P.O.D.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Last day of the rest of my life
I wish I would've known 'cause I didn't kiss my mama goodbye
I didn't tell her that I loved her, how much I cared
Or thank my pops for all the talks and all the wisdom he shared
Unaware, I just did what I always do
Every day, the same routine before I skate off to school
But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest?
Instead of takin' a test, I took two to the chest
Call me blind, but I didn't see it comin'
Everybody was runnin', but I couldn't hear nothin' except
Gun blasts, it happened so fast
I don't really know this kid, though I sit by him in class
Maybe this kid was reachin' out for love
Or maybe for a moment, he forgot who he was
Or maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged
Whatever it was, I know it's because

[Chorus]
We are, we are (We are) the youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are) youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are) the youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are) youth of the nation

[Verse 2]
Little Suzy, she was only twelve
She was given the world with every chance to excel
Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell
She might act kind of proud, but no respect for herself
She finds love in all the wrong places
The same situations, just different faces
Changed up her pace since her daddy left her
Too bad he never told her she deserved much better
Johnny boy always played the fool
He broke all the rules so you would think he was cool
He was never really one of the guys
No matter how hard he tried, often thought of suicide
It's kind of hard when you ain't got no friends
He put his life to an end, they might remember him then
You cross the line and there's no turning back
Told the world how he felt with the sound of a gat
[Chorus]
We are, we are (We are) the youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are) youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are) the youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are) youth of the nation

[Verse 3]
Who's to blame for the lives that tragedies claim?
No matter what you say, it don't take away the pain
That I feel inside, I'm tired of all the lies
Don't nobody know why, it's the blind leadin' the blind
Guess that's the way the story goes
Will it ever make sense? Somebody's gotta know
There's gotta be more to life than this
There's gotta be more to everything I thought exists

[Outro]
We are, we are, the youth of the nation
We are, we are, youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are, we are) the youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are, we are) youth of the nation
We are, we are (We are, we are) the youth of the nation (The youth of the nation)
We are, we are (We are, we are) youth of the nation (The youth of the nation)
We are, we are (We are, we are) the youth of the nation (The youth of the nation)
We are, we are (We are, we are) youth of the nation (The youth of the nation)
(We are) Youth of the nation
(We are) Youth of the nation
(We are) Youth of the nation
(We are)

Youth of the Nation is a powerful and thought-provoking single by P.O.D., taken from their fourth album, Satellite. Released in 2001, the song delves into the pressing issues affecting American youth at the time. P.O.D., which stands for Payable on Death, skillfully captures the struggles faced by young individuals through poignant storytelling and compelling lyrics. As we explore the song's narrative and message, we gain insight into the harsh realities of school shootings, low self-esteem, depression, and the collective frustration of a generation searching for answers.

About Youth of the Nation

The lyrics of Youth of the Nation paint a vivid picture of the challenges faced by American youth during a specific period in time. The song begins with the first verse, recounting a tragic incident where an unnamed boy falls victim to a school shooting. The poignant words highlight the regret of not being able to bid farewell to his parents and ponder the motives behind his classmate's decision to unleash violence upon their school. P.O.D. doesn't shy away from confronting the grim reality of school shootings, capturing the gravity of the situation through heartfelt storytelling.

Continuing with the second verse, Youth of the Nation unveils two intertwined stories revolving around the struggles of a young girl named Susie and a boy named Johnny. Susie battles with low self-esteem and finds herself entangled in abusive relationships, masking her insecurities behind a facade of confidence. P.O.D. emphasizes the detrimental impact of society's expectations on young individuals, highlighting the absence of a father figure in Susie's life. Woven into this narrative is Johnny, who utilizes humor as a shield to conceal his suicidal thoughts. P.O.D. sheds light on the silent battles many teens face, sensitively addressing the weight of depression and the desperate search for an escape from inner darkness.

The third verse of Youth of the Nation delivers a powerful message of frustration and anguish. Sonny, the song's protagonist, expresses his anger and disappointment towards the lack of understanding and attention given to the struggles plaguing the youth of the nation. This verse serves as a call to action, urging society to pay closer attention to the underlying causes of depression, violence, and suicide among young people. P.O.D. uses their platform and lyrics to advocate for change and a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by the younger generation.

Within the chorus, Youth of the Nation allows the emotions of the song to soar, as P.O.D. delivers a bold statement reflecting the disillusionment of the nation's youth. These young individuals, who should be the shining beacon of hope and progress, find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of anger, depression, and violence. The chorus serves as a rallying cry, urging society to recognize and address the pressing issues facing the next generation, fostering an environment of empathy and support.

The inspiration behind Youth of the Nation stems from the tragic 2001 Santana High School shooting. P.O.D., profoundly impacted by this devastating incident, decided to use their platform to shed light on the struggles faced by American youth. Released as a single, Youth of the Nation achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard Top 40 chart. The song resonated with audiences worldwide, charting in 15 countries and ultimately earning Platinum certification in Australia. Moreover, P.O.D.'s poignant message garnered recognition from the Grammys, receiving a 2003 nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Through Youth of the Nation, P.O.D. demonstrates their ability to blend powerful music with meaningful storytelling. The song's lyrics invite listeners to deeply consider the challenges faced by young individuals, encouraging a dialogue surrounding mental health, societal pressures, and the broader issues plaguing youth. P.O.D., through their powerful blend of hard rock and thought-provoking lyrics, empowers their audience to reflect, empathize, and take action to ensure a brighter future for the nation's youth.

• Release Date: December 25, 2001
• Artist: P.O.D.