A Different World
Spice and Company Lyrics
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Our cribs were covered in lead-based paint
No childproof lids
No seatbelts in cars
Rode bikes with no helmets
And still here we are
Still here we are
Had three TV channels you got up to change
No video games and no satellite
All we had were friends and they were outside
Playing outside
It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world
School always started the same everyday
The pledge of allegiance, then someone would pray
Not every kid made the team when they tried
We got disappointed but that was alright
We turned out alright
It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world
No bottled water
We'd drink from a garden hose
And every Sunday,
All the stores were closed.
It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world
It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world
It was a different world
The lyrics to Spice and Company's song A Different World recall a time in the past, when things were simpler and easier. The first verse recounts the dangerous conditions that children of that time were raised in - mothers smoked and drank while pregnant, cribs were covered in lead-based paint, and seatbelts weren't available in cars. The chorus suggests that despite the increased risk, this past generation of children thrived, playing outside with friends, enjoying a childhood without video games, and learning that disappointment was a natural part of life. The final verse mentions some of the mundane aspects of daily life that were different in the past, such as drinking from a garden hose and all stores being closed on Sundays.
The lyrics are meant to convey a sense of nostalgia and yearning for a simpler, less complicated time. They are also a reminder that despite all the changes and advances of modern life, we can still find joy and contentment in the simple things, like spending time with family and friends or playing outdoors.
Overall, "A Different World" is a song that celebrates the past and the lessons it can still teach us today. It is a reminder that sometimes the best things in life are those that we take for granted, and that there is value in looking back and reflecting on what we have lost along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
We were born to mothers who smoked and drank
We were born to mothers who had unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking during pregnancy, which is now seen as a harmful practice that can lead to health complications for the child.
Our cribs were covered in lead-based paint
The cribs we slept in as infants were painted with lead-based paint, which we now know can lead to lead poisoning in young children.
No childproof lids
As children, we did not have items such as childproof lids on medication bottles and cleaning supplies, which could be a danger to young children if ingested.
No seatbelts in cars
The cars that we rode in as young children did not have the safety feature of seatbelts to protect us in case of an accident.
Rode bikes with no helmets
We rode our bikes without the proper safety equipment, such as helmets, which are now seen as a necessary precaution to prevent head injuries during falls or accidents.
And still here we are
Despite these unsafe conditions, we have survived and made it to the present day.
We got daddy's belt when we misbehaved
Discipline in our childhood often involved corporal punishment, such as being hit with a belt by our father.
Had three TV channels you got up to change
Our television viewing options were limited to three channels and required getting up to manually change the channel.
No video games and no satellite
We did not have access to modern forms of entertainment such as video games or satellite television.
All we had were friends and they were outside
Our main source of entertainment was playing with friends outside, without the distractions of technology.
Playing outside
Outdoor play was an important part of our childhood and a regular occurrence.
School always started the same everyday
Every school day began with the same routine and schedule.
The pledge of allegiance, then someone would pray
The morning school routine included the recitation of the pledge of allegiance and a prayer.
Not every kid made the team when they tried
Not every child who tried out for a sports team was guaranteed a spot on the team.
We got disappointed but that was alright
Although we experienced disappointment and rejection at times, we were able to move on while still maintaining a positive attitude.
We turned out alright
Despite the challenges and lack of modern amenities, we have grown up to be functioning and successful adults.
No bottled water
Our access to drinking water was limited to drinking directly from a garden hose.
We'd drink from a garden hose
Drinking water from a garden hose was a common occurrence and did not seem problematic at the time.
And every Sunday,
On Sundays,
All the stores were closed.
Retail stores were closed on Sundays, which was a reflection of different societal norms during that time.
It was a different life
Growing up during that time period was significantly different than what is experienced today.
When we were boys and girls
This different way of life mostly impacted our experiences during childhood, shaping the adults we became.
Not just a different time
The differences in lifestyle were not only due to a temporal shift, but also a result of societal and cultural changes across generations.
It was a different world
This unique way of living created a world that is not the same as the one experienced by today's youth.
Contributed by Kaelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.