When I grew up, well it felt great

I watched how others took their fate

Some felt afraid and undefended, so they got mean

And they pretended what they knew made them belong more than you.

I'm sure you know there's lots to learn

But that's not your fault, that's just your turn, yeah, yeah



Teenagers, kick our butts, tell us what the future will bring

Teenagers look at us, we have not solved everything



We drink and smoke to numb our pain

We read junk novels on the plane

We use authority for show so we can be a little smarter

We still can grow, and many do

It's when we stop we can't reach you

We feel the loss, you feel the blame

We're scared to lose, don't be the same, hey hey



Teenagers, kick our butts, tell us what the future will bring

Teenagers, look at us, we have not solved everything



The hometown brought its hero in

To speak at the high school gym

He took a breath, he took a chance

He strode up in his leather pants

And said, "Gee, thanks... but

I'm here today because I fought for what I felt and what I thought

They put me down they, were just wrong

And now it's they who don't belong, oh, oh



Teenagers, kick our butts, tell us what the future will bring

Teenagers look at us, we have not solved everything



And when the media tries to act your age

Don't be seduced, they're full of rage

Find your voice, do what it takes

Make sure you make lots of mistakes

And find the future that redeems

Give us hell, give us dreams

And grow and grow and grow



And someday when some teenagers come to kick your butts

Well then like I do try to

Love

Kick our butts

Love

Kick our butts

Oh I love

Kick our butts