Latch Key Kids

Song details

Bad Religion original
Yes
First released
1982
First release
How Could Hell Be Any Worse? (album)
Songwriter
Greg Graffin

Lyrics

Latch Key Kids

In this world today there ain't nobody to thank, Just blame it on the kids and toss 'em into the tank. And if they yell for justice we'll hide them from the light So that when they learn the truth they won't be scared of the night. (1, 2, 3, 4) Put the key in the hole when you get home from school. I'll be home by 8:30, your father will too. If you cause any trouble then I don't want to see, 'Cause you'll go straight to bed and you won't have no TV.

Versions & recordings

Grouped by recording

5

Song statistics

Archive coverage at a glance

89release versions
#42

42nd most featured song

47documented shows
#118

118th most played song

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Song Interpretations

What do you think this song is about? Share your interpretation and explain your reasoning.

2

legacy memberSep 5, 2005 · edited Date unknown

" my interperation is simple as well, it draws attention to the fact that parental supervision is not what it used to be, and that the blame is layless, we cannot set blame on inaction can we, greg says it in "billy" " so where is the justice when noone is at fault and a human life is tragically wasted how fragile is the flame that burns within us all to light each passing day" and maybe some in " my poor f…

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" my interperation is simple as well, it draws attention to the fact that parental supervision is not what it used to be, and that the blame is layless, we cannot set blame on inaction can we, greg says it in "billy" " so where is the justice when noone is at fault and a human life is tragically wasted how fragile is the flame that burns within us all to light each passing day" and maybe some in " my poor friend me" but no time for that. and the fact that we think were teaching them by sheltering them and by using punishment or pain to show then the wrong in their actions, i think that greg may have not had the best parents cause he uses alot of sentences like " my daddys a lazy middle classed intellectual my mommys on valume so innefectual aint life a mystery" from "21st century digital boy" and by that i also mean to say that the song adresses the lack of understanding and miscommunication between parents and children especially when you have to work alot and your own life takes a toll
EmptynessJul 11, 2004 · edited Date unknown

My take on this song, which is pretty self explanatory, is that the song is about these kids who come home everyday to empty houses, no parents till later, and no one to talk to. It also remarks on how everything is blamed on the children, those evil, nasty, orgy-having-drug-snorting-gang-banging-thug children. Damn them all! Besides the interpretation, it seems that the idea is rehashed in Bored And Extremely Dan…

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My take on this song, which is pretty self explanatory, is that the song is about these kids who come home everyday to empty houses, no parents till later, and no one to talk to. It also remarks on how everything is blamed on the children, those evil, nasty, orgy-having-drug-snorting-gang-banging-thug children. Damn them all! Besides the interpretation, it seems that the idea is rehashed in Bored And Extremely Dangerous, same idea, different result.