Or do nothing
We want to be free
Free as the wind

Free is when you don't have to
Pay for nothing
Or do nothing
We want to be free
Free as the wind

Free is when you don't have to
Pay for nothing
Or do nothing




We want to be free
Free as the wind

Overall Meaning

In "Teen-Age Wind," Frank Zappa sings about the desire for freedom, particularly among teenagers who feel constrained by the expectations and limitations of their parents and teachers. He opens with a lament about not being able to get a ride to a Grateful Dead concert, establishing a sense of isolation, disconnection, and frustration. Through the lyrics, Zappa emphasizes the sense of rebellion, the desire for autonomy, and the ambition for self-discovery that are so central to adolescence.


The repeated refrain, "Free as the wind," expresses this longing for liberation and self-determination while also highlighting the fleeting, unpredictable nature of youth. The song suggests that young people are often dismissed or misunderstood by adults, who are seen as perpetuating mundane or outdated ideas. Zappa's lyrics rail against the conformity of mainstream society, endorsing the use of drugs as a way to escape the confines of authority.


Overall, "Teen-Age Wind" is an anthem for teenagers seeking to define themselves and break free of the expectations of the world around them. Zappa's lyrics embrace the contradictory impulses of youth, such as the desire for rebellion and safety, and suggest that through experimentation, young people can find a sense of purpose and direction.


Line by Line Meaning

It's a miserable Friday night
The singer expresses their dissatisfaction with the current state of things.


I'm so lonely
The singer feels isolated and disconnected from others.


And nobody'll give me a ride
The singer is unable to find someone to take them to their desired destination.


To the grateful dead concert...oh rats!
The artist expresses disappointment in being unable to attend the Grateful Dead concert.


I got to be free
The artist desires a sense of liberation from the constraints around them.


Free as the wind
The singer desires complete freedom, unrestricted by any outside forces.


Free is the way
The singer believes that freedom is the ideal state of being.


Maybe I'm lost
The artist acknowledges a sense of confusion or aimlessness.


Maybe I sinned
The artist recognizes the possibility of having done wrong in the past.


I got to be
The artist reiterates their desire for freedom.


Totally free
The singer wants complete and total freedom, with no restrictions or limitations.


Our parents don't love us
The artist feels unloved or neglected by their parents.


Our teachers they say
The singer feels that their educators are responsible for instilling a sense of boredom or disinterest in them.


Things that are boring
The singer believes that they have been exposed to tedious or unstimulating material.


So we're running away
The singer expresses a desire to flee from their current situation.


And we will be free
The artist believes that they will experience freedom once they have escaped their current circumstances.


And people will see
The artist believes that their newfound freedom will be apparent to others.


That when we are free
The singer states that true freedom is only achievable outside of their current situation.


That's the way we should be
The singer declares that freedom is the ideal state of being.


Nothing left to do but get out the 'ol
The artist describes a state of boredom or listlessness.


Glue
The artist considers using glue as a means of distraction or self-medication.


(sniff it good now...)
The artist encourages the use of the glue in a sarcastic or tongue-in-cheek manner.


(we must be free!)
The singer reiterates their desire for freedom.


(we must be free as the wind)
The artist describes an ideal state of absolute, unrestricted freedom.


(we were free when we were born)
The singer believes that true freedom is a natural state of being.


(we were born free, but, now we are not free anymore!)
The singer laments the loss of their natural freedom due to societal expectations and constraints.


"opal, you hot little bitch!"
The singer quotes a vulgar or offensive phrase.


"you can take this pin n' hang it in yer ass!"
The artist quotes a vulgar or aggressive phrase.


"you ain't the devil!"
The artist refutes a previously-made claim or statement.


"where's my waitress? "
The singer makes an offhand comment or request.


But we wanna be free
The singer reiterates their desire for freedom.


An' were gonna be free
The artist expresses their belief that they will ultimately achieve their goal of freedom.


Yes, we want to be free and we're gonna be free
The artist repeats their affirmation of their desire and intent to achieve freedom.


... did you know that
The artist changes the subject or tone of their speech.


Free is when you don't have to
The singer defines what they believe freedom to be.


Pay for nothing
The artist believes that true freedom involves a lack of financial or monetary obligations.


Or do nothing
The singer believes that true freedom involves a lack of responsibilities or obligations.


Free as the wind
The singer reiterates their desire for absolute, unrestricted freedom.


Free is when you don't have to
The singer once again defines freedom in their own terms.


Pay for nothing
The artist believes that money should not be a factor in one's ability to achieve freedom.


Or do nothing
The artist once again emphasizes the importance of being free from responsibilities or obligations.


Free is when you don't have to
The singer repeats their definition of freedom.


Pay for nothing
The singer repeats their belief that financial obligations should not impede one's ability to be free.


Or do nothing
The artist repeats the importance of being free from the constraints of responsibilities or obligations.


We want to be free
The artist reiterates their desire for freedom.


Free as the wind
The artist reiterates their desire for absolute, unrestricted freedom.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions