The Kids
| "The Kids" | |
|---|---|
| |
Single by Jamiroquai from the album The Return Of The Space Cowboy | |
| Released | 12 December 1993 |
| Recorded | 1993 |
| Played Live | 63 times |
| Genre | Funk & acid jazz |
| Length | 5:08 |
| Label | Epic Records |
| Writer | Jay Kay & Toby Smith |
| Producer | Jay Kay |
"The Kids" is the sixth track and first single off of the album The Return of the Space Cowboy. Although released before the album's release, it would not be their lead single as it was technically released during the Emergency on Planet Earth era. The single was not a worldwide release, and would be exclusively sold in Japan as a CD single.[1] The song is a abrasive and fast song, with it's lyrics about the rights and status of children around the world. The fast tempo and loud sound is used to make the song more child-like and energetic.
Lyrics
Ha!
Now we're getting nasty!
[Verse 1]
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids
The kids got funky soul and groovy motion
But if you don't give the kids a chance to use it
Well, they're always more than likely to abuse it
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids
It's takin' time for you to realize
Now hunger turns to anger in their eyes
I say the revolution will be televised - a-yes, it will
Everybody's talking 'bout the kids
The kids need space to get their heads in place
Oh, and every day, this world we have to face
Well, I just can't seem to find my proper place
Cause it's like this...
[Chorus]
Kids get down, stormy weather
Fifteen years of royal pleasure
Watch me now (watch me now)
Kids get down, underground
Everybody dance to the funky sound
Watch me now
Because the kids got funk and soul
[Verse 2]
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids
It won't be long before we get our own
And every kid can truly feel at home
I told ya you should give the dog a bone - give the dog a bone
Everybody's talkin' 'bout school
But I get my pleasure breakin' all the rules
Cause lesson one begins with 'Life is cruel'
Well, I guess I'm just an educated fool, haha
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids
Mom and Dad make efforts to excuse it
Government officials will confuse it
Members of the bench will try to prove it
But you goin' down, sucka!
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids now
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids now
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the, everybody's talkin' 'bout the
Everybody's talkin' 'bout the kids now
Everybody's talking
Hear them people talking about the kids
The kids got funky soul, come on now
The kids got funky soul
You know the kids got funky soul, yeah
I said, the kids got funky soul
Ooh-oh, the kids got funky soul
[Chorus]
Kids get down, stormy weather
Fifteen years of royal pleasure
Watch me now, watch me
Kids get down, celebrate
Now we're gonna kick the thing we hate
Watch me now
Cause the kids got funk and soul
[Instrumental break]
Ah, ha, ha, ha... ha!
You know the kids got funky soul, yeah!
Ah, ha, ha, ha... ha, ha
I said the kids got funky soul, yeah
Everybody's talking about the kids now
Everybody's talking about the kids now
Everybody's talking about the, (5x)
Everybody's talking about the kids now
Hey!
Keep on talkin', yeah
And keep on movin', yeah
Gotta keep on groovin', yeah
Gotta keep on talkin', yeah
Keep on
Keep on movin', yeah
[Verse 3]
Everybody's talking 'bout high
But kids get high to satisfy
For reaching out to touch the sky
Is all I can identify
And you know why
[Chorus]
Kids get down, stormy weather
Fifteen years of royal pleasure (watch me now)
Kids get down, celebrate
Now we're gonna kick the thing we hate (watch me now)
Watch me!
Kids get down, pressurized
To live the life that you devised (watch me now)
Kids get down, celebrate
Life's too short to complicate (watch me now)
Cause the kids got funky soul
Reception
The track was fairly reviewed positively by critics and fans alike, with many praising it for its funky bass, "wah-wah" guitars, and fast-paced drumming. Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits named it the "best stuff" of the album, alongside "Space Cowboy"[2]
Track list
Japanese CD single[3]
- "The Kids" – 4:13
- "When You Gonna Learn" (Live at Leadmill, Sheffield) – 9:51
- "When You Gonna Learn" (Digeridoo Instrumental) – 6:31
Trivia
- "The Kids" is the only Return Of The Space Cowboy track with Derrick McKenzie on the drums.
- "The Kids" is the fastest track on Return Of The Space Cowboy.