Younger Generation
The Lovin' Spoonful Lyrics

Why must every generation think their folks are square
Each new generation sees their parents as out of touch and uncool.

And no matter where their heads are they know mom's ain't there
No matter how progressive the new generation may seem, they still feel a lack of understanding from their parents.

'Cause I swore when I was small that I'd remember when
When the singer was young, they made a conscious decision to remember how it felt to be dismissed and unsupported by adults.

I knew what's wrong with them that I was smaller then
The singer believed that as they grew older, they would have a better understanding of why their parents behaved the way they did when they were young.

Determined to remember all the cardinal rules
The singer was determined to remember all the important lessons they learned from their parents.

Like sun showers are legal grounds for cutting school
The singer remembered one of the fun rules they learned as a child, that they could skip school when it rains while the sun is still shining.

I know I have forgotten maybe one or two
The singer acknowledges they may have forgotten some of the lessons taught to them by their parents.

And I hope that I recall them all before the baby's due
The singer hopes to remember all the important lessons before they have a child of their own.

And I know he'll have a question or two
The singer acknowledges that their future child will still have questions and curiosities about the world, just like they did.

Like 'hey Pop, can I go ride my zoom
The child of the singer asks for permission to do something exciting and potentially risky.

It goes two hundred miles an hour suspended on balloons
The child describes the thrilling but unrealistic activity they want to do.

And can I put a droplet of this new stuff on my tongue
The child asks about experimenting with drugs and psychedelics.

And imagine frothing dragons while you sit and wreck your lungs'
The child sees these experiences as positive, while also acknowledging the harm it may cause to adults like their father.

And I must be permissive, understanding of the younger generation
The singer understands the importance of allowing their child to experiment and explore, while also keeping them safe and informed.

Then I'll know that all I've learned my kid assumes
The singer knows that their child will eventually take the lessons they've taught for granted, just like they did with their own parents.

And all my deepest worries must be his cartoons
The worries and anxieties of the singer will seem insignificant and silly to their child, who will be more concerned with their own interests and entertainment.

And still I'll try to tell them him all the things I've done
The singer will still attempt to share their own experiences and wisdom with their child, even if they may not fully appreciate it.

Relating to what he can do when he becomes a man
The singer hopes to give their child guidance on becoming a mature and responsible adult.

And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan
The singer knows that their child will inevitably make mistakes and take risks, despite their best efforts to steer them in the right direction.

And 'Hey, Pop, my girlfriend's only three
The child asks a disturbing and inappropriate question about relationships and sex.

She's got her own videophone and she's taking L.S.D.
The child describes a shocking situation involving a young girl and drug use.

And now that we're best friends she wants to give a bit to me
The child's relationship with this young girl is unsettling and potentially dangerous.

But what's the matter Daddy, how come you're turning green?
The child is oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, while the singer is alarmed and upset.

Can it be that you can't live up to your dreams?'
The child is questioning the authority and wisdom of their parent.