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