Only The Young by Journey Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of Youthful Defiance and Hope
Lyrics
You can hear the thunder of their cry
Ahead of their time
They wonder why
Shadows of a golden age
A generation waits for dawn
Brave carry on
Bold and the strong
Only the young can say
They’re free to fly away
Sharing the same desire
Burnin’ like wildfire
They’re seein’ through the promises
And all the lies they dare to tell
Is it heaven or hell?
They know very well
Only the young can say
They’re free to fly away
Sharing the same desire
Burnin’ like wildfire
Only the young can say
They’re free to fly away
Sharing the same desire
Burnin’ like wildfire
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
Only the young can say
Young can say
Only the young can say
Journey’s ‘Only The Young’ captures the zeitgeist of youthful spirit, intertwining a message of hope, freedom, and the perennial struggle between generations. In an era where the voices of the young often feel drowned out by the cacophony of an entrenched status quo, this song stands as a testament to the unquenchable fire that burns within the hearts of the young.
Digging deeper into the lyrics reveals layers of meaning that resonate with the lived experiences of the youth across decades. It’s a song that transcends time, remaining as current and poignant today as it was when it first echoed through the airwaves. ‘Only The Young’ isn’t just a song; it’s an anthem that continues to galvanize the spirit of successive generations.
Echoes of a Generation’s Cry – The Call of the Youth
The opening lines of ‘Only The Young’ paint a vivid picture of a universal scene: a night in an indistinct town where the collective cry of the young reverberates with the potential of thunder. This thunder is more than just a sound; it’s emblematic of the burgeoning power and restlessness of a rising generation. Ahead of their time, they grapple with feeling misunderstood, yearning for a world that welcomes their ideals and innovations.
The song’s acknowledgment of this generational cry speaks volumes about the isolating sense of being ahead of one’s era, capturing the essence of what it means to be young and filled with visions of what could be – visions not yet shared or comprehended by the surrounding society.
Unearthing the Hidden Meaning: A Battle Cry Against Complacency
Amid the seemingly traditional rock façade, ‘Only The Young’ harbors a hidden depth – a clarion call resisting complacency and challenging the status quo. This battle cry isn’t one born of violence, but of the potency inherent in the young’s shared desire; it’s a fight for the freedom to believe, hope, and forge a new path.
With a deft blend of powerful lyrics and electrifying guitar riffs, Journey propels listeners into the very heart of youthful defiance. The message conveyed is not a passive one; it is an active inspiration for the young to take the reins of their own fate, to share in the collective ambition – and to ignite change like wildfire.
The Promise and the Lie: Discerning the Illusions
The lyrics suggest a generation that has come to recognize the duplicity within promises and the deceit woven into lies they have been fed. This realization prompts the essential question: Are they living in a heaven of their own making, or a hell fabricated by the misguidance of previous generations?
Such acuity in distinguishing truth from fabrication hints at an innate wisdom among the young – an understanding that the narratives handed down to them are to be approached with skepticism and their truths verified through the lens of their own experiences and judgements.
Fire in Their Hearts: The Symbolism of Wildfire
Throughout ‘Only The Young,’ the recurring image of ‘burnin’ like wildfire’ holds profound symbolism. It evokes the uncontrollable, all-consuming nature of fire, likening the shared desire of youth to a force that, once kindled, cannot be easily extinguished. This wildfire represents their passions, dreams, and quest for freedom.
This potent imagery testifies to the vitality and fierce determination of the youth to enact changes that leave a lasting imprint. As wildfire rejuvenates even as it consumes, so the young carry the promise of a new dawn, a rebirth of ideas capable of reshaping their world.
Memorable Lines That Capture the Essence of Youthful Rebellion
The lyrics of ‘Only The Young’ are filled with memorable lines that resonate deeply with the spirit of youthful rebellion. Phrases like ‘They wonder why’ and ‘They’re free to fly away’ reinforce the notion of a misunderstood generation yearning for escape and liberation.
The anthem concludes with a simple, yet powerful repetition of the title phrase, ‘Only the young can say,’ transforming the song into a chant that echoes the sentiment of countless young hearts. Each repetition is a declaration, an affirmation of the unique place the young hold in the chronicle of human endeavor – able to envision, to challenge, to transform.
