MGMT – Kids: Meaning, Lyric, Quotes
MGMT – Kids : Growing Up is a Wild, Bittersweet Ride, Huh?
Remember That Awesome Tune “Kids” by MGMT? Let’s Dive Into What It’s Really Saying!
Hey! So, you know that song “Kids” by MGMT? The one with that ridiculously catchy synth hook that instantly makes you wanna dance or just transports you back somewhere? Yeah, that one. It’s got such an upbeat, almost frantic energy, right? But have you ever stopped to really listen to the words? Turns out, beneath that shiny, electro-pop surface, there’s a whole lot going on. It’s like unwrapping a brightly colored candy bar only to find some surprisingly deep, maybe even a little bittersweet, nougat inside.
It feels like the song is basically holding up a mirror to that whole crazy journey from being a wide-eyed kiddo to navigating the often-confusing world of adulthood. It’s nostalgic, sure, but it doesn’t just sugarcoat the past. It’s more complex than that, kinda like growing up itself.
The Innocent (and Maybe a Bit Chaotic) Days of Childhood
The song kicks off painting this super vivid picture of early childhood. Remember those first lines?
Crawling Towards… What Exactly?
Right away, we get this image: “You were a child crawlin’ on your knees toward it / Makin’ Mama so proud, but your voice is too loud”. Classic kid stuff, right? That uncontainable energy, the sheer volume, doing things that make your parents beam even if you’re being a bit disruptive. It perfectly captures that phase where you’re just pure impulse, exploring everything without a filter. You’re driven by curiosity, reaching out for… well, ‘it’. ‘It’ could be anything – a toy, understanding, the future. It’s that natural, unstoppable forward momentum kids have.
And then there’s the line: “We like to watch you laughin’ / You pick the insects off plants, no time to think of consequences”. Isn’t that just the essence of being little? That fascination with the tiny details of the world, like bugs on leaves. And the key part? No time to think of consequences. You just do. There’s no calculation, no worrying about messing up or what comes next. It’s pure, unadulterated living in the moment. It feels so freeing, doesn’t it? A world without the weight of ‘what ifs’.
The Wake-Up Call: Enter Adulthood and Responsibility
But then, the song takes a turn. That catchy, repetitive chorus hits, and it feels like a different voice chiming in, maybe the voice of society, or just the reality of growing older.
“Control Yourself, Take Only What You Need”
This line, “Control yourself, take only what you need from it”, repeated over and over, feels like the central tension of the song. It’s the direct opposite of that carefree kid picking bugs off plants. Suddenly, there are rules. Limits. The need for restraint. It’s the mantra of adulthood, isn’t it? Don’t be too loud, don’t take too much, manage your impulses. It’s about survival, fitting in, and maybe losing a bit of that wild spark along the way.
And what about that super cryptic line, “A family of trees wanted to be haunted”? Honestly, this one’s a bit of a head-scratcher, and people have all sorts of ideas. Maybe it suggests that even nature, or things that seem stable and rooted (‘family of trees’), has a yearning for something more, something mysterious or even unsettling (‘haunted’)? Or perhaps it hints at the loss of innocence, how even idyllic settings can hold darker undertones as we grow older? It adds this layer of weird, slightly unsettling poetry to the whole thing. It’s definitely not your typical pop lyric!
Warm Water, Cold Shivers: The Confusion of Growing Up
The later verses really lean into the disorienting feelings that come with transitioning into adulthood. “The water is warm, but it’s sendin’ me shivers” – that’s such a great description of anxiety, or just that weird mix of comfort and unease that often pops up. Things might seem okay on the surface (‘warm water’), but there’s an underlying tension or fear (‘shivers’).
Then we get lines like, “A baby is born, cryin’ out for attention” which could literally mean new responsibilities, or metaphorically represent the constant demands and needs that adulthood piles on. And “The memories fade like lookin’ through a fogged mirror”? Oof, that hits home. Childhood memories become hazy, less distinct, harder to grasp clearly as time marches on.
The kicker might be: “Decision to decisions are made and not bought / But I thought this wouldn’t hurt a lot, I guess not”. This feels incredibly real. Adult life is full of choices that have real weight, real consequences you can’t just buy your way out of. And that painful realization that growing up, making these choices, often involves hurt or disappointment you didn’t anticipate when you were younger. It’s a direct contrast to the ‘no consequences’ vibe of childhood.
So, What’s the Big Takeaway from MGMT’s “Kids”?
Putting it all together, “Kids” feels like a brilliant, bittersweet anthem about the journey of growing up. It celebrates the boundless freedom and unthinking joy of childhood while simultaneously acknowledging the necessary, sometimes painful, constraints and complexities of adult life. It’s not saying one is strictly better than the other, but it highlights the stark contrast and the sense of something lost – or maybe just transformed – in the process.
The song captures that universal feeling of looking back with fondness, maybe a little sadness, but also recognizing that the “control” and the “consequences” are just part of the deal now. It’s a reminder of where we came from and how different the world looks through older eyes. It’s nostalgic, yeah, but with a sharp edge of realism. That infectious beat suddenly feels like it’s masking a deeper sigh about the complexities of life.
Alright, we’ve journeyed through the story MGMT seems to be telling in “Kids.” But you know, sometimes the most powerful messages are hiding in plain sight, within individual lines that just stick with you. Let’s pull out a few that feel particularly resonant, almost like little life lessons tucked into the music.
Finding Nuggets of Wisdom: Inspirational Quotes from MGMT’s “Kids”
Even in a song grappling with the bittersweet reality of growing up, you can find some lines that offer a little spark of inspiration or a moment of reflection. Here are a few standouts from “Kids”:
Quote 1: Embracing the Unfiltered Start
Okay, so maybe being “too loud” isn’t always ideal, but think about the spirit here. This quote celebrates that raw, uninhibited enthusiasm we have early on. It’s about pursuing something (‘it’) with everything you’ve got, even if you’re still figuring things out (‘crawlin”). It’s a reminder to appreciate the messy, imperfect beginnings and the passion that drives them, even if it’s not perfectly polished. Don’t stifle that initial spark just because it’s not ‘perfect’ yet!
Quote 2: The Beauty of Unthinking Action (Sometimes!)
While adult life demands we do think of consequences, this line is a beautiful little ode to spontaneity and curiosity. It reminds us of the value of occasionally just doing something out of pure interest or joy, without overthinking it. Sometimes, getting lost in a small moment, like examining an insect, without worrying about the bigger picture, can be incredibly grounding and refreshing. It’s about finding wonder in the small things and allowing yourself moments of uncalculated action.
Quote 3: The Adult Mantra – Finding Balance
This one might sound restrictive at first, but think of it as a call for mindfulness and sustainability in a world that constantly encourages excess. It’s not necessarily about rigid self-denial, but more about conscious consumption – whether that’s material things, energy, or even emotional investment. It’s a reminder to be intentional, to understand what you truly need versus what’s just noise or temptation. Finding that balance is a key part of mature living, preventing burnout and fostering appreciation for what you have.
Quote 4: Facing Hard Truths Head-On
This is perhaps the most sobering quote, but it holds a powerful truth. It’s an inspiration to face reality, acknowledging that life involves making tough choices with real outcomes, and sometimes, those outcomes involve pain or difficulty. You can’t always smooth things over or buy an easy solution. There’s strength in recognizing this, in understanding that pain is sometimes part of the process, and in moving forward anyway. It encourages authenticity and resilience in the face of hardship.
So, what do you reckon? Does this interpretation of “Kids” resonate with you? It’s such a layered song, I bet everyone hears something slightly different based on their own experiences. Maybe you see the “family of trees” totally differently, or perhaps certain lines hit you harder than others. I’d love to hear your take on it! What does MGMT’s “Kids” mean to you? Drop your thoughts below!
