Lyrics
Hey old man, remember 1964?
Reflecting on the year 1964, addressing an older person.
With your hair long and curly tryin' to end the damn war?
Recalling the person's past activism during the Vietnam War.
When peace signs and marches, it shook you to the core?
Highlighting the impact of peace signs and marches on the person.
But here we are again and I don't see you no more
Noticing the absence of the person's activism in current times.
For the times, they are not changing
Expressing that the current era is not undergoing positive change.
It's the same as it was once before
Stating that the situation remains unchanged from the past.
You got yourself a little, turned your back on the middle
Observing a shift in the person's attitude, indifference to societal issues.
And now you just don't care anymore
Noting a lack of concern or involvement from the person.
Then the 70's came and you got a real job
Describing the person's transition to a conventional job in the 70s.
You bought a house in the suburbs on a half-acre lot
Detailing the person's move to suburban life and lifestyle changes.
They started busin' in children, and you quit smokin' pot
Reference to societal changes, including education and drug use.
The prices went higher, and the whole world is shot
Commenting on the deteriorating state of the world.
And the times, they are not changing
Reiterating that the current times lack positive transformation.
It's the same as it was once before
Emphasizing the persistent nature of the societal situation.
You got yourself a little, turned your back on the middle
Noting the person's detachment from societal concerns.
And now you just don't care anymore
Highlighting the person's growing apathy.
Then the 80's swept in with a new set of rules
Describing the societal changes brought by the 80s.
And you sent your kids off to private all-lily-white schools
Addressing the person's choices regarding education for their children.
Kept your hand-me-down money, and your millionaire's jewels
Commenting on wealth preservation and social inequality.
Give 'em food stamps and welfare, don't complain you poor fools
Criticizing societal support systems and attitudes towards the poor.
And the times, they are not changing
Reiterating the lack of positive change over time.
It's the same as it was once before
Highlighting the continuity of societal issues.
You got yourself a little, turned your back on the middle
Observing the person's continued detachment from societal concerns.
And now you just don't care anymore
Emphasizing the person's increasing indifference.
From the 90's 'til now, not a whole lot has changed
Acknowledging a lack of substantial change from the 90s to the present.
The rich folks keep the winnin's and make the rules to the game
Criticizing the influence of the rich and their control over societal rules.
And expect us somehow to just feel lucky to play
Expressing dissatisfaction with the expectation of acceptance in an unfair system.
But we see it all get harder and harder each day
Observing the increasing challenges faced by society daily.
And the times, they are not changing
Reiterating the lack of positive societal transformation.
It's the same as it was once before
Emphasizing the persistent nature of societal issues.
You got yourself a little, turned your back on the middle
Noting the person's continued detachment from societal concerns.
And now you just don't care anymore
Underlining the person's growing apathy.
Now if this song hurts your feelings, that don't mean it ain't true
Addressing potential discomfort caused by the song, asserting its truth.
Just probably means we're singin' 'bout you
Suggesting that the song may be referring to the listener.
The times, the are not changing
Reiterating the lack of positive societal transformation.
Its the same as it was once before
Emphasizing the persistent nature of societal issues.
You got yourself a little, turned your back on the middle
Observing the person's continued detachment from societal concerns.
And now you just don't care anymore
Underlining the person's growing apathy.
As soon as you got a little, you turned your back on the middle
Pointing out the person's abandonment of societal concerns.
And you just don't care anymore
Highlighting the person's increased indifference.
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