It'll Be a Long Time
The Offspring Lyrics


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All this time has whittled away
Like so many days in one
Back and forth the leaders sway
Backing it up with guns

Superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed while citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes

When will the world listen to reason?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
When will the truth come into season?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
I have a feeling it'll be a long time

All they want is what they can defend
Before their time is up
Make the same mistakes again
Heard it all before

Superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed while citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes

When will the world listen to reason?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
When will the truth come into season?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
I have a feeling it'll be a long time

Well, if they tried, maybe they'd see
It'd do a little good to let the world be free
Handshake and a smile gets you on through
Then turn it all around with a suicide move

But you know it's not fooling anyone but me
You gotta make yourself see what you want to see
But you know it's not fooling anyone but me
You gotta make yourself see what you want to see, oh yeah

I see you, superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed while citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes

When will the world listen to reason?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
When will the truth come into season?




I have a feeling it'll be a long time
I have a feeling it'll be a long time, oh yay

Overall Meaning

The Offspring's song "It'll Be a Long Time" is a commentary on the state of the world, particularly on the issue of power and leadership. The lyrics suggest that those in control often use violence and force to maintain their position, disregarding the needs of their citizens. The line "Superpowers flex their wings, hold the world on puppet strings" is a metaphor for how these leaders wield their power over the rest of the world. Meanwhile, the citizens suffer and bleed, highlighting the contrast between those in power and those who are oppressed.


The chorus of the song asks when the world will "listen to reason" and "when the truth [will] come into season." The singer expresses doubt that this will happen anytime soon, saying "I've got a feeling it'll be a long time." The song suggests that change is difficult to achieve because those in power are only interested in protecting their own interests, and they are unwilling to learn from past mistakes. The line "all they want is what they can defend, before their time is up, make the same mistakes again" speaks to this idea.


The verses of the song are filled with metaphors and powerful imagery that highlight the themes of the song. For example, the idea of leaders "backing it up with guns" is a vivid depiction of how power is maintained through violence. Overall, "It'll Be a Long Time" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world and the difficulty of achieving meaningful change.


Line by Line Meaning

All this time has whittled away
Months and years have passed away slowly and gradually


Like so many days in one
The time spent seems like a single elongated day


Back and forth the leaders sway
The world leaders keep changing their decisions


Backing it up with guns
They use weapons as a way to assert their decisions


Superpowers flex their wings
The powerful countries exhibit their strength


Hold the world on puppet strings
They manipulate the world according to their whims and fancies


Egos will feed
Their vanity will be satisfied


While citizens bleed
The general population will suffer the consequences


That's always the way it goes
This is a recurring pattern in the world


When will the world listen to reason
When will people start being logical and sensible?


I've got a feeling it'll be a long time
It will take an extended period for people to accept rationality


When will the truth come in to season
When will honesty and reality become prominent?


All they want is what they can defend
People only seek what they can hold on to


Before their time is up
Before their existence comes to an end


Make the same mistakes again
People will repeat their errors


Heard it all before
That's nothing new


Well if they tried
If people genuinely attempted to change


Maybe they'd see
Perhaps they would realize


It'd do a little good to let the world be free
It wouldn't hurt to let people live freely


Handshake and a smile
A simple greeting with a grin


Gets you on through
It will help you pass through easily


Then turn it all around with a suicide move
Unexpectedly, people sometimes choose actions that lead to their downfall


But you know it's not fooling anyone but me
It might appear convincing to oneself, but not to anyone else


You gotta make yourself see what you want to see
People see only what they wish to perceive




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bryan Holland

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@aiir3

All this time has whittled away
Like so many days in one
Back and forth the leaders sway
Backing it up with guns
Superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed
While citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes
When will the world listen to reason
I've a feeling it'll be a long time
When will the truth come in to season
I've a feeling it'll be a long time
All they want is what they can defend
Before their time is up
Make the same mistakes again
Heard it all before
Superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed
While citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes
Well if they tried maybe they'd see
It'd do a little good to let the world be free
Handshake and a smile Gets you on through
Then turn it all around with a suicide move
But you know it's not fooling anyone but me
You gotta make yourself see what you want to see



@Drakkanna69

All this time has whittled away
Like so many days in one
Back and forth the leaders sway
Backing it up with guns

Superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed
While citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes

When will the world listen to reason?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
When will the truth come into season?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
I have a feeling it'll be a long time

All they want is what they can defend
Before their time is up
Make the same mistakes again
Heard it all before

Superpowers flex their wings
Hold the world on puppet strings
Egos will feed
While citizens bleed
That's always the way it goes

When will the world listen to reason?
I have a feeling it'll be a long time
When will the truth come into…



All comments from YouTube:

@leondelsolar1961

This album is a masterpiece, It deserves to be studied by new generation

@Noodles083

In fact, it is still nowadays the best selling album released by an independent record label. Big words

@enzopelle3263

Check ☑️

@devilsoffspring5519

@@Noodles083 That kicks such ass. An instant classic back in 1994, still a ripper today.

@londongoddamnit

very good, almost an understatement.

@devilsoffspring5519

@@londongoddamnit And very relaxing! :)

7 More Replies...

@kevinswift850

interlude with "WELL IF THEY TRIED MAYBE THEY'LL SEE", is so standout amongst their talent itself!!! what a band!!!

@Pittmeister79

I always loved that part of this song!

@dennismassenkeil9812

One of the most underated songs by The Offspring!!!!!

@sashav6735

loving it. one of my favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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