Teenage Sounds
Neon Trees Lyrics

I’m sick of living under everybody’s shadow
Tired of constantly being overshadowed by others' success and achievements.

I’m sick of everyone’s success, I know that’s shallow
Tired of feeling like others' successes somehow invalidates one's own accomplishments.

I’m sick of hearing people lie to get by, to get by
Fed up with people resorting to dishonesty in order to succeed or get ahead.

I’m sick of people that can’t look me in the eye all the time
Tired of being around people who are insincere or who lack the courage to be direct and honest with others.

I’m tired of girls I’m tired of boys I’m tired of nonsense
Exhausted by the superficiality and immaturity of people in general.

I’m ta ta ta ta ta ta tired of the process
Completely worn out by the endless cycle of striving, failing, and starting over again.

I’m sick and tired of always feeling second best
Frustrated by constantly feeling overlooked or undervalued in comparison to others.

I’m tired of never ever making any progress
Disheartened by the feeling that nothing ever seems to change or improve, despite one's efforts.

To all the cool kids on my block
Addressing a certain group of people, who may be seen as popular or influential in some way.

Where’s the original thought, tell me?
Asking the cool kids whether they (or anyone else) are capable of unique, creative thinking.

Oh yeah you never heard us
Suggesting that they (the cool kids) have not paid attention to or acknowledged the singer or their group previously.

Don’t ever try to turn us down
Warning against dismissing or discrediting the artist or their group.

We’re making all the noise
Asserting that despite being ignored or overlooked, the singer's group is still making their presence known in their own way.

We’re making teenage sounds
Describing the type of noise the singer's group is making as youthful, energetic, and perhaps rebellious or nonconformist.

It’s the same old song and dance
Referring to the tired repetition of certain patterns or behaviors (such as trying to be famous) that the singer finds frustrating.

We’re sick of everybody trying to be famous
Expressing a level of disdain for the societal obsession with fame and celebrity.

I’m sick of always operating out of fear
Tired of making decisions based on anxiety, uncertainty, or a feeling of being threatened.

I’m sick of being called a fag because I’m queer
Frustrated by the use of derogatory language and negativity towards LGBTQ+ individuals.

I’m sick of everybody saying to be happy
Displeased with the pressure to always present a happy or positive image or attitude.

I’m positive that I’m allowed to have a bad day
Asserting their right to experience negative emotions or bad luck without judgment or criticism.

I’m tired of everybody trying to be a DJ
Tired of the trend of people trying to become DJs as a way of gaining status or attention.

Yeah I can also pick my favorite songs and press play
Suggesting that being a DJ isn't particularly impressive, since anyone can do it with a phone or computer.

I’m sick of people saying rock n roll is dead
Bemoaning the idea that a genre of music they enjoy has lost relevance or popularity in modern times.

Learn how to play guitar and save yourself instead
Encouraging others to embrace a more hands-on, creative approach to music as a way of finding meaning or satisfaction.

The truth is hard to swallow when it’s true
Acknowledging that sometimes the reality of a situation can be difficult to accept, even when it is irrefutable.

The truth is hard to swallow when it’s choking you
Suggesting that confronting the truth can sometimes feel overwhelming or suffocating, like being physically choked.

I’m sick of everybody trying to be famous
Repeated for emphasis, underscoring the central theme of the song and its message of frustration with the societal obsession with fame and celebrity.