Their debut single, I'm an Adult Now, quickly became a hit across Canada in 1986, sparked by a low-budget video which made it onto the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic. However, the band did not immediately sign to a record label, and released another independent single, Killed by Love, in 1988. The Amabile twins left the band that year, and were replaced by Kris Abbott and Leslie Stanwyck.
Also in 1988, they signed to Chrysalis Records. Their debut album, Love Junk, was produced by Todd Rundgren and released that year. "I'm an Adult Now" was re-recorded and released as a single again, making it to the charts a second time. The album sold over 100,000 copies in Canada, and was certified platinum, and is considered one of the classics of Canadian rock.
Stanwyck and Sinclair left, going on to form Universal Honey, after completing the band's follow-up with Rundgren, 1990's One-Sided Story.
Starting with the tour for the album, Brad Barker and Susan Murumets joined the lineup. Rachel Oldfield replaced Murumets in 1992. The band then went through difficulties with their record label, but signed to Mercury Records for 1993's The Downward Road.
Label troubles continued, and the band recorded their next two albums for the now-defunct Canadian label Iron Music. Oldfield left the band in 1995, and was replaced by Jennifer Foster, who in turn left the following year and was replaced by Renee Suchy.
Although the group never officially disbanded, after 1996 they did not record as a unit until 2005, when they recorded two new tracks for a greatest hits compilation.
I'm An Adult Now
The Pursuit Of Happiness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't get drunk just to spite them
I've got my own reasons to drink now
I think I'll call my dad up and invite him
I can sleep in till noon anytime I want
Though there's not many days that I do
Gotta get up and take on that world
'Cause I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
I can't even look at young girls anymore
People will think I'm some kind of pervert
Adult sex is either boring or dirty
Young people they can get away with murder
I don't write songs about girls anymore
I have to write songs about women
No more boy meets girl boy loses girl
More like man tries to understand what the hell went wrong
'Cause I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I can't take any more illicit drugs
I can't afford any artificial joy
I'd sure look like a fool dead in a ditch somewhere
With a mind full of chemicals
Like some cheese-eating high school boy
'Cause I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
Sometimes my head hurts and sometimes my stomach hurts
And I guess it won't be long
For I'm sitting in a room with a bunch
Of people whose necks and backs are aching
Whose sight and hearing's fading
Who just can't seem to get it up
Speaking of hearing, I can't take too much loud music
I mean I like to play it, but I sure don't like the racket
Noise, but I can't hear anything
Just guitars screaming, screaming, screaming
Some guy screaming in a leather jacket
Woah!
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
The song "I'm an Adult Now" by The Pursuit Of Happiness was released in 1986 and is considered as one of their most popular songs. The song is a tongue-in-cheek reflection of the singer's transition from adolescence to adulthood. It provides a sarcastic take on age-related societal expectations and how they come with an array of new problems and responsibilities.
The singer starts off by acknowledging that he does not hate his parents, nor does he drink to spite them anymore. He now drinks for his own reasons and actually plans on calling his dad to invite him. The song progresses and the singer describes how being an adult comes with problems and responsibilities that he never imagined he would be dealing with. He has to wake up and face the world, unlike when he was younger and could sleep in until noon. He can no longer look at young girls without being labeled a pervert and sex now seems either boring or dirty. He describes how he must write about women instead of girls and focus on understanding why relationships fail rather than the boy-meets-girl trope.
As the song progresses, the singer divulges that he can no longer take drugs or experience artificial joy. He knows he must face life with a clear mind and clear head. He acknowledges how his body is starting to hurt and how he surrounds himself with people who are also feeling the effects of growing old. The song concludes with the singer remarking on how he still enjoys music but cannot take the loud noise, especially when someone is screaming in a leather jacket.
Overall, the song depicts humor and irony while realistically portraying how the unexpected challenges of adulthood can take a toll on individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I don't hate my parents
I have no animosity towards my parents
I don't get drunk just to spite them
I don't drink alcohol to anger or displease my parents
I've got my own reasons to drink now
I have personal motivations for drinking alcohol
I think I'll call my dad up and invite him
I'll call my father and invite him to spend time with me
I can sleep in till noon anytime I want
I have the freedom to sleep in late if I choose to do so
Though there's not many days that I do
However, I don't usually take advantage of this flexibility
Gotta get up and take on that world
I need to face the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood
When your an adult it's no cliche it's the truth
Being an adult is not just a stereotype, it's a real and substantial experience
'Cause I'm an adult now
I am now considered an adult
I've got the problems of an adult
I have the difficult issues and concerns that come with adulthood
On my head and on my shoulders
These problems weigh heavily on me
I can't even look at young girls anymore
I have a natural aversion to looking at teenage girls to avoid any potential misinterpretation of my actions
People will think I'm some kind of pervert
Others may wrongly assume that I have inappropriate intentions
Adult sex is either boring or dirty
Sex as an adult is often viewed as either mundane or shameful
Young people they can get away with murder
Younger individuals are often excused for their transgressions
I don't write songs about girls anymore
I have outgrown writing songs about adolescent infatuation
I have to write songs about women
I now focus my creative energy on exploring complex relationships with mature romantic partners
No more boy meets girl boy loses girl
My songwriting has moved on from telling simplistic love stories
More like man tries to understand what the hell went wrong
My songs now explore the intricacies of adult relationships and their inevitable complications
I can't take any more illicit drugs
I need to avoid using illegal drugs
I can't afford any artificial joy
I cannot indulge in escapist behaviors that provide temporary pleasure at great personal cost
I'd sure look like a fool dead in a ditch somewhere
Any risk to my health or life from reckless activities is now unacceptably foolish
With a mind full of chemicals
I cannot afford the toxic effects of drug abuse on my mental health
Like some cheese-eating high school boy
I have grown up and left behind childish behaviors
Sometimes my head hurts and sometimes my stomach hurts
I now experience physical ailments that come with aging
And I guess it won't be long
I expect more health problems in the future
For I'm sitting in a room with a bunch
I may spend time in situations where others are experiencing similar aging-related issues
Of people whose necks and backs are aching
These individuals may experience physical pain and discomfort
Whose sight and hearing's fading
They may also face difficulties with their senses
Who just can't seem to get it up
Some may struggle with sexual performance due to aging-related factors
Speaking of hearing, I can't take too much loud music
My sensitivity to loud noise has increased with age
I mean I like to play it, but I sure don't like the racket
I still appreciate music, but prefer it at a reasonable volume
Noise, but I can't hear anything
Excessive noise can damage my hearing
Just guitars screaming, screaming, screaming
I don't enjoy music with overly aggressive, loud instrumentation
Some guy screaming in a leather jacket
I don't relate to the youthful rebellion embodied in certain rock music subcultures
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MOE BERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DJProfessorDan
The Pursuit Of Happiness, a Canadian power-pop band who named themselves after a line in the Declaration of Independence, having a hit with what can best be described as a hair-metal stand-up comedy routine.
Lead-singer/potential stand-up comedian Moe Berg – a name that I feel suits a stand-up comedian far better than it suits a rock star - complains about all the downsides of being an adult:
He can’t write songs about “girls” anymore. He has to write songs about “women.” No more boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl. More like MAN TRIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HELL WENT WRONG!!
Some of Moe’s observations on adult life don’t necessarily square with the lived experience of adult life: “I can sleep in til noon anytime that I want”? What adult does that? Oh, right, rock stars. Some of us live in the real world, Moe.
All the while the guitars are screaming, screaming, screaming, and some guy screaming in a leather jacket! OW!!!!
“I’m An Adult Now” is an 8.
@gregpanek523
I'm going on 70 and this is still my theme song.
@skipdadelish3030
Qq
@lucbarabe1830
Im 35 and suprised this isnt band lol. Love it.
@wernergoring9671
I'm 50 and this song still speaks to me as much as it did when I was twenty. =)
@yeldarbarrow3172
@Werner Goring 56 same here
@jezzylawson936
Your dad is probs dead tho
@MrOttopants
I saw these guys one time. They opened for someone, and the singer said, "I'm glad we can entertain you while you find your seats."
@TheVivian2727
Yup... that was me at 25, born in 1959. I'm 62 now. Still rings true.
@dallastropical
total video vixen good for you
@Vospader21
I’m 28 now, this song started to resonate with me about 2 years ago.