What's Wrong
Sweetwater Lyrics


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What's wrong in our schools?
Politicians are blowing their cools
Over they who refuse to abide by the rules
Though they should be separate dealings

What's wrong at the zoo?
The animals sense all our fears coming through
Our facade yet there's not a thing that they can do
It's hurting their poor, helpless feelings
What's wrong?

What is wrong?
What is wrong?

What's wrong with our folks?
Strong and solid as hundred-year oaks
So firm in their ways that they think we are jokes
They just don't know why

What's wrong in their head?
Won't they just try to see it once our way instead
If they did then there would not be any young dead
No reason to cry
What's wrong?

Won't you tell me
What is wrong in your heart?
Do you feel that soon mankind and reason will part?
As each day it worsens you feel we will start
On that anxiously dark, endless journey

What's wrong with this top?
As it spins each year gives us a worsening crop
Of hatred that one day will cause it to stop
A lesson we all should be learning
What's wrong?





What's wrong?
What's wrong?

Overall Meaning

The song "What's Wrong" by Sweetwater is a reflective and sentimental expression of the struggles and issues of society. The opening lines poignantly ask, "What's wrong in our schools?" and the answer lies in the frustration of politicians who are unable to control those who refuse to follow rules. This greatly impacts the functioning of schools and the learning environment of students. The song then moves to a contrasting scene at the zoo where, despite the animals sensing the fear and negativity of humans, they are unable to do anything about it. The lyrics suggest that this is hurting their feelings and making them feel helpless, which is a powerful metaphor for the impact of human behavior on our planet.


The song continues to describe the struggles of society, including the stubbornness of those who refuse to change their ways and the consequences it has on young people. The overarching theme, however, is the speculation of whether humankind will soon fall into a dark and anxious journey of destruction, or whether we will learn the lessons of hatred and begin to change our ways.


Overall, the song is a deep reflection on the issues plaguing our society and the desperate need for change. It asks the listener to consider what is wrong in their own heart and to take a moment to reflect on the state of humanity.


Line by Line Meaning

What's wrong in our schools?
What are the problems in our education system?


Politicians are blowing their cools
Politicians are losing their temper


Over they who refuse to abide by the rules
Over those who don't follow the rules


Though they should be separate dealings
However, politicians shouldn't interfere in these matters.


What's wrong at the zoo?
What are the problems at the zoo?


The animals sense all our fears coming through
The animals can sense the emotions of humans.


Our facade yet there's not a thing that they can do
Despite their sensing, they can't do anything about it.


It's hurting their poor, helpless feelings
The emotions of the animals are being impacted.


What's wrong?
What are the issues or problems?


What is wrong?
What is the problem?


What's wrong with our folks?
What's wrong with our parents or elders?


Strong and solid as hundred-year oaks
They are strong and firm in their beliefs.


So firm in their ways that they think we are jokes
They are so set in their ways that they don't understand us.


They just don't know why
They lack understanding.


What's wrong in their head?
What's wrong with their thinking?


Won't they just try to see it once our way instead
Why won't they just try to understand our perspective?


If they did then there would not be any young dead
If they understood, young people wouldn't be at risk.


No reason to cry
There would be no need for sadness or tears.


What's wrong?
What's wrong or what are the issues?


Won't you tell me
Can you please explain?


What is wrong in your heart?
What is the issue that deeply affects you?


Do you feel that soon mankind and reason will part?
Do you think that people will stop using reason and logic?


As each day it worsens you feel we will start
As things deteriorate, do you think we will eventually lose our way?


On that anxiously dark, endless journey
On a journey with no end in sight and full of worry.


What's wrong with this top?
What's wrong with the situation at the top of society?


As it spins each year gives us a worsening crop
As time passes, things are getting worse.


Of hatred that one day will cause it to stop
Hatred will eventually lead to the collapse of society.


A lesson we all should be learning
We should all learn from this.


What's wrong?
What's wrong or what are the issues?


What's wrong?
What's wrong or what are the issues?




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ZOPPO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@adrianmonk1917

Sweetwater was an American rock band originally from Los Angeles, California. They were the act scheduled to open the Woodstock Festival in 1969; however, due to being stopped by the police on their way to the festival, folksinger Richie Havens' trio (Daniel Ben Zebulon, percussion, Paul "Deano" Williams, guitar, backing vocals) performed first. Sweetwater performed next, becoming the first band to perform at the festival.[1]

@scarlettgallegos9724

i was in my college English class the other day wondering why my professor looks so familiar... as i'm listening to sweetwater i come to realize my professor is this legendary female!!! i knew i loved her

@michaelcraig9449

Who is she, post it up!

@johanneskrohn9887

@@michaelcraig9449Nancy Nevins

@cathylondon5078

listening to Sweetwater gives me shivers. had the honor of seeing them in person a few years ago in Orange County and
it was an awesome concert. I hope they perform near me soon again! THANK YOU SWEETWATER and especially to
Nansi Nevins.

@ronspop01

Oh, I just LOVE this song. The beautiful vocal harmonies, the imaginative arrangement, the thought-provoking lyrics and, of course, that groovy counter-culture sound. Great stuff!

@JulietG1972

This my favorite Sweetwater's song. I was born in 1972 and way too young to know who they were in the 1970s but learned about them through the movie Sweetwater. 😍

@RandyR

Have the movie on my channel. That's how I really became aware of them.

@larryjensen2760

This is a great band and what a great song and this lead singer is a teacher at Glendale College which is right near where I live I wish more people would listen to their lyrics but then I'm a hippie

@rogerdudra178

When they released this album we never asked ourselves the question of whether we had to stop being hippies when we got old.

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