Children
Michael Michailoff Lyrics
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I walk around high on drugs,
beating up old people and why,
maybe you can tell me why,
who else can it be mommy,
talking through, my mouth,
it couldn't possible be you and your poison coming out,
along with mine
We are children of our own time, we are
children from a stoned time, we are
children, we are children, we are...
Can't you see the colour of my eyes,
so now you're afraid that I'm going to die,
it's just a pill to make me live,
it's just a pill to make me give,
a little colour to the nightlife that I live outside
We are children of our own time, we are
children from a stoned time, we are
children, we are children, we are... x2
We are children of our own time, we are
children from a stoned time, we are
children, we are children, we are... x2
The song "Children" by Michael Michailoff tells the story of a troubled youth who is heavily influenced by drugs and lives a reckless lifestyle. The opening line "Don't you know who I am mommy" portrays the disconnect and lack of understanding between the child and their mother. The use of drugs has caused the child to become violent, evidenced by the line "beating up old people," and the mother is at a loss as to how to help.
The chorus "We are children of our own time, we are children from a stoned time, we are children" emphasizes the idea that this behavior has become normalized in this generation. Drug use has become commonplace, and it has affected the youth to the point where they view themselves as products of their environment.
The latter half of the lyrics reference the use of pills to make the child feel alive and add some color to their otherwise dull existence. This again points to the normalization of drug use, as well as the idea that these substances are seen as a form of escapism from the harsh realities of life.
In summary, "Children" is a poignant critique of the normalization of drug use within a generation, and how it has affected the youth and their relationships with their families.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know who I am mommy
I am your child and you should know who I am
I walk around high on drugs
I am addicted to drugs and constantly under its influence
beating up old people and why
I engage in violent behaviours against the elderly and I don't know why
maybe you can tell me why
Perhaps you, as my mother, have insight into why I behave violently
who else can it be mommy
It must be me, your child who is causing trouble, no one else
talking through, my mouth
I am speaking my own thoughts and feelings, despite how destructive they may be
it couldn't possible be you and your poison coming out
My behaviour cannot be blamed on you, although I acknowledge that we both have negative qualities
Can't you see the colour of my eyes
My eyes reveal my drug use and addiction
so now you're afraid that I'm going to die
You are concerned for my well-being due to the risks involved with drug use
it's just a pill to make me live
I am using medication to counter the negative effects of drugs
it's just a pill to make me give
I am taking medication to add excitement to my nightlife
a little colour to the nightlife that I live outside
The medication enhances my experiences while engaging in intense night activities
We are children of our own time, we are children from a stoned time, we are children, we are children, we are...
We are youthful and living in a time of drug use and experimentation, despite the negative consequences
Contributed by Christian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.