This Afternoon by Nickelback Lyrics Meaning – An Ode to Complacent Rebelliousness
Lyrics
Hittin’ from the bong like a diesel train
And I’m down with hanging out this afternoon
We got weeds in the backyard four feet tall
Cheech and Chong probably would of smoked ’em all
So I’m out on the couch this afternoon
Beer bottles layin’ on the kitchen floor
If we take ’em all back we can buy some more
So I doubt we’ll go without this afternoon
You better hang on if your taggin’ along
‘Cause we’ll be doin’ this ’till six in the mornin’
Nothin’ wrong with goin’ all night long
Just not tough to put the brakes on,
Doesn’t matter when you’d rather
Get up, and go out
Me and all my friends
We drink up, we fall down
And then we do it all again
Just sitting around, hangin’ out this afternoon
Landlord says I should buy a tent
But he can kiss my ass ’cause I paid the rent
So I doubt he’ll kick me out this afternoon
Down on the corner in a seedy bar
Jukebox crankin’ out the CCR
Had a few, to Suzy Q this afternoon
You better hang on if your taggin’ along
‘Cause we’ll be doin’ this ’till six in the mornin’
Nothin’ wrong with goin’ all night long
Just not tough to put the brakes on,
Doesn’t matter when you’d rather
Get up, and go out
Me and all my friends
We drink up, we fall down
And then we do it all again
Yeah we get up, and go out
Me and all my friends
We drink up, we fall down
And then we do it all again
Yeah, just sitting around hanging out this afternoon
Don’t wanna wristwatch or an alarm clock
To see what time it is
From the moment I wake up
I just love being with my friends
We barely get by but have the best times
And hope it never ends
We drink all day until we fall down
So we can do it all again
It’s not the human walk
It’s the human race
If you ain’t livin’ on edge
You’re takin’ too much space
So I doubt I’ll figure out
Just what to do
‘Bout to kick it around
Hanging out this afternoon
You better hang on if your taggin’ along
‘Cause we’ll be doin’ this ’till six in the mornin’
Nothin’ wrong with goin’ all night long
Just not tough to put the brakes on,
Doesn’t matter when you’d rather
Get up, and go out
Me and all my friends
We drink up, we fall down
And then we do it all again
Yeah we get up, and go out
Me and all my friends
We drink up, we fall down
And then we do it all again
Just sitting around
Get up, and go out
Me and all my friends
We drink up, we fall down
And then we do it all again
Just kicking around, hanging out this afternoon
Sitting around, hanging out this afternoon
Just kicking around, hanging out this afternoon
Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon
Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon
Just sitting around, hanging out this afternoon
Upon first listen, Nickelback’s ‘This Afternoon’ might strike listeners as little more than a hedonistic anthem to lazy days and raucous nights. With its guitar-laden backbeat and carefree rhythm, the song serves as an auditory snapshot of youth’s laissez-faire spirit. But to stop there would be to overlook the intricate narrative fabric woven by lead singer Chad Kroeger and company, illustrating the nuanced landscape of existential defiance in the mundane.
This track, cloaked in the guise of just another party song, is a statement on social nonconformity and the quiet rebellion against the nine-to-five grind. It’s an embrace of the here-and-now, coupled with a thumbing-of-the-nose to societal expectations, creating a complex interplay between themes of friendship, freedom, and the fight against adulting that permeates so much of popular culture.
The Sweet Rebellion of the Unconventional Life
Nickelback boldly paints a portrait of a life unperturbed by the constraints of conventional society. Verses filled with beer bottles on the floor and weeds standing tall in the backyard signal a deliberate choice to sidestep the manicured lawns of suburbia. ‘We just love being with my friends,’ Kroeger declares, making it clear that the value of companionship supersedes that of material success or societal approval.
This philosophy comes full circle with the assertion that timekeeping devices are unnecessary accessories. It’s a mindset that prioritizes experiences and interpersonal connections over the ceaseless ticking of the clock, which often drives humans to obsession over productivity and progress.
Decoding the Bob Marley Day: A Symbol of Cultural Identity
‘Lookin’ like another Bob Marley day,’ the song begins, grounding its intentions not just in the realm of leisure, but also in a specific cultural homage. Marley, famed for his relaxed demeanor and association with cannabis culture, symbolizes resistance against oppression, and the pursuit of happiness against all odds. Nickelback channels this sentiment, encapsulating a spirit of resistance wrapped in the camouflage of carefree indolence.
Through this reference, ‘This Afternoon’ becomes an attributive continuation of Marley’s legacy, celebrating the release from societal fetters and the embrace of personal freedom at the heart of his music. The ‘Bob Marley day’ serves as a periodical break from reality that the lyrical subjects see as crucial for their mental emancipation.
The Bittersweet Symphony of ‘We Barely Get By’
Behind the revelry and camaraderie lies a sobering truth: ‘We barely get by but have the best times.’ This admission is telling, revealing the sacrifice that comes with breaking away from societal norms. The protagonists may not have wealth or the security it provides, but they have richness in friendship and experience that they wouldn’t trade for financial prosperity.
The juxtaposition of struggle and contentment presents a nuanced narrative uncommon in typical anthems of festivity. It poses the question of what true success and happiness mean, challenging the listener to consider if it’s the monetary gains or the quality of one’s relationships and experiences that truly matter.
A Caution Against the Hamster Wheel of the ‘Human Race’
The philosophical core of ‘This Afternoon’ is encapsulated in the lyric, ‘It’s not the human walk, it’s the human race.’ Here, Nickelback captures the essence of contemporary existential angst – the tension between living deliberately and being swept up in life’s rat race. The song suggests that to participate mindlessly in the pursuit of socially-defined success is to surrender vital living space, both physically and metaphysically.
The songwriters highlight the irony of the human condition, where the constant striving for more can often lead to less – less happiness, less fulfillment, and ultimately, less life. It’s a push to recognize the value of stepping back, slowing down, and reassessing what is genuinely worth pursuing.
Memorable Lines That Echo Beyond the Afternoon
Certain lyrics within ‘This Afternoon’ reverberate with the clarity of a bell, striking listeners with their potent blend of humor and truth. ‘Landlord says I should buy a tent, But he can kiss my ass ’cause I paid the rent,’ is one such line, which, aside from its surface level humor, speaks to the art of carving out personal sovereignty within the constraints of modern living.
Similarly, ‘Nothin’ wrong with goin’ all night long,’ is more than an embrace of endless partying. It’s an avowal of life’s temporal nature and the importance of seizing the moment before daylight brings responsibilities rushing back. These lines serve as reminders of the song’s deeper meanings, cementing ‘This Afternoon’ as a spirited call to live on one’s own terms.
