I Am What I Hated When I Was Young

Ian Hunter · Other Songs - Ian Hunter

Well I don't follow any trend

I don't sulk for hours on end

I don't wanna reach out 'n' punch someone

I am what I hated when I was young

I don't wear designer clothes

I ain't got pins in my nose

I ain't got a tattoo on my bum

I am what I hated when I was young



Poverty was a wonderful thing everyone enjoyed

We were eatin' grass not smokin' it

Wasn't like this when I was a boy

Wasn't like this when I was a boy



I don't rob old people's homes

I don't steal no cellular phones

I kinda like my Dad and Mom

I am what I hated when I was young

I don't holler, I don't hoot

I don't act like a nincompoop

I don't hide when the police come

I am what I hated when I was young



I'm slowin' down, I'm getting old

N' my back is getting bad

I just sit 'n' moan all day

Wasn't like this when I was a lad

Wasn't like this when I was a lad



Comb my hair, brush my teeth

Wash my feet more than once a week

N' I never leave my flies undone

I am what I hated when I was young

I'm the original mixed up kid

I ain't proud of what I did

Now I'm older, calmed down some

I hate what I used to be when I was young

I hate what I used to be when I was young

I hate what I used to be when I was young

I Am What I Hated When I Was Young

Ian Hunter delivers a raw, confessional performance on this track, channeling the turbulent emotions of youth and self-doubt with his signature gritty vocal style. The song stands as a testament to his ability to blend punk energy with soulful depth, reflecting on the contradictions of growing up and the identities one rejects in favor of authenticity. Recorded in the mid-2000s, the piece captures a specific moment in Hunter's discography where his musical persona evolved from pure rock aggression to a more introspective, blues-tinged approach. It remains a defining example of his work that explores personal growth through the lens of regret and acceptance, showcasing his talent for translating complex internal struggles into accessible, resonant music.