Times Have Changed
Retaliate Lyrics

The opening lyrics of Retaliate's song "Times Have Changed" cast the mind back to a time when the Hardcore music scene was the mainstay of its fans. The lead singer reflects on how he used to immerse himself in the scene, reading its alive fanzine, and indulging in the live performances, battles, and struggles that defined the scene. He asserts that he cannot fully articulate what the scene has given him, but he knows that it's been pivotal in shaping his life. The singer then laments that things have changed, and nostalgia creeps in as he thinks of the exodus of old school heads from the scene, and how it has been infiltrated by young kids who lack the values and principles that once defined the music genre. These newcomers come into the scene only to exploit its good equipment, with fame on their minds - this being the polar opposite of what the scene represents.

The song's chorus is an affirmation of what the band stands for and a warning to "stepping-stone" music newcomers that hardcore is not their home. The singer emphasizes that "real recognizes, and they don't know you," contesting the importance of authenticity and the slow process of earning one's stripes in the scene. As is common in the hardcore scene, the singer raises issues around image and authenticity. He impresses on the barrier-crashing newcomers that they cannot sit at the table if they don't put in the work.

The song delivers a powerful message that speaks to the changing nature of the hardcore scene. The singer acknowledges the influx of young newcomers and the generational shift that the scene is undergoing. The message, however, is not a welcoming one, but it is an affirmation of the importance of authenticity and one's love for the genre. It's a call to arms for the old guard's preservation, a generational torchbearer call, warning the newbies that they cannot sit with the older-schoolers if they don't appreciate the artform and the hard work the veterans have put in.