Just another day.
Seems like everybody's, got a problem.
No one knows how
but, we all wanna solve 'em.
And you can give a dime, give a hand, give a shit.
Or you could look away and never deal with it.
For example, this girl's pretty fly for a while gal.
And all the guys want her though she's a juvenile.
She's really kinda sad, and just don't care,
cuz the only one she wants is her best friend Claire.

What's going on, what's going on?
Ready or not? (not)
The world moves on and on and on and on and on and on and on. . .
yo what's going on?

(CHORUS)
There's nothing much to me.
I'm simple like you, ordinary.
My tired eyes can see,
that time may fly and what's left is meant to be.
And I'm lookin' out, and you're lookin' in.
It's takin' more than time to erase the stain.
And it's never been the same.

Any city.
A girl turns 17.
She goes to a party.
She and her girls are
drinkin' Bicardi ever since they walked through the door.
All the guys have been flexin', trying to score.
But she's a good girl, so she won't have none of that.
She takes another sip,
but she has no clue,
of the spike from the G to the H to the B.
She wakes up in the morning bruised, raped on the street.
What's going on, what's going on? Ready or not? (not)
The world moves on and on and on and on and on and on and on
. . . yo what's going on?

(CHORUS)

In a small town
Every kid that you know goes to school.
He's really kinda shy and he's not that cool.
He knows what it's like to look in from the outside,
inside, wants someone to confide.
Everyone's busy, no one's got the time.
He takes his dad's gun
and says this is how I'll shine.
BOOM BOOM BOOM,
and the kids fall down on the ground . . .
dumbfound.
What's going on, what's going on?
Ready or not? (not)
The world moves on and on and on and on and on and on and on. . .
yo what's going on?

(CHORUS)



Lyrics submitted by ketchup_311


What's Going On? song meanings
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30 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Ali said that with every song they write, there will be a meaning behind it (tongue in cheek or not), but he said if a song means something to you that is different to what we (the band) wrote it about, they'd rather you carry on thinkin it means what you originally thought, not what the band intended it to mean. It's kind of complicated, he says in an interview I saw on Youtube.
    To be honest, with Zebrahead, it's about what you believe the song to mean to yourself, not what the band intended it to be about.
    At first I didn't like this song, but when I really listened to it, I find it's quite a beautiful song, amazing band, Zebrahead
    Flag NickKellyon March 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I thought maybe the first story was about her friend being dead or something. So she wants her friend back and is sad but can't have her. But lesbian works?
    Flag Ashellon October 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:amazing song :)
    Flag himynameisvicon June 11, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The back and forth between the two singers is great.
    Flag andboothon November 08, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Also, did anyone else hear "you can give a fuck, give a damn, give a shit," instead of "you can give a dime, give a hand, give a shit?"

    Or am I just trying to hear profanity?
    Flag mmsaddaon June 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Does anyone have anything definitive about the point of the first verse?

    I think the latter verses are self-explanatory, but I really would like to know whether it's about the girl struggling with realizing her homosexuality, or whether guys just want her for sex, or what the meaning of the first verse is.

    Oh, and for as much as this isn't the kinda thing Zebrahead is known for, it's a hell of a good song. Probably one of the top few on the album, which is saying something.
    Flag mmsaddaon June 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song really makes me think.

    I like the little scenarios and how you really can't help but see the disturbing irony in all this.

    I think Zebrahead songs are kind of hard to throw your "spin" in interpretation because they seem pretty self-explanatory and easy to understand.

    This is no bash to them however, because they have a unique way of putting things into perspective.

    And this is no bash to any of you guys who threw in your interpretation.

    Coolgreens, that's a nice perspective. I do think that the fly white girl is gay.
    Flag chino69on December 22, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:great song! The last line in the first verse (the only one she wants is her best friend Claire) does not mean she's homosexual. It simply means she doesn't want anything to do with the guys that want her. She's "pretty fly for a white gal" and "all the guys want her" indicates she's pretty. Chances are, guys want her for booty; hence she only wants her best friend Clair to hang with, not to be used by guys for sex.
    Flag coolgreenson October 25, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yeah i think its pretty clear the first story is about a girl who wants her best friend to be her lover. so yeah she's gay.
    Flag seein_redon June 19, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yeah i think its pretty clear the first story is about a girl who wants her best friend to be her lover. so yeah she's gay.
    Flag seein_redon June 19, 2004   Link

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