The Kids Are Alright

I wouldn't jump to the grand statement that the Who' basic lyric story is about struggling through childhood and teenhood, and ultimately being forced to come to some kind of terms with an adulthood that for so long you regarded with hatred and contempt.

But if I were to make such a claim, then this song is about as perfect a summation of that struggle as you can cram into 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

Don't wanna go, but I've really got to go, I hate to leave her behind, but hey, I can trust my friends, and I really gotta go now. And despite anything I've said, or any jokes Pete and Roger may make, this song comes across completely for real. This is real. This is life.

Thank god we have, or had, groups who put real stuff like this into their songs.

basically something you never want to hear your husband saying

This song is about a guy who doesn't want to stay home with his wife and kids. He realizes that when he's gone, his wife sees other guys. But he doesn't care because at least his kids are getting looked after. Dude just wants to party, his wife is sitting on another guys lap but hey its all cool, the kids are alright.

I think it's about a person who wants to leave their present life and pursue their dreams.

The person in this song can no longer do what he wants because he is now married ("Bells chime") and has children. So now he's hoping to realize his dreams by leaving his wife.

I always believed that this song critized parents that choose their own lives instead of their childrens. A father that leave his kids behind. That the phrase "the kids are alright" is sarcastic. I guess I was wrong ;(

I can't believe no one has commented on this song. Increidible. Great song. this should be your introduction to the who.

I think this is an awesome song.

I heard it was talking about growing up and moving away from the whole "Mod" culture for the sake of growing up and being with a girl. The lyrics "bells chime" and "I had things planned" kind of imply that he might want to get married but it didn't work out and now he thinks its best if he just left her with them, which I don't get why he would do that.

i think it sounds like getting married and having kids, and the feeling of being tied down by it. the queers cover of this is good too.

They once introduced this song at a concert like this:

Roger: "This song is about a girl I APPARENTLY promised to marry when I was six" Pete: "What do you mean 'apparently'?"

Since it was written by Townshend, I think it was probably a joke that Roger would have to sing about an event he would rather forget.