Sunday Song Lyric:

Sometimes I pause to reflect how the events of September 11 have changed American culture. The reverberations of that event will continue for quite some time, if not forever. Consider, for example, what is acceptable humor. It’s graduation season. Were it not for the attack on the World Trade Center thirty two months ago, high school and college graduates-to-be might be listening to “If I Were a Terrorist (I’d Bomb Your Graduation)” by Something Corporate.

She’s out of school again
But she won’t be calling from where she is going
the lines are jammed this time
what could a girl like her need with a slacker like me

If I were a terrorist
I’d bomb your graduation
If I were a terrorist
there’d be no hesitation

So I’m going on tour with the band
She said “stay for the summer” but she don’t understand
That the radio plays what they want you to hear
and I want them to play you your love song this year

If I were a terrorist
I’d bomb your graduation
If I were a terrorist
there’d be no hesitation
The cameras are flashing
Her black robe is passing
and there I am chilled to my bones
This is the year my girlfirend’s leaving home

She’ll probably end up with a frat guy
She’ll probably get pinned while I sleep in the van
I’m sure she’ll be home for thanksgiving
I’ll send her a picture of me making out with a fan . . .
And . . .

If I were a terrorist
I’d bomb you’re graduation
If I were a terrorist
there’d be no hesitation
The cameras are flashing
Her black robe is passing
and there I am chilled to my bones

This is the year my girlfirend’s leaving
this is the year my girlfriend’s leaving
this is the year my girlfriend’s leaving
home

I take it the song was written as an absurdist and amusing, angst-filled teen lament. Today, however, it is simply in bad taste. Indeed, enjoying such a song is now almost unthinkable. Post-September 11, as I understand it, SoCo stopped playing the song at concerts and dropped their plans to include the song on an album. At this point, it is hard to believe the song will ever be released.