The Kids Aren't Alright
The Offspring · Greatest Hits [2005]
When we were young our future was so bright (whoa, oh!)
The old neighborhood was so alive (whoa, oh!)
And every kid on the whole damn street (whoa, oh!)
Was gonna make it big and not be beat
Now our neighborhood's cracked and torn (whoa, oh!)
The kids are grown up but their lives are worn (whoa, oh!)
How can one little street
Swallow so many lives
Chances Thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
(Whoa!)
Jamie had a chance, well she really did (whoa, oh!)
Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids (whoa, oh!)
Mark still lives at home cause he's got no job (whoa, oh!)
He just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot
Jay committed suicide (whoa, oh!)
Brandon OD'd and died (whoa, oh!)
What the hell is going on
The cruelest dream, reality
Chances Thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
Chances Thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
The old neighborhood was so alive (whoa, oh!)
And every kid on the whole damn street (whoa, oh!)
Was gonna make it big and not be beat
Now our neighborhood's cracked and torn (whoa, oh!)
The kids are grown up but their lives are worn (whoa, oh!)
How can one little street
Swallow so many lives
Chances Thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
(Whoa!)
Jamie had a chance, well she really did (whoa, oh!)
Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids (whoa, oh!)
Mark still lives at home cause he's got no job (whoa, oh!)
He just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot
Jay committed suicide (whoa, oh!)
Brandon OD'd and died (whoa, oh!)
What the hell is going on
The cruelest dream, reality
Chances Thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
Chances Thrown
Nothing's free
Longing for what used to be
Still it's hard
Hard to see
Fragile lives, shattered dreams
The Kids Aren't Alright
The Offspring's 2005 greatest hits compilation features the high-energy punk rock anthem 'The Kids Aren't Alright.' This track exemplifies the band's signature blend of aggressive riffs and driving rhythms, capturing the restless spirit of their mid-2000s era. While often associated with the broader nu-metal movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the song maintains its core punk ethos, delivering a message of generational frustration that resonated deeply with fans. The recording showcases the band's tight instrumentation and energetic performance style, serving as a standout moment on their curated collection of essential tracks.