(1) The … Read Full Bio ↴Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.
(1) The first was a punk music trio formed by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern, in Hollywood, California in 1980. The band has broken up and subsequently re-formed a number of times. They have been together again for several years as of 2006, and playing shows throughout California. Youth Brigade have only released a few records, but were influential as the founders of the Better Youth Organization, an independent record label and concert booking firm.
(2) Youth Brigade was also another, unrelated punk band from Washington D.C., who released a 7" EP on Dischord Records in 1981. This band subsequently, during their short life, called themselves DC Youth Brigade. Youth Brigade DC also has 3 tracks featured on the 1982 Dischord compilation Flex Your Head. An unreleased song entitled "I Object" is also featured on the 20 Years of Dischord compliation set. Although only around for a short period of time the DC Youth Brigade played shows with the legendary Minor Threat. Their style is also now considered a classic example of American hardcore punk.
Alienated
Youth Brigade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The seeds of fortune became the grapes of wrath
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
Why are we, why are we, why are we - so alienated, so alienated?
I tell you when I walk in the streets
People look at me
They lock their doors to their cars and their homes
When I am near
What do they fear?
They fear the sounds
And what can be found
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
Why are we, why are we, why are we -- so alienated, so alienated?
Why are we, why are we, why are we -- so alienated, so alienated?
I know you look at me with disdain
I see the scorn on your face,
You can't keep me in place
Your world is falling apart
We're heading straight for the heart
Try all you want,
This restive age can't be stopped
The frontier's closed, the horizon is black
The seeds of fortune became the grapes of wrath
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
Why are we, why are we, why are we - so alienated, so alienated?
Why are we, why are we, why are we - so alienated, so alienated?
I tell you we don't want to be alienated
Just want our chance to see things change
Instead of stay the same
And if alienation is what we must face
It's a small price to pay
To see things our way
The Youth Brigade song, "Alienated" speaks to the feeling of isolation and rejection that comes with being an outsider. The opening lines of the song offer a bleak outlook, with the frontier being closed and the horizon being black, setting the tone for an uncertain future. The metaphorical language is continued when the "seeds of fortune" become the "grapes of wrath", which suggests that progress has turned into misery.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Music of a restive age," which can be interpreted as a plea for acceptance from those who don't understand this generation's music. The lyrics "no one wants you, no one needs you" further emphasizes the sense of isolation that comes with being misunderstood. The question, "why are we so alienated?" is asked repeatedly, offering no concrete answer, but instead highlighting the feeling of confusion and disconnect.
The second half of the song shifts from a general sense of feeling alienated to a more personal account. The singer describes how people look at him with disdain and fear, and they can't keep him in place. Essentially, he is saying that he won't conform to society's expectations. The song concludes with a declaration that alienation is a small price to pay to see things change, highlighting the power of individuality in a conformist society.
Line by Line Meaning
The frontier's closed, the horizon is black
The opportunities to make a difference are few and far between due to a lack of progress and development.
The seeds of fortune became the grapes of wrath
The potential for success has turned into frustration and anger due to various social and political issues.
Music of a restive age - unwanted, uninvited
The music that represents the feelings of this restless generation is not welcomed and is not given a platform to be heard.
Music of a restive age - no one wants you, no one needs you
The music that represents the feelings of this restless generation is not wanted and is not considered relevant or important.
Why are we, why are we, why are we - so alienated, so alienated?
Why are we feeling so disconnected and misunderstood in society?
I tell you when I walk in the streets
In my everyday life, I am met with suspicion and fear from others.
People look at me
Others perceive me, and others like me, as different or threatening.
They lock their doors to their cars and their homes
Others go so far as to protect themselves physically from those they perceive as a threat.
When I am near
Simply my presence evokes a strong response from others.
What do they fear?
What is it that scares others so much about people like me?
They fear the sounds
They are afraid of the noise and the messages that personify these groups.
And what can be found
They are afraid of the culture, ideas, and ways of life present within these groups.
I know you look at me with disdain
I am aware that I am being judged with contempt and disgust by others.
I see the scorn on your face,
I am aware of the personal and social implications stemming from the reaction of others.
You can't keep me in place
Their adverse reactions won't keep me from speaking up or taking my place in the world.
Your world is falling apart
The ideas and institutions that hold society together are disintegrating due to a lack of vision and social stagnation.
We're heading straight for the heart
We are approaching a critical moment when society must confront these issues head-on.
Try all you want,
Despite their best efforts and resistance to change.
This restive age can't be stopped
The social climate that inspires this kind of music and culture will not be quenched or silenced.
I tell you we don't want to be alienated
I and others like me don't wish to be disengaged from society.
Just want our chance to see things change
We want to be a part of shaping the world around us for the better.
Instead of stay the same
Instead of remaining stagnant and disengaged.
And if alienation is what we must face
If we must confront this issue to achieve the change we desire.
It's a small price to pay
It's a small sacrifice to make to see progress and social improvement in the long run.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind