X-Ray Eyes
Randy Lyrics


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Back in 1981 the scream and shouting had begun
My parents were still married and had their hatches buried
They told me everything would work out fine

Back in 1982 they were talking about what to do
Stay together or separate everyday that same debate
I heard them from the walls up in my room
All the kids want x-ray eyes
So they can see when grown-ups lies
They got their minds set on the price
The kids want x-ray eyes

Back in 1983 first day in school for me
Our teachers name was mary she said it's necessary that
All the kids do exactly what they're told

All the kids want x-ray
Eyes so they can see when grown-ups lies
They got their minds set on the price
The kids want x-ray eyes

Don't think I can take it I surrender mama
I'm just not felling so good
Things didn't turn out the way you told me that they would

All the kids want x-ray eyes
So they can see when grown-ups lies




They got their minds set on the price
The kids want x-ray eyes

Overall Meaning

The song "X-Ray Eyes" by Randy touches on the theme of childhood disillusionment with grown-ups. The song's lyrics reflect Randy's experiences growing up in the early 80s, specifically his parents' marital problems and the pressure put on children to follow authority blindly. The first two verses describe a home life steeped in tension and uncertainty as Randy overhears his parents' debates about their marriage. The third verse shifts to Randy's first day of school where he's introduced to a world where he is expected to follow the rules without question. The chorus speaks to the common childhood desire to possess the ability to see through deception and lies.


The repeated phrase "the kids want x-ray eyes" is symbolic of the desire to possess a power that could potentially lead to a better understanding of the world around them. The chorus also conveys the feeling of helplessness children often experience in situations they cannot control, such as parental conflict or the authoritarian nature of schooling. The final lines of the song "Things didn't turn out the way you told me that they would" showcases the inevitable truth that experiences rarely align with the expectations that adults set for children.


Overall, "X-Ray Eyes" is a defiant yet poignant critique of the often-unfair structures that govern childhood life. The chorus is both catchy and meaningful, with Randy highlighting the limitations that children face in their inability to see beyond a world that grown-ups control.


Line by Line Meaning

Back in 1981 the scream and shouting had begun
In the year 1981, there was a lot of loud arguing and yelling going on.


My parents were still married and had their hatches buried
Even though my parents were still together, they had their own separate problems and conflicts they kept hidden away.


They told me everything would work out fine
Despite their unspoken issues, my parents still tried to reassure me that everything would work itself out.


Back in 1982 they were talking about what to do
The following year, in 1982, my parents were discussing whether they should stay together or separate.


Stay together or separate everyday that same debate
Every day, my parents debated whether it was better for them to stay together or go their separate ways.


I heard them from the walls up in my room
As a child, I couldn't help but overhear their conversations through the walls of my room.


All the kids want x-ray eyes
All children wish they had the power to see through people's lies and true intentions.


So they can see when grown-ups lies
Children want this ability so they can determine when adults are not being honest with them.


They got their minds set on the price
Children are determined to do what it takes to have this ability and are willing to pay any cost.


Back in 1983 first day in school for me
On the first day of school in 1983, I started my educational journey.


Our teachers name was mary she said it's necessary that
My teacher, whose name was Mary, emphasized that it was essential for us to do what we were told.


All the kids do exactly what they're told
Mary wanted all her students to follow her instructions to the letter.


Don't think I can take it I surrender mama
I can't handle this any longer, I give up, and I need my mother's help.


I'm just not felling so good
I'm not feeling well, mentally or emotionally.


Things didn't turn out the way you told me that they would
Things did not happen as my parents had promised or hoped they would.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FREDRIK GRANBERG, JOHAN BRAENDSTROEM, JOHAN BRĂŻÂżÂœNDSTRĂŻÂżÂœM, JOHAN GUSTAFSSON, STEFAN GRANBERG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@NateThunder

Ill always remember this from the epitaph dvd.

@mikewosowski342

Me too. Now that I'm older and have a family and listen to this im like fuck. Time flies. Nothing ever turned out how they said it would when we were younger. Get along. Work together. Everyone has a chance. The world is ugly. Got to make it the best it can for my kids so they can keep there eyes on the prize. The beauty out there.

@ehpik4064

Dude fuck yeah same.

@JottiKarotti

Same I also remember a live Version of Converge-Heartless on that DVD wich is still Not on YouTube i guess.

@salvadorvelazquez7744

Yeap, from the punk-O-rama series, vol. 9

@bradford4570

Me and my boy Alex would watch this video on the Punk o Rama comp almost everyday after school in the 8th grade in 2004, Alex passed away last year, this and The Horrorpops make me think of him Everytime I hear y'all. Thank you for the memories

@ehpik4064

Such amazing memories from when I was a kid and having access to my older brothers music and comics.

@rauladdams5709

I love this song and video with a whole heart. Legendary.

@lydochka0x

haha gotta love the punkorama compilations. ah jr high.. how i miss those days.

@thotlinemiami6627

My dad loves this song

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