The Kids Are Alright (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Kids Are Alright" is a song written by Pete Townshend
of The Who
. It appears as the seventh track on the group's first album, My Generation (1965). It was not released as a single until more than six months after it first appeared on the LP, first in the United States, and in the UK the following month. While not a huge hit at the time (reaching #41 in the UK and #85 in the US), the song, along with the album's title track
, would become anthems for the group and the Mod movement of England in the 1960s. It would later become the name of the documentary for the band
in 1979. The song features a standard I-IV-V chord progression in the key of D while the chorus uses a II-V-IV-I-II chord progression. The song was edited for the U.K. single and this version has become much more common than the original full-length U.K. album version. The edit of the song features a substantially shortened instrumental break. In addition to appearing on My Generation, the beginning of the song can be heard on Quadrophenia
, after the song "Helpless Dancer" has faded out.
The song has been covered by bands such as The Queers
, Goldfinger
, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Dropkick Murphys
, Hi-Standard
, Green Day
, Pearl Jam
and Belle & Sebastian
who closed their set with it at the Bowlie Weekender
in 1999. In 1995, the band Flatus recorded a version for their album "Talk Show Hero". In 2008 Billy Bob Thornton
s band The Boxmasters
recorded a version of the song as the closing number on the second disc of their album The Boxmasters. The song was also recorded for a covers album by Matthew Sweet
and Bangles' vocalist Susanna Hoffs
. Keith Moon
also did a cover of this song for his solo album, Two Sides of the Moon
.
In present-day live performances, The Who add a lengthy extra section to the end of "The Kids Are Alright", featuring partly improvised lyrics. After John Entwistle
's death, the extra lyrics would occasionally make reference to him, and his love of old red wine, which would later inspire their song "Old Red Wine", a tribute to Entwistle.
This song is referenced in the title of the song "The Kids Aren't Alright
" by the Offspring
, "The Kids Are All Wrong" by Lagwagon
, "All the Kids Are Right" by Local H
, and "The Kids" by The Parlor Mob
, in which the main chorus line is 'No the kids aint alright'. The title of the song was also used for a movie
and for an episode of hit US programme Supernatural
.
Pete Townshend
Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is an English rock guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and author, known principally as the guitarist and songwriter for the rock group The Who, as well as for his own solo career...
of The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
. It appears as the seventh track on the group's first album, My Generation (1965). It was not released as a single until more than six months after it first appeared on the LP, first in the United States, and in the UK the following month. While not a huge hit at the time (reaching #41 in the UK and #85 in the US), the song, along with the album's title track
My Generation
My Generation is the debut album by the English rock band The Who, released by Brunswick Records in the United Kingdom in December 1965. In the United States it was released by Decca Records as The Who Sings My Generation in April 1966, with a different cover and a slightly altered track...
, would become anthems for the group and the Mod movement of England in the 1960s. It would later become the name of the documentary for the band
The Kids Are Alright (film)
The Kids Are Alright is a 1979 rockumentary film about the English rock band The Who, including live performances, promotional films and interviews from 1964 to 1978.-Production:...
in 1979. The song features a standard I-IV-V chord progression in the key of D while the chorus uses a II-V-IV-I-II chord progression. The song was edited for the U.K. single and this version has become much more common than the original full-length U.K. album version. The edit of the song features a substantially shortened instrumental break. In addition to appearing on My Generation, the beginning of the song can be heard on Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia
Quadrophenia is the sixth studio album by English rock band The Who. Released on 19 October 1973 by Track and Polydor in the UK, and Track and MCA in the US, it is a double album, and the group's second rock opera...
, after the song "Helpless Dancer" has faded out.
The song has been covered by bands such as The Queers
The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
, Goldfinger
Goldfinger (band)
Goldfinger is a Los Angeles pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer...
, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
, Hi-Standard
Hi-Standard
Hi-Standard is a Japanese punk rock band who formed in 1991. The release Making the Road sparked sold-out Japan shows and US/European tours with punk bands such as NOFX, No Use for a Name and WIZO. Although members of Hi-Standard were Japanese born, all of the band's major releases were sung in...
, Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
and Belle & Sebastian
Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965...
who closed their set with it at the Bowlie Weekender
Bowlie Weekender
The Bowlie Weekender was a music festival curated by Belle & Sebastian at the Pontin's Holiday camp in Camber Sands, Sussex between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25 April 1999....
in 1999. In 1995, the band Flatus recorded a version for their album "Talk Show Hero". In 2008 Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, screenwriter, director and musician. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone...
s band The Boxmasters
The Boxmasters
The Boxmasters are an American country rock/rockabilly band founded in Bellflower, California in 2007. It features actor Billy Bob Thornton on drums and vocals with J.D. Andrew on Rhythm Guitar , Danny Baker aka. Unknown Hinson on guitars, Brad Davis Vocals and Lead Guitar, and vocals as well as...
recorded a version of the song as the closing number on the second disc of their album The Boxmasters. The song was also recorded for a covers album by Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet
Sidney Matthew Sweet is an American alternative rock/power pop musician. He was part of the burgeoning Athens, Georgia music scene in the early and mid-1980s before gaining commercial success during the early 1990s...
and Bangles' vocalist Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Hoffs
Susanna Lee Hoffs is an American vocalist, guitarist and actress. She is best known as a member of the all-female pop band The Bangles.-Early life:...
. Keith Moon
Keith Moon
Keith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
also did a cover of this song for his solo album, Two Sides of the Moon
Two Sides of the Moon
Two Sides of the Moon is the only solo album from the primary drummer from The Who, Keith Moon. Rather than using the album as a chance to showcase his legendary drumming skill, Moon chose to sing on all the songs, and play drums only on "Crazy Like a Fox", "The Kids Are Alright" and "Move Over Ms....
.
In present-day live performances, The Who add a lengthy extra section to the end of "The Kids Are Alright", featuring partly improvised lyrics. After John Entwistle
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
's death, the extra lyrics would occasionally make reference to him, and his love of old red wine, which would later inspire their song "Old Red Wine", a tribute to Entwistle.
This song is referenced in the title of the song "The Kids Aren't Alright
The Kids Aren't Alright
-Alternative pressing:-Second alternative pressing:-Third alternative pressing:-Music video:It features a room with a background of abandonment or family activity at different times. In the center of the room, there are scenes of various persons, including an appearance by Bif Naked, doing...
" by the Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
, "The Kids Are All Wrong" by Lagwagon
Lagwagon
Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, just outside Santa Barbara, California. They formed in 1990 and went on hiatus and reunited several times over the years...
, "All the Kids Are Right" by Local H
Local H
Local H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...
, and "The Kids" by The Parlor Mob
The Parlor Mob
The Parlor Mob is a rock band founded in New Jersey in 2004 and named after a notorious 19th Century gang. The band consists of singer Mark Melicia, guitarists David Rosen and Paul Ritchie, drummer Sam Bey and bassist Anthony Chick.-Formation & Capitol Records:The original members of The Parlor...
, in which the main chorus line is 'No the kids aint alright'. The title of the song was also used for a movie
The Kids Are All Right (film)
The Kids Are All Right is a 2010 American comedy-drama film directed by Lisa Cholodenko and written by Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg.One of Sundance 2010's breakout hits, it opened in limited release on July 9, 2010, expanding to more theaters on July 30, 2010. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray...
and for an episode of hit US programme Supernatural
Supernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
.