Along with fellow California punk bands Green Day and Rancid, The Offspring have been credited with reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the United States during the mid-1990s. To date, The Offspring has released eight studio albums, one compilation, four EPs and three DVDs. They have sold over 34 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling punk rock acts of all time. Each album since the release of their 1994 album Smash has sold over a million units.
Since the release of Smash, which is the best-selling independent label album of all time, The Offspring has achieved commercial success over five albums, with singles such as "Come Out and Play", and "Self Esteem". The band’s next three albums, Ixnay on the Hombre, Americana and Conspiracy of One, were also successful, with Ixnay on the Hombre and Conspiracy of One reaching platinum certification, and Americana achieving multi-platinum status. Longtime drummer Ron Welty left The Offspring in early 2003, and was replaced by Atom Willard. Later that year, the band released their next album, Splinter, to moderate sales and fairly warm reviews. In 2005, The Offspring released a greatest hits album and toured in support of the compilation. Their eighth studio album, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, was released on June 17, 2008 with the hit singles "You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid" and "Hammerhead."
Days Go By is the band’s ninth studio album and is due to be released on June 26, 2012. The Days Go By Songfacts reports that the title track was released as the first single and was premiered on KROQ on April 27, 2012.
2. Offspring was a short-lived English pop duo of the early 1970s, consisting of Mike Brayn and John Howard, who met at Hurstpierpoint College in Sussex, United Kingdom. They released just one single, 'Windfall' (1972). Their planned studio album was never completed.
The Opioid Diaries
The Offspring Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Their end of days started with a pill
But they're not junkies like the news guy said
They're just kids who've gotten over their heads
Big Pharma hooked them in the first place
And it won't stop
You're gonna run out of luck
You could still find your way, you know
It won't get better
Come on home while you can
I know I don't understand
You could still find your way, you know
It won't get better
When those pills are gone, what's gonna happen?
When those pills are gone, what drug is next?
We've made a nation full of kids on dope
They're looking down now at the end of their rope
So now who's gonna come and fix this
'Cause it won't stop
Come on, don't tie it off
I'll be your undoer of knots
You could still find your way, you know
It won't get better
Come on home while you can
I know I don't understand
You could still find your way, you know
It won't get better
It won't get better
It won't get better
It won't get better
It won't get better
Now we've made a nation full of kids on dope
They're looking down now at the end of their rope
So now who's gonna come and fix this
'Cause it won't stop now
Yeah, yeah
'Cause they're not junkies like the news guy said
They're just kids who've gotten over their heads
Big Pharma hooked them in the first place
And it won't stop
Come on, Sean, you're on drugs
You're gonna run out of luck
You could still find your way, you know
It won't get better
Come on home while you can
I know I don't understand
You could still find your way, you know
It will get better
The Offspring's song "The Opioid Diaries" tells a story about the current opioid crisis happening in the US. The opening lines "Their end of days looks more like tomorrow / Their end of days started with a pill" refers to the deathly addiction spiral caused by prescription of painkillers, which is the starting point for many people who succumb to the nationwide opioid epidemic. The chorus "Come on, Sean, you're on drugs / You're gonna run out of luck / You could still find your way, you know / It won't get better" indicates the singer's attempts to reach out to a friend who is addicted to drugs, which can lead to fatal consequences if left ignored.
The lyrics showcase a perspective that is often overlooked, one that highlights that the people affected by this crisis are not just faceless junkies or addicts, but rather ordinary people who fell victim to a system that is altogether broken. The song attributes blame to Big Pharma, the pharmaceutical industry in America that is responsible for the manufacture and sale of these opioid drugs. The lyrics "Big Pharma hooked them in the first place / And it won't stop" is a jab at the industry that profited heavily off the proliferation of opioid prescriptions over the past few decades.
Overall, The Offspring's "The Opioid Diaries" is a heartbreaking commentary on the current opioid crisis. It sheds light on the humanity behind the raging epidemic and serves as a call to action for all those who are affected by it.
Line by Line Meaning
Their end of days looks more like tomorrow
The consequences of their actions as a result of drug addiction will materialize soon and will be disastrous
Their end of days started with a pill
The addiction to opioids began with the consumption of a seemingly harmless pill
But they're not junkies like the news guy said
The people afflicted with opioid addiction are often vilified by the media, but they are not actually bad people
They're just kids who've gotten over their heads
These people are young and unknowingly got involved with something much bigger than they anticipated
Big Pharma hooked them in the first place
Pharmaceutical companies developed and marketed these highly-addictive drugs and bear some responsibility in this epidemic
And it won't stop
The epidemic of opioid addiction is continuing to grow and shows no signs of slowing down
Come on, Sean, you're on drugs
The singer is imploring Sean to recognize his addiction and seek help before it's too late
You're gonna run out of luck
Without intervention, Sean's addiction will eventually catch up to him and ruin his life
You could still find your way, you know
There's still hope for Sean to turn his life around and beat his addiction with the right help and support
It won't get better
The problem of opioid addiction will not improve on its own and requires action to solve
Come on home while you can
The singer is urging Sean to come back home to safety and support
I know I don't understand
The artist acknowledges that they may not be able to fully comprehend the struggles and complexities of addiction
When those pills are gone, what's gonna happen?
The aftermath of addiction, including withdrawal and the possibility of turning to other drugs, is often overlooked
When those pills are gone, what drug is next?
Addiction is often a gateway to other forms of substance abuse as individuals chase the same high they once experienced
We've made a nation full of kids on dope
The widespread addiction to opioids has impacted a large portion of the population, including young people
They're looking down now at the end of their rope
Those struggling with addiction may feel hopeless and close to giving up
So now who's gonna come and fix this
The epidemic of opioid addiction requires a solution, but it's not clear who is responsible for implementing it
'Cause it won't stop now
Again emphasizing the rampant spread of opioid addiction and the need for intervention to stop it
Come on, don't tie it off
The singer is urging someone not to do something harmful, like tie off a vein to use drugs
I'll be your undoer of knots
The artist is offering to help the person out of their current difficult situation
It will get better
Despite the bleak outlook, with the right treatment and support, there is hope for people to beat their addiction and make a better life for themselves
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bryan Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Reuben Kincaid
You gotta give Dexter credit man, he loves to take on the shit he sees in real life. The desperation and pain in this song is so real to so many. If you're gonna sing something to millions of people, why not say things that need to be said.
TE PIACE ER JAPPO?
You're great guys, best punk rock band ever! I follow you since "Smash"! I struggled with addiction, too, needless to say how important this song is to me.
Vinícius Astonish
@Squalo Oceano you're right, in your opinion. Also it is stupid to compare bands. We can always like both without the need to this bulshit.
S
@Squalo Oceano the same to me, I've been a fan of these guys since Ignition and Dookie. It's rather difficult to me to say whose music is of a higher quality. Tastes differ. If I feel like listening to guitar solos I turn Offspring on, if I'm in mood for an uncomplicated 3 - chord punk rock there's nothing better than GD
Squalo Oceano
@S perhaps in popularity when it comes to history, but popularity doesn’t coincide with quality, and in my opinion quality and consistency is much better with Green Day. I do love both bands though.
S
@Squalo Oceano But in my opinion, there is no need to compare these 2 great bands at all. Both Offspring and Green Day are unique in their own way. If we take Dexter's and Billy's best hits, to find out which of them are more popular is really a hard nut to crack.
Squalo Oceano
Your opinion is valid, and Offspring is great, but they’re nothing compared to Green Day in my opinion.
VirtualEnsaniti
For everyone posting on here that is dealing with or defeated this nightmare(myself included) you're all amazing and stronger than you know! Be proud and keep fighting to save those who have no voice right now 🤟✌️💕
A1
▶️🙋♂️🎸
Paulo Gazolla
If only MTV had this quality nowadays. Thank you offspring.