Adam's Song

"Adam's Song" is a song by American pop punk band blink-182, from their third album Enema of the State, which was the album largely credited for the band's success. It was released as the third CD single from the album behind "What's My Age Again?" and "All the Small Things" on September 5, 2000. "Adam's Song" was one of five blink-182 songs that peaked at #2 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. Vocals on the song are performed by Mark Hoppus. "Adam's Song" is commonly referred to as the song when blink-182 got "serious", being their first well-known slow-paced baker. The song is placed in between the catchy and fast-paced songs "Dysentery Gary" and "All the Small Things". The song's lyrics deal with depression and suicide, a noticeable departure from the toilet humor present in most of the other songs on Enema of the State. The arrangement of the song departs from their previous work as well, particularly the shifting instrumental parts. In the verses, the guitar plays (muted) chords accompanied by a relatively ordinary bass line; in the chorus the guitar plays octave lines while the bass shifts to playing chords. It is comparable to their later song "Stay Together For The Kids" (dealing with 'broken home' and family issues), from blink-182's fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. The song makes a reference to "Come as You Are" by Nirvana with the lyrics, "I took my time, I hurried up, The choice was mine, I didn't think enough." While Nirvana's lyrics are "Take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours, don't be late." It was once thought that the website Adam's Letter featured the inspiration behind the song, though this was later revealed as a fictitious story, and any "resemblance between the characters, places, and events to any real people is purely coincidental." The song caused a stir in 2000 when it was set to replay indefinitely on a nearby stereo as 17-year-old Greg Barnes, a survivor of the Columbine High School massacre, hanged himself in the garage of his family's home.

[Verse 1] I never thought I'd die alone I laughed the loudest, who'd have known? I trace the cord back to the wall No wonder it was never plugged in at all I took my time, I hurried up The choice was mine, I didn't think enough I'm too depressed to go on You'll be sorry when I'm gone [Chorus] I never conquered, rarely came Sixteen just held such better days Days when I still felt alive We couldn't wait to get outside The world was wide, too late to try The tour was over, we'd survived I couldn't wait 'til I got home To pass the time in my room alone [Verse 2] I never thought I'd die alone Another six months I'll be unknown Give all my things to all my friends You'll never step foot in my room again You'll close it off, board it up Remember the time that I spilled the cup Of apple juice in the hall Please tell mom this is not her fault [Chorus] I never conquered, rarely came Sixteen just held such better days Days when I still felt alive We couldn't wait to get outside The world was wide, too late to try The tour was over, we'd survived I couldn't wait 'til I got home To pass the time in my room alone [Instrumental Bridge] [Chorus] I never conquered, rarely came Tomorrow holds such better days Days when I can still feel alive When I can't wait to get outside The world is wide, the time goes by The tour is over, I've survived I can't wait 'til I get home To pass the time in my room alone