Youth Of Today split in 1990 after releasing two studio albums and two 7" EPs, but have since reformed several times for reunion shows. Frontman Ray Cappo went on to form Hare Krishna bands Shelter (with Porcelly on guitar) and Better Than A Thousand, and would later cause controversy in the straight edge scene after being seen drinking a glass of wine in Italy while on tour.
What Goes Around
Youth of Today Lyrics
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Shows me the decency that you lack
You're fucking with feelings and fucking with heads
And live for the moment is all that you've said
What goes around comes around
So watch yourself cause you're falling down
Abusing, misusing you're out of control
Your mind, spirit and body will take their toll
Cause temporary pleasure is what you strive for
Taken what you've wanted, stepped on what's in your way
But there will be a price that you'll have to pay
Easy acquaintances, broken friends
Happy now but the loser in the end
Broken promises, broken hearts
Walk away when the pain starts
You take what's yours you still want more
If you only knew what's in store
The song "What Goes Around" by Youth of Today is a warning to those who live solely for the moment and have a half-ass commitment to anything they do. The lyrics assert that such individuals lack decency and engage in casual acts that eventually lead to the misuse and abuse of other people's feelings and minds. The song's theme is that one's actions have consequences, and those who mistreat others will receive their just reward. "What Goes Around" is a call to those who exploit others to watch themselves because they are falling down, and their mind, spirit, and body will eventually take their toll. The chorus repeats the phrase, "What goes around comes around," emphasizing that one should be prepared to face the consequences of one's actions.
The verses of the song describe the dangerous path that the person being addressed by the lyrics is on. The individual is a slave to their senses and seeks pleasure without thinking of the consequences. Youth of Today sings that the person has taken what they want and stepped on what was in their way but warns that they will eventually pay a price for their actions. The song suggests that the person's actions have left them with easy acquaintances, broken friendships, promises, and hearts. The song concludes by warning that even though the person has taken what was theirs, they will continue to want more, and if only they knew what was in store for them, they would change their ways.
Line by Line Meaning
A half-ass commitment, a casual act
Your actions show that you lack common decency and your approach to things is not genuine.
Shows me the decency that you lack
Your actions demonstrate a lack of common courtesy and respect for others.
You're fucking with feelings and fucking with heads
You're playing games with people's emotions and causing confusion and distress for those around you.
And live for the moment is all that you've said
You're only focused on living in the present and not thinking about the consequences of your actions in the future.
What goes around comes around
You'll eventually face the consequences of your actions, whether good or bad, as life has a way of balancing things out.
So watch yourself cause you're falling down
Be mindful of your actions, as they may have negative repercussions for you in the future.
Abusing, misusing you're out of control
You're behaving recklessly and causing harm to yourself and those around you.
Your mind, spirit and body will take their toll
Your careless behavior will have negative effects on your mental, emotional, and physical health.
A slave to your senses, I see nothing more
You're so focused on satisfying your immediate desires that you're unable to see the bigger picture or think about long-term consequences.
Cause temporary pleasure is what you strive for
You're only looking for short-term satisfaction and pleasure at the expense of others and without regard for the future.
Taken what you've wanted, stepped on what's in your way
You're willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want, even if it means hurting or stepping on others in the process.
But there will be a price that you'll have to pay
Your actions will have consequences, and you'll eventually have to face the repercussions of your behavior.
Easy acquaintances, broken friends
You make friends easily, but you're quick to discard them when it's convenient for you, leaving a trail of broken relationships in your wake.
Happy now but the loser in the end
You may get what you want in the short-term, but your careless actions will ultimately lead to your own downfall.
Broken promises, broken hearts
You make promises you can't keep, and your careless behavior leaves a trail of broken hearts and damaged relationships in your wake.
Walk away when the pain starts
You're quick to abandon others when they're going through difficult times, without showing empathy or compassion for their struggles.
You take what's yours you still want more
You're never satisfied with what you have and always want more, even if it means hurting others.
If you only knew what's in store
If you were aware of the consequences of your actions and behavior, you might think twice about your actions and change your ways.
Lyrics © KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Written by: BITTY MC LEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind