Youth Brigade can refer to two different punk music groups.

(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.

You Don't Understand
Youth Brigade Lyrics

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You don't understand the way we feel to you our lives are so unreal you hope it's just a passing fad we'll aspire to live the lives that you never had you say that we should not complain hear it over and over again but you don't seem to realize how uncertain you've made our lives criticize everything we do chastise what you don't aprove your life is lies we despise you can't even look me in the eyes to you our lives are so unwise you say that you hear everything but it's obvious you're not listening you don't understand, you can't realize, ignorance is in your eyes! you truth is just a point of view don't care about it or any of you you think you've made our lives so great no generation ever had such a fate

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Youth Brigade's song "You Don't Understand" perfectly captures the angst and frustration felt by many young people towards older generations. The song is a powerful commentary on the generational divide and the lack of understanding that often exists between them. The opening lines "you don't understand the way we feel to you our lives are so unreal" highlights the disconnect that exists between the older and younger generations. The older generations often view younger people's concerns as frivolous or insignificant, while the younger generations feel like their struggles are completely ignored.

The lyrics go on to criticize the older generations for trying to dismiss the younger generation's concerns as just a passing fad. They also highlight the constant admonishment of the older generations, who tell young people not to complain, which only serves to further alienate them. The song also expresses the frustration felt by young people towards the older generation's lack of empathy and their critical attitude towards everything the younger generation does.

Overall, "You Don't Understand" is a powerful statement of frustration and anger felt by young people towards the older generation. It conveys the message that older generations must strive to listen and understand the younger generation's perspective in order to bridge the generational divide and create a better world for all.

Line by Line Meaning

you don't understand the way we feel
You lack the ability to comprehend our emotions

to you our lives are so unreal
From your perspective, our lives are not authentic

you hope it's just a passing fad
You wish that our interests and lifestyle are just temporary trends

we'll aspire to live the lives that you never had
We strive to have experiences that you have never had

you say that we should not complain
You advise us against expressing our grievances

hear it over and over again
We repeatedly hear your discouragement and disapproval

but you don't seem to realize how uncertain you've made our lives
Your lack of support and understanding have caused us to feel insecure about our future

criticize everything we do
You find fault in all our actions

chastise what you don't approve
You punish us for things that do not meet your standards

your life is lies we despise
We strongly dislike the deceitful nature of your lifestyle

you can't even look me in the eyes
You cannot maintain eye contact with us

to you our lives are so unwise
In your eyes, our lives are foolish

you say that you hear everything
You claim to listen to everything we say

but it's obvious you're not listening
Your actions reveal that you are not truly attentive to us

you don't understand, you can't realize, ignorance is in your eyes!
You completely lack understanding and are willfully ignorant of our struggles!

you truth is just a point of view
Your idea of reality is based solely on your perspective

don't care about it or any of you
You do not value us or our opinions

you think you've made our lives so great
You believe that you have improved our lives with little evidence to support that claim

no generation ever had such a fate
You believe that our generation has a unique and exceptional destiny