Its music video received heavy airplay on MTV; however, while the album itself was a major hit and went multi-platinum in the U.S. and other countries, "Youth Gone Wild" as a single only reached #99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached #20 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.
The song was re released in 1992 on the B-Side Ourselves album with Delivering the Goods single
The song is played at many sports arenas including at the United Center when the Chicago Blackhawks hit the ice. The State College Moose of the Nittany Hockey League also use it as their theme song during warm-ups. "Youth Gone Wild" is also featured as one of the songs on the Guitar Hero: On Tour game for the Nintendo DS.
Youth Gone Wild
Skid Row Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I was born, they couldn't hold me down
Another misfit kid, another burned out town
I never played by the rules and I never really cared
My nasty reputation takes me everywhere
When I look and see it's not only me
We are the young (hey), so raise your hands
They call us problem child, we spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile, we are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall, we're one and one for all
The writing's on the wall, we are the youth gone wild
Boss screaming in my ear about who I'm supposed to be
Get a three-piece Wall Street smile, and son, you'll look just like me"
I said, "Hey man, there's something you ought to know
Well, I'll tell you Park Avenue leads to Skid Row"
Well, I look and see it's not only me
We're standin' tall, ain't never a doubt
We are the young (hey), so shout it out
They call us problem child, we spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile, we are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall, we're one and one for all
The writing's on the wall, we are the youth gone wild
Well, let me hear you get wild
They call us problem child, we spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile, we are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall, we're one and one for all
The writing's on the wall, we are the youth gone wild
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, we are the youth gone wild
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, we are the youth gone wild
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, we are the youth gone wild
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, we are the youth gone wild
"Youth Gone Wild" is a hard rock anthem by Skid Row that expresses the defiance, rebelliousness, and thirst for freedom of the youth. The song starts with the singer boasting of his nonconformist nature and rebellious streak that have taken him to different places. He points out that he is not the only one who feels this way as he sees that so many others have been in his position. The chorus of the song loudly proclaims that they are the youth gone wild who won't bow down to authority or societal norms.
Despite the lyrics' rebellious tone, the song has an undercurrent of motivation and solidarity among the youth. It's a rallying cry for all who feel mistreated, dismissed or silenced by their families and society. The second verse addresses parental or societal pressure to conform to a certain lifestyle, expressed through the boss figure who tries to dictate how the singer should live his life. The singer resists his authority and argues that following his own path that might lead him to Skid Row, a decaying part of town, is a better choice than following someone else's 3-piece suit standard.
Overall, "Youth Gone Wild" is a celebration of individuality, perseverance against the odds, and youthful exuberance that refuses to be tamed. It delivers a clear message of finding your own way without letting anyone hold you down or dictate your future. It has resonated with generations of young people who feel their voices need to be heard, their dreams pursued, and their identities respected.
Line by Line Meaning
Since I was born they couldn't hold me down
I have always been a free spirit and cannot be constrained
Another misfit kid, another burned-out town
I grew up in a place where I felt out of place and didn't fit in
I never played by the rules, I never really cared
I have always lived my life the way I wanted and didn't care about societal expectations
My nasty reputation takes me everywhere
People know me for being a rebel, and that reputation precedes me wherever I go
I look and see it's not only me
I realize that there are many others like me who feel the same way I do
So many others have stood where I stand
There have been others before me who have gone through the same struggles
We are the young, so raise your hands
We are the young generation and we should embrace that fact and stand together
They call us problem child
Society labels us as troublemakers and outcasts
We spend our lives on trial
We are constantly being judged and scrutinized by society
We walk an endless mile
We face many challenges and obstacles in our lives
We are the youth gone wild
We are rebellious and refuse to conform to societal norms
We stand and we won't fall
We are strong and resilient
We're one and one for all
We are united and stand together
The writing's on the wall
The signs are there to show that we are the youth gone wild
Boss screamin' in my ear about who I'm supposed to be
My boss is telling me who I should be and what I should do, but I refuse to listen
Getcha a 3-piece wall street smile and son you'll look just like me
My boss wants me to conform and become like him, but I won't do it
I said 'hi man, there's something that you oughta know I'll tell ya Park Avenue leads to Skid Row
I am warning my boss that even if he is successful now, he could end up like me and end up in the impoverished Skid Row area
We're standin' tall, ain't never a doubt
We are confident in ourselves and our beliefs
We are the young, so shout it out
We are proud to be part of the young generation and we should celebrate that fact
Let me hear you wild
I want to hear others who feel the same way I do and who are also part of the youth gone wild
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Sabo, Rachel Southworth, Robert Affuso, Scott Mulvehill, Sebastian Bierk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sarah Gil
Since I was born they couldn't hold me down
Another misfit kid, another burned-out town
Never played by the rules I never really cared
My nasty reputation takes me everywhere
I look and see it's not only me
So many others have stood where I stand
We are the young so raise your hands
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall
We're the one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
Boss screamin' in my ear about who I'm supposed to be
Getcha a 3-piece Wall Street smile and son you'll look just like me
I said "Hey man, there's something that you oughta know.
I tell ya Park Avenue leads to Skid Row."
I look and see it's not only me
We're standin' tall ain't never a doubt
We are the young, so shout it out
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall
We're the one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall
We're the one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
We are the youth gone wild
Fenriz1844
Lyrics:
Since I was born they couldn't hold me down
Another misfit kid, another burned-out town
I never played by the rules, I never really cared
My nasty reputation takes me everywhere
I look and see it's not only me
So many others have stood where I stand
We are the young, so raise your hands
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand and we won't fall
We're one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
Boss screamin' in my ear about who I'm supposed to be
Getcha a 3-piece wall street smile and son you'll look just like me
I said "hi man, there's something that you oughta know I'll tell ya Park Avenue leads to
Skid Row
I look and see it's not only me
We're standin' tall, ain't never a doubt
We are the young, so shout it out
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand up, we won't fall
We're one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild
Let me hear you wild
They call us problem child
We spend our lives on trial
We walk an endless mile
We are the youth gone wild
We stand up, we won't fall
We're one and one for all
The writing's on the wall
We are the youth gone wild (oh oh oh oh)
We are the youth gone wild (oh oh oh oh)
We are the youth gone wild
Yeah yeah yeah
We are the youth gone wild (oh oh oh oh)
We are the youth gone wild
Freedom Lover
I'm 47 years old, and still part of this crowd.
I AM the youth gone wild. I will never - EVER - be over 18.
Nathan Krush
You rock!
arrow waterable
I'm 49. So am I. I'm what I used to be when I was 18 in 1988.
kirky r
Freedom Lover oh good I'm 42 and feel exactly the same I went and saw skid row and guns n roses when I was in yr 9 Melbourne Australia at caulder park it was out of control Sebastian was the most beautiful man ever still love them always will
Nick Slade
Who said Peter Pan ever HAD to grow up? Fk em - Young is how u feel about life not how many years you've dwelt within it. Stay young bro ✌️😎🎼🎶
Flavio R. David
Best answer ever
Daniel San
For me, the best song from their debut album alongside 18 And Life. Pure masterpiece!
СЕРГЕЙ МЕДВЕДЬ
Обожаю Skid Row, с Бахом на вокале. Один из лучших вокалистов, за всю историю рок-музыки! ❤🤟
F.I.O.
Это хеви-метал, точнее глэм-метал, но без гламура
Shane Page Music & Things
This was one of Skid Row's really most underated song to me personally. Damn I'm 45 now and miss when music like this actually had a message.