Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)

Cracker

About Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)

"Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" is a song and single by the rock band Cracker. Released in 1992, it appeared on their debut album Cracker. The song was also released as a successful single, and it charted at number 1 on the US Modern Rock Tracks, arguably breaking Cracker into the mainstream. The song was later released on the compilation albums, Garage D'Or and Get On with It: The Best of Cracker. Re-recordings of the song appear on the album Greatest Hits Redux and — accompanied by bluegrass band Leftover Salmon — O' Cracker Where Art Thou?.  


Year:
2000
4:15
151 
#1

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I don't know what the world may need
But I'm sure as hell that it starts with me
And that's a wisdom
I've laughed at

I don't know what the world may want
But a good stiff drink it surely don't
So I think I'll go and fix myself a tall one

'Cause what the world needs now
Is a new kind of tension
'Cause the old one just bores me to death

'Cause what the world needs now
Is another folk singer
Like I need a hole in my head

I don't know what the world may need 
But a V8 engine's a good start for me
Think I'll drive and find a place
To be surly

I don't know what the world may want
But some words of wisdom could comfort us
Think I'll leave that up to
Someone wiser

'Cause what the world needs now 
Are some true words of wisdom 
Like la la la la la la la la-la
 
'Cause what the world needs now 
Is another folk singer 
Like I need a hole in my head

I don't know what the world may need
And I never grasped your complexities 
I'd be happy just to get
Your attention

And I don't know what the world may want
But your long sweet body lying next to mine
Could certainly
Raise my spirits

'Cause what the world needs now 
Is a new Frank Sinatra 
So I can get you in bed

'Cause what the world needs now 
Is another folk singer 
Like I need a hole in my head

What the world needs now
What the world needs now
Is a new Frank Sinatra so I can get you in bed

What the world needs now
What the world needs now
Is another folk singer like I need a hole in my head

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Cracker

Cracker is an American alternative rock band led by its founders and songwriters, singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. It is best known for its gold-selling 1993 album, Kerosene Hat, which includes the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl" and "Get Off This". more »

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Written by: DAVID ALLEN FARAGHER, DAVID CHARLES LOWERY, JOHN ARTHUR HICKMAN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

About the Song
"Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now)" is a track by Cracker. It's one of their most popular songs. It was released in 1992 as part of their self-titled debut album. - Initially, the song didn't chart on the Billboard Hot 100, but it later went on to peak at number 1 on the US Modern Rock chart.
About Cracker
Cracker is an American rock band led by singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The group is often associated with the post-grunge and alternative rock movements of the 1990s. - Besides their music career, the band is also known for its decade-long legal fight with Spotify over royalties, which shed light on the struggles artists face in the digital age.
Collaboration with Leftover Salmon
Leftover Salmon, a band known for their genre-blending music and energetic live shows, covered "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)" with Cracker. - The collaboration gave a unique twist to the original song, blending Cracker's alternative rock style with Leftover Salmon's bluegrass and rock fusion.
Lyrics and Theme
The official title is "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)", reflecting the song's focus on the struggles, confusion, and rebellion commonly associated with teenage years. - The lyrics are somewhat satirical, suggesting what the world needs is another folk singer or a new brand of soap, highlighting the insincerity and commercialism of society.
Recognition and Popularity
"Teen Angst" found considerable success on alternative radio stations, and its music video was frequently played on MTV. - It has been covered by several other bands and is still a standout track in Cracker's discography, consistently performed at live shows. The song's enduring popularity demonstrates its relevance, even decades after its initial release.
David Lowery's View
David Lowery, Cracker’s lead vocalist, and principal songwriter once expressed that the song was, in part, about the challenge of being a musician - specifically the struggle to remain original and meaningful in the face of commercial pressures.
Legacy
The song's refrain, "What the world needs now is another folk singer like I need a hole in the head," is memorable and has been referred to in popular culture on various occasions. - It is considered an anthem for Generation X, expressing its cynicism and frustrated idealism.

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