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I wrote Suburban Kid in 1979, and then added some new lyrics in 2002 (as some of the older ones had been forgotten — brother Kurt insists that one of the lost lines contained something to the effect that I was "never going back to New Rochelle"). The Outkast reference is obviously one of the new additions, as is the parenthetical "so fresh and so clean," which derives from one of Outkast's amazing songs. Videography by Jonathan Ochshorn, and Susan Schwartz; video editing by J. Ochshorn, May, 2009. The video stars daughter Jennie in three simultaneous roles (as the suburban kid).
Suburban Kid
Words and music © 1979 J. Ochshorn
1. How can I tell you the things that I've been through
There is no easy place to start
There's no adventures from the city to show you the things I did
I'm a (sub sub sub sub) suburban kid
2. Daddy's leaving to catch the 8:02
I still don't know what he does at work
And Momma's having trouble with the breakfast cooking she burns herself on a lid
I'm a (sub sub sub sub) suburban kid
[Bridge 1] Did they get you a new computer — you're using it constantly
I really got to find that Outkast mp3.
Did they make you stay in your bedroom and take away your tv
I'm never gonna go back home when I'm finally free
3. Out in the country the air is fresh and clean (so fresh and so clean)
You walk for miles and never see a soul
But I've been living in a quarter-acre set in an endless grid
I'm a (sub sub sub sub) suburban kid
[Bridge 2] Did they say that they wouldn't take you down to the record store
They said they wouldn't be my chauffeur anymore
Are they getting a car for Christmas — it's the moment you've waited for
I'm getting that suv they don't need no more
4. Here in the city there's lots of things to do
Stay at home they're gonna think you're strange
But you can take that city culture and sell it to the highest bid
I'm a (sub sub sub sub) suburban kid
Production notes:
Song was arranged, produced, and recorded on Garageband software by J. Ochshorn. All instruments and vocals by J. Ochshorn. Instruments include some software instruments (e.g., drums and bass) played live on a midi keyboard by J. Ochshorn.
Recorded at home in Ithaca, NY, April 2009.
Remixed with Logic Pro X in 2018.
First posted 1 September 2014. Last updated: 24 August 2019