21 Rock Lyrics You Can Use To Teach Your Kids To Be Better

Inspire Your Kids With Rock


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Rock music. Is there any part of our lives it doesn't make better?

A: of course not. 

Even parenting. We all want the best for our little people, and sometimes it can be hard to guide them through the ways of the world, to steer them a course through the emotional and physical challenges of their lives, and to grow into the best version of themselves. 

Which is why you shouldn't worry about trying to put things in your own words. Because rock legends have already done that for you. Here are twenty-one rock lyrics that will make your kids be better.

1. Foo Fighters - Best Of You

"Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?"

if your kids only have one guiding principle in their lives, it'd be hard to top this. The importance of finding someone special, and making yourself better, all rolled into one punchy chorus. Immense.

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2. Chumbawumba - Tubthumping

"I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down."

Admittedly, you might need to skim over the lines about drinking whisky drinks, lager drinks, cider drinks and vodka drinks, for younger audiences. But having done that, you're left with a perfectly phrased embodiment of the importance of persistance. 

3. Oasis - Roll With It

"You gotta roll with it, You gotta take your time, You gotta say what you say, Don't let anybody get in your way."

Being flexible, patient, brave, persistent, and also rocking the hell out of a banging bass line. Just what any parent wants in their child. 

4. Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven

"When all is one and one is all, to be a rock and not to roll."

Possibly the ultimate rock and roll quote. Themes of togetherness, intimacy, and then using rock n roll as a metaphor to inspire you to have the courage of your convictions. Good on yer Led Zep. 

5. Queen - Innuendo

"You can be anything you want to be, just turn yourself into anything you think you could ever be."

The more obvious "Don't Stop Me Now" is another Freddie classic that every kid would do well to follow, but this line from Innuendo just nails what it takes to fulfill your dreams.

6. AC/DC - It's A Long Way To The Top

"It's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n roll."

It sure is. But don't be put off, young rock padawans. 

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7. Bruce Springsteen - The Promised Land

"Blow away the dreams that tear you apart. Blow away the dreams that break your heart. Blow away the lies that leave you nothing. But lost and brokenhearted."

Yes, Bruce. Take that, childhood insecurities. 

8. Green Day - Minority

"I want to be the minority. I don't need your authority. Down with the moral majority. 'Cause I want to be the minority."

At an age when fitting in seems so important, and you're constantly told to follow the crowd, in come Green Day with the rousing chorus to show you that being in a minority and feeling different isn't only okay...it's desirable. 

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9. New Radicals - Get What You Give

"But when the night is falling, you cannot find the light. You feel your dreams are dying, hold tight."

Swiftly followed with "Don't Let Go!" and "Don't Give Up!" in a pumped up chorus, these lyrics are everything. 

10. Pearl Jam - Tremor Christ

"Little secrets, tremors turned to quake. The smallest oceans still get big, big waves."

Even little things making a big impact is always going to resonate with kids. Nice work, Eddie Vedder. 

11. Better - The Screaming Jets

"They said you'd never get anywhere. Well they don't care and it's just not fair. That you know, and I know better."

If there's one thing kids feel, it's the idea that something isn't fair. And, for that matter, that they know better. Help them get somewhere with the belter from The Jets.

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12. Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop

"Don't stop thinking about tomorrow. Don't stop, it'll soon be here. It'll be better than before. Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone."

The Mac offer some advice to keep looking ahead and focus on the future than the past. 

13. David Bowie - Changes

"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations, they're quite aware of what they're going through."

Everything about 'Changes' is fricking incredible. But this line takes you back to how it feels to be young and have the desire to change the world. 

14. David Bowie - Heroes

"We can be heroes, just for one day."

Double-header from Bowie - unsurprisingly the only double entrant in this list. Another sensational song, showing kids they can achieve their dreams and be heroes to all of us. Even if only for one day.

15. INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

"I told you that we could fly. 'Cause we all have wings but some of us don't know why."

A verse that speaks to our potential and what could have been, turning INXS' love song into a workable piece of guidance for our sons and daughters. 

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16. Van Halen - Right Now

"Right now, hey. It's your tomorrow. Right now, C'mon, it's everything. Right now, catch a magic moment, do it. Right here and now, it means everything."

Do it now, kids. Don't waste a moment. 

17. Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down

"No I'll stand my ground. Won't be turned around. And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down. Gonna stand my ground."

18. Midnight Oil - Beds Are Burning

"How can we dance when our earth is turning? How do we sleep while our beds are burning?"

Without scaring the little ones that their beds are about to catch fire, this shows them that the only way we can make a difference is doing it themselves. Get up and improve the earth around you.

19. Journey - Don't Stop Believin' 

"Don't stop believin', Hold on to that feelin.'"

Says it all. 

20. No Doubt - I'm Just A Girl

"Cause I'm just a girl, a little ol me"

This whole song is about as sarcastic as rock music gets. And it's perfect to show girls just what they can be, i.e. anything, and not let men hold them back.

21. Aerosmith - Dream On

"Dream on, Dream on, Dream until your dreams come true."

Last but not least, old mate Tyler knows a bit about being a great dad and these lyrics could have come right out of a parenting book. See also: "You got to lose to know how to win."

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Matt Bellotti

20 September 2017

Article by:

Matt Bellotti




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