21st Century Blues
Steve Earle & The Dukes (And Duchesses) Lyrics
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I have to say it ain't as cool as I hoped it would be
No man on the moon, nobody on Mars
Where the hell is my flying car?
Ain't nothing even like a teletransporter so far
It's hard times in the new millenium
Gettin' by on just the bare minimum
Going to hell and nobody cares
Ain't the future that Kennedy promised me
In the 21st century
Finally come to the age of Aquarius
And if we live through the Mayan apocalypse
There'll be pie in the sky above lemonade springs
A goddamn American utopian dream
If you believe that then you're more optimistic than me
Lights out in the heart of America
No love in a time of hysteria
It's head for the hills, every man for himself
Nobody helping out nobody else
Ain't the way that the Maharishi said it would be
In the 21st century
Pray for guidance, beg forgiveness
Vote for change and hope they find this
Only thing I know for sure is:
We stand now on the verge of history
The world can be anything that we want it to be
Where there's a will, there's a way
When there's a fire, there's a spark
Out in the streets, downtown in the park
Baby, the future's just waitin' on you and me
In the 21st century
In the 21st century
, Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses) sing about the disappointment and disillusionment with the current state of the world in the era of technological advancement. The opening lines express this dissatisfaction with the present, stating that the 21st century is not as cool as was hoped for. The lines "No man on the moon, nobody on Mars, where the hell is my flying car?" show the unfulfilled promises of technology and space exploration. The absence of a teletransporter, a futuristic mode of transportation, further highlights the stagnation in progress. The chorus of the song expresses the bleak reality of the times, with the lyrics "hard times in the new millennium, getting by on just the bare minimum". The future does not seem promising either as the lyrics "going to hell and nobody cares, ain’t the future that Kennedy promised me" express.
However, Earle also provides a glimmer of hope through the lyrics "pray for guidance, vote for change and hope they find this". He believes that the world can become anything that we want it to be, as the world stands on the cusp of great changes in history. The song concludes with a call to action and an optimistic outlook for the future, with the lines "where there's a will, there's a way, when there's a fire, there's a spark, baby, the future's just waiting on you and me, in the 21st century".
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am in the 21st century
I am currently living in the present day and age.
I have to say it ain't as cool as I hoped it would be
My initial expectations of the 21st century were not met and I find it to be lacking in some ways.
No man on the moon, nobody on Mars
There hasn't been any significant human space exploration in recent times.
Where the hell is my flying car?
Technology has not progressed as much as was once imagined, leaving certain things unfulfilled.
Ain't nothing even like a teletransporter so far
There is a lack of significant advances in transportation technology.
It's hard times in the new millenium
Current times are difficult and challenging.
Gettin' by on just the bare minimum
Living within one's means has become a necessity.
Everything to lose and nothing to spare
The stakes are high and there is little margin for error.
Going to hell and nobody cares
The state of society is grim and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.
Ain't the future that Kennedy promised me
The bright future that was imagined in the past has not come to pass.
Finally come to the age of Aquarius
There is a sense of entering into a new era.
And if we live through the Mayan apocalypse
Considering the idea of a potential cataclysmic event.
There'll be pie in the sky above lemonade springs
A utopian ideal of a perfect world with all needs met.
A goddamn American utopian dream
The perfect future is often idealized and associated with the United States.
If you believe that then you're more optimistic than me
The idea of a perfect future seems overly optimistic and unrealistic.
Lights out in the heart of America
The central part of the country is experiencing a period of darkness.
No love in a time of hysteria
People are fearful and anxious, resulting in negative emotions dominating society.
It's head for the hills, every man for himself
There is a sense of self-preservation and a lack of community in current times.
Nobody helping out nobody else
There is a sense of individuals being left to fend for themselves and a lack of collective aid.
Ain't the way that the Maharishi said it would be
The idealistic vision of a peaceful future that some believed in has not been achieved.
Pray for guidance, beg forgiveness
Appealing to a higher power for wisdom and mercy in uncertain times.
Vote for change and hope they find this
Believing in the transformative power of democracy and the possibility of societal improvement through political action.
Only thing I know for sure is:
The only certain thing in uncertain times is the possibility of change.
We stand now on the verge of history
We are currently in a momentous time of change and potential societal transformation.
The world can be anything that we want it to be
Through collective actions, people have the power to create the future they wish to see.
Where there's a will, there's a way
Through determination and effort, anything is possible.
When there's a fire, there's a spark
Small beginnings can lead to major changes and impact.
Out in the streets, downtown in the park
The possibility of change exists everywhere, from large public spaces to city streets.
Baby, the future's just waitin' on you and me
It is up to individuals to make a positive impact on the future.
In the 21st century
All of the above sentiments and beliefs are reflective of current times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE EARLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind