From the recordings Life, Love, and Philosophy and Seventeen
I had this concept floating around when I wrote “Where Has The Love Gone?”, and chose a different direction for that tune. Some of the melody and chord progression were modified from older cassette recording sessions which you can hear on Disc 2, which were fused into one song with new words.
This is a song about the progressive movement at the beginning of the 20th century, and the passage of the 17th amendment in 1913 along with other progressive initiatives that basically increased the power of the Federal Government and laid the foundations for what was to occur throughout the last century up to now. The refrain is about how people don’t seem to understand any of this anymore, and the bridge refers to an answer which is Objectivism. A consistent, clear philosophy that defends the individual, which is the basis for a truly free society. For more background, read some of Ayn Rand’s non-fiction works like “Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal”.
Lyrics
Seventeen ©2022
-Art Wildish Music Group, LLC-
Intro: Em7 Em6 Emaddb13 Em –2x Emadd9 G6 –2x
Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 C D
Seventeen, that’s when it all began, though some may say that it was well before then.
Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Am D
Seventeen, you may not remember then, this place was young and so were we.
Em D G6 Esus4 Em
Well, you want to live, but you don’t know how to live,
C D G6 Esus4 Em
And you want to love, but you don’t know how to love,
C D Bm Em C
And you blame someone else, because things aren’t right today, well check your views.
Am D Emadd9 G6 -2x
It seems to me that you’re a bit confused.
Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 C D
People came, from far across the waves, searching for things denied, and the freedom to choose
Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Am D
Beauty Queens, popular paparazzi, misleading, deceiving the ignorant masses.
Em D G6 Esus4 Em
Well, you want to live, but you don’t know how to live,
C D G6 Esus4 Em
And you want to love, but you don’t know how to love,
C D Bm Em C
And you blame someone else, because things aren’t right today, well check your views.
Am D Em7 Em6 Emaddb13 – 2x
It seems to me that you’re a bit confused.
Solo: Emadd9 G6 - 3x C D, Em D G6 Esus4 Em - 2x, C D Bm Em C, Am D
G#m7#5/E to E – 3x A to Asus2 F#7sus4 to F#m – 3x B7
I know there’s a better world, where we can be free. I know there’s a better place, if only you’ll see.
G#m7#5/E to E – 3x A to Asus2 F#7sus4 to F#m – 2x G6/11 B7 G6/11 B7
I see a better world, its there in our grasp. I know that a better world, can be ours at last, can be ours at last.
Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 C D
Shifting power, shifting loyalties. Controlling, extoling virtues on vices.
Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Emadd9 G6 Am D
Seventeen, it may seem distant now, a century’s passed, and people are less free.
Em D G6 Esus4 Em
Well, you want to live, but you don’t know how to live,
C D G6 Esus4 Em
And you want to love, but you don’t know how to love,
C D Bm Em C
And you blame someone else, because things aren’t right today, well check your views.
Am D Emadd9 G6 - 6x
It seems to me that you’re a bit confused. A bit confused, check your views, your confused
Em7 Em6 Emaddb13 Em -2x Em9