I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker
Sandi Thom Lyrics

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
The singer wishes she lived in a different time period when punk rock was prevalent and people expressed themselves more freely.

In seventy seven and sixty nine, revolution was in the air
In the years 1969 and 1977, there were major cultural shifts and movements happening.

I was born too late, into a world that doesn't care
The singer feels like she missed out on a time when people were more passionate about change and justice.

When head of state didn't play guitar, not everybody drove a car
In the past, the people in power were not associated with popular culture, and not everyone owned a car like they do now.

When music really mattered and when radio was king
Music was more important and influential in the past, and radio was the primary way people discovered new music.

When accountants didn't have control, and the media couldn't buy your soul
There was less corporate greed and control over the music industry in the past, and artists had more creative freedom.

And computers were still scary and we didn't know everything
Technology was not as advanced and ubiquitous as it is now, and people did not have access to as much information.

When popstars still remained a myth, and ignorance could still be bliss
Celebrities were less accessible and enigmatic in the past, and people could still have a blissful ignorance of the world's problems.

And God save the queen, she turned a whiter shade of pale
The queen's appearance changed over time, possibly symbolizing a loss of traditional values or cultural changes.

My mum and dad were in their teens and anarchy was still a dream
The singer's parents were young during a time when there was a desire for social change and rebellion.

And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail
Communication was slower and more traditional in the past, with letter writing being a common way to keep in touch.

When record shops were still on top, and vinyl was all that they stocked
Record stores were more popular and vinyl records were the primary way people listened to music.

And the super-info highway was still drifting out in space
The internet and technology were not yet widely available or influential.

Kids were wearing hand me downs, and playing games meant kick around
Children's fashion and activities were more simplistic and traditional in the past.

And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face
Sports and athletics were not as commercialized and polished as they are now, with more of an emphasis on individuality.

I was born too late, into a world that doesn't care
The singer feels like she missed out on a more passionate and connected time in history.

Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
The singer restates her desire to have lived in a different era with more freedom of expression and cultural significance.