Metric

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Hangman, we played
Rubber soul with a razor blade
Behind the church, hiding place
It was a long joke 'til the punch line came
Can you read my mind?
Read my mind
Follow along to the end of the song

[Verse 2]
Hangman, we played
Double dutch with a hand grenade
Behind the church, hiding place
Apathetic to the Devil's face
Wear the sheriff's badge, put your toys away
They let us go saying, "Let us pray!"

[Hook]
Youth without youth
Youth without youth

[Verse 3]
Hangman, we played
Hide and seek on the fire escape
Through the smoke, we saw the flame
It was a long wait 'til the firetruck came
On the count of three, jump with me
On the count of three
One... two...
One... two... three... Go!
[Hook]
Youth without youth
Youth without youth
Go, go, go, go!

Go!
Youth without youth
Youth without youth
Go, go, go, go!

[Verse 4]
Hangman, we played
Blind man's bluff with the 9th brigade
Throw the brick through the windowpane
Double dutch 'til they stop the game
'Til the cops show up
Handcuff stunned
They let us go but we lost one!

[Verse 5]
Hangman, we played
Blind man's bluff 'til they stopped the game
Youth without youth
Born without time
Youth without youth
Can you read my mind?
[Hook]
Youth without youth
Youth without youth
My, my, my, my!

My, my, my, my!
Youth without youth
Youth without youth
My, my, my, my!

Music has always been one of the most powerful ways of expressing emotions and raising awareness of critical issues. From the earliest days of human history, music was used as a tool to communicate feelings that ordinary words couldn't express. This tradition is still alive and well, as musicians across all genres continue to use their art for causes that they believe in. One such piece of music is Youth Without Youth, a song by Metric, the Canadian indie band that has always been known for its socially conscious lyrics and fresh sound.

Youth Without Youth is a song about the impact of war on children. All over the world, millions of children live in war-torn countries, where their lives are constantly threatened, and their childhoods are stolen from them. Through this song, Metric sheds light on this crucial issue, and encourages people to think deeply about the consequences of war. By discussing the lack of desirable traits in young people, the song emphasizes the devastating impact that violence has on the youth of our world.

About Youth Without Youth

The lyrics of Youth Without Youth strike a perfect balance between thought-provoking and catchy. By opening with the lines, "Here they come, yo, here they come. Here they come, yo, here they come. Here they come, yo, here they come," the band creates a sense of urgency and chaos, which mirrors the experience of living in a war zone. Metric's use of the word "yo" in these opening lines is also interesting as it is a slang term used to get someone's attention urgently, and in this context, it is effective as the situation is dire.

The song's chorus is incredibly powerful. When Metric sings, "Youth without youth, it's a truth," they underscore the fact that the children living in war-torn countries are often forced to grow up far too quickly. They are robbed of their innocence, and can't have the same experiences that children living in peace can have. Metric argues that violence and war aren't just destroying physical structures, but are also wreaking havoc with the emotional and psychological well-being of millions of young people around the world.

One of the most poignant lyrics in Youth Without Youth is "Now the generals will roam like it's Jurassic Park. And they'll twitch and they'll turn, surprise it's a brand new world." This powerful metaphor compares the war generals to dinosaurs, who existed in a bygone era and need to adjust to a new reality. It highlights the fact that the world has changed significantly, and war is a massive obstruction to progress. The line, "And they'll twitch and they'll turn, surprise it's a brand new world," is an acknowledgment that the world is being forced to evolve, regardless of the efforts of the few who wish to perpetuate the violence.

The song is also uniquely self-aware, acknowledging the difficulties of addressing war's impact on youth in a song. "It's the kind of song that makes people slit their wrists," sings Metric's lead singer, Emily Haines, on the second verse. This line is not just a provocative metaphor; it is also a reminder of the challenges of discussing issues like war in music. But by taking this risk, Metric is participating in the long tradition of social commentary through music and creating a dialogue."Youth without youth, that's the truth," continues the chorus, emphasizing that this problem won't go away just because people don't want to talk about it.

Metric concludes the song with the lyrics, "My head is a cage," which leaves listeners with the sense that their hearts are heavy with the weight of what they have heard. The song's haunting melody and chorus will stay with anyone who hears it long after they have hit stop. It is a testament to Metric's skill as musicians and lyricists that they can take such important subjects and use their art to amplify these important messages.

In closing, Youth Without Youth is a beautifully crafted piece of music that addresses one of the most critical and complex issues of our time. Metric is an indie band that has consistently used their music to raise awareness about social and political issues that matter to them, and this song is no exception. By using their platform to raise awareness about the impact of war on children, Metric is making a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about violence in the world.

• Release Date: May 1, 2012
• Artist: Metric