They made a name for themselves by consistently touring over the United States. Rather than signing with a known label, they initially decided to found their own, Chunksaah Records (named after their long-time friend Timmy Chunks), but are now releasing their albums on Epitaph Records.
The Bouncing Souls are one of the best selling and longest lived of the punk bands from New Jersey, following the legacy of previously successful punk bands Adrenalin OD and the Misfits.
DISCOGRAPHY
Studio albums
The Good, The Bad & The Argyle (1994)
Maniacal Laughter (1996)
Bouncing Souls (1997)
Hopeless Romantic (1999)
How I Spent My Summer Vacation (2001)
Anchors Aweigh (2003)
The Gold Record (2006)
Ghosts on the Boardwalk (2010)
Comet (2012)
Live and Compilation albums
The Bad the Worse and the Out of Print (2002)
Live (2005)
Splits
BYO Split Series, Vol. 4 (With Anti-Flag) (2002)
EPs
The Greenball Crew (1993)
Tie One On (1998)
Fight to Live (1999)
Gone (2001)
DVDs
Do You Remember? 15 Years of the Bouncing Souls (2003)
Live at the Glasshouse (2005)
""7" Records"
Ugly Bill (1991) (pressed on black and also transparent green wax)
"The Argyle e.p. (1993) (pressed on black, yellow, green, and red wax, some had green and yellow covers)
"Tales Of Doomed Romance" (1994) (split ep with the band Buglite pressed on red and black wax)
"Neurotic" (1994) (pressed on black and yellow wax)
"Bouncing Souls/Weston split" (1994) (pressed on black and red wax)
"Split EP" (1995) (pressed on black with the bands basic skills, youth gone mad, and the reviled, some have red stamped cover some black)
"Johnny X" (1995) (pressed on black wax)
"Fight to Live" (1999) (pressed on orange wax, distributed by epitaph europe)
"Tales Of Doomed Romance" (2001) (reissued split ep with the band ZeroZero pressed on yellow and black wax)
"Bouncing Souls/Lucky Stiffs Split" (2005) (pressed on splatter wax and 1500 picture disks)
Kid
The Bouncing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You used to be the one
That we looked up to
Seemed like nothing could break you down
How high was your price?
Was it worth it?
Nothing in life is a sure bet anyway, you're gone
Guess you weren't here from the start
Its all a question of heart
Hey, where have you gone?
You used to be the one
That we looked up to
Seemed like nothing could break you down
How high was the price?
And was it worth it?
Nothing in life is a sure bet anyway, you're gone
I guess you were here from the start
In the end
Its all a question of heart
Hey, where did it go?
Everything we fought for
And everything it meant,
Maybe we were just naive
But I still believe
There are only a few things
That really belong to make who I am
Who I was
Who I want to be
Who I want to be
Hey, where have I gone?
I used to be the one
Looking for a hero
In some far off place
Blindly ever forward
Never knowing all along
The truth was right here in my own song
The song “Kids and Heroes” by The Bouncing Souls describes a nostalgic feeling for a time when the world seemed more innocent, and there was hope that someone out there could save the day. The first verse starts by asking where someone has gone who was once a hero. The lyrics then express a sense of disappointment, questioning whether the person was really worth idolizing and suggesting that life is never a sure thing. The chorus repeats the same questions, with the realization that the hero wasn’t present from the beginning, and that ultimately everything comes down to a matter of heart.
The second verse takes a more personal turn, asking where the singer themselves have gone, who used to also be looking for a hero. The lyrics suggest a sense of disillusionment, as if the singer has lost their sense of purpose and direction, and have been searching for something that has been within them all along. The final line, “the truth was right here in my own song,” implies that the song itself is a way to find meaning and purpose, and to feel connected to something larger than oneself.
Overall, “Kids and Heroes” is a reflective song about growing up and losing the innocence of childhood. It is about realizing that the world is not as simple as we once thought, but that there is still hope to be found in the things that truly matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, where have you gone?
Asking where someone who was once held in high esteem has disappeared to.
You used to be the one
That we looked up to
Seemed like nothing could break you down
You were a respected figure who seemed invincible.
How high was your price?
Was it worth it?
Nothing in life is a sure bet anyway, you're gone
Did achieving such a high status come at a great cost? Was the price worth the outcome? Life is unpredictable and you have disappeared.
Guess you weren't here from the start
In the end
Its all a question of heart
Perhaps you weren't really committed to the cause from the beginning. Ultimately, one's true intentions are revealed by the heart.
Hey, where did it go?
Everything we fought for
And everything it meant,
Maybe we were just naive
What happened to the values and principles we fought for? Perhaps we were naive to think they could last forever.
But I still believe
There are only a few things
That really belong to make who I am
Who I was
Who I want to be
Who I want to be
Despite the disillusionment, there are still a few things that define who I am, who I was, and who I want to be.
Hey, where have I gone?
I used to be the one
Looking for a hero
In some far off place
Blindly ever forward
Never knowing all along
The truth was right here in my own song
Realizing that you were once searching for someone to look up to, but in reality, the answer was always within you. You just needed to listen to your own voice and follow your own path.
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: BRYAN T KIENLEN, GREGORY A ATTONITO, MICHAEL H MCDERMOTT, PETER WILLIAM STEINKOPF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ricardo Maran
You're a good kid
Play the game to break your heart
You've gotta get back to where you started
Pay attention now
Or it'll slip by
It's your heart, don't let it die
Leave it all behind
Whoa, catchy line
Is it true when we get old our hearts die?
I heard it in a movie once and I think I know why
Life, it sucks so bad, it makes you wanna die
Whoa, but you get by
Life goes by [x3]
You're a good kid, you've still got the fire in you
Hanging around, you don't know what to do
Don't think too much
Just let it loose
Get up, now's your chance
We are here and we make you dance
You are not alone, this is our home
Life goes by [x3]
Sherman Daniel
I may have grown out of my "punk phase", but this is still one of my favorite songs ever.
Evan May
San Dan dude so true. This song and Who Would’ve Thought/Corazon de oro by Rancid
Mark O'Connor
I'm hopelessly a punk forever. Been a part of me since I was a child of the early 70s. I've probably seen the Souls and DKM at least a dozen times each. I love all music. I've seen great opera, jazz, blues, metal, rap, name it, but always find myself coming back to punk. The Souls are the peaceniks of punk and so underrated.
Chris Mcfarland
When I was 18/20ish had either a mohawk or misfit. Still listen to these jams. Growing up doesn't mean forgetting. My 2 girls listen to this with me.
JJ
@Mark O'Connor life is too short to ignore entire genres or be close minded about music. You have a great attitude. I almost feel guilty for not supporting these bands more like you have. It's like I blinked and 20 years went by. I guess it's like the souls say, life goes by.
Ricardo Maran
You're a good kid
Play the game to break your heart
You've gotta get back to where you started
Pay attention now
Or it'll slip by
It's your heart, don't let it die
Leave it all behind
Whoa, catchy line
Is it true when we get old our hearts die?
I heard it in a movie once and I think I know why
Life, it sucks so bad, it makes you wanna die
Whoa, but you get by
Life goes by [x3]
You're a good kid, you've still got the fire in you
Hanging around, you don't know what to do
Don't think too much
Just let it loose
Get up, now's your chance
We are here and we make you dance
You are not alone, this is our home
Life goes by [x3]
KillingTimeUK
loved this song 4 years n years! thank u punk-a-rama!!
Scuba Steve #2
Yes! no. 5
steverb100
Punks grow up,change,evolve,redefine their beliefs but the punk scene you,we or anyone grew up in shapes yer life, holds a profound meaning, maintains an impact forever, regardless of what other people consider punk. The punk scene I was in is totally different than others. The Bouncing Souls had a profound impact in my life and my friends who I consider brothers lives...Yet I like Varukers and they like Saves The Day,those lousy wimps.
MichaelD8393
My high school band jammed this song all the time back in the day and the crowds would always dance to it. Not just mosh; dance!