TheSeeker April 3rd, 2009 10:45PM  
The song is quite straightforward: it's about the isolation of growing up in the mundane, groupthink-infested surroundings of suburbia. In the suburbs, uniformity is the way of life: same houses, same cars, same interests, same lifestyles, same beliefs. There's no room for youthful dreamers, for people who want to do something more than live a mundane middle-class existence where everything from material comforts to opinions and thoughts are shoved down your throat whether you want them or not. There's nothing to accomodate the square pegs who don't fit into the round holes, or for those who desperately want to march to the beat of their own drum. In short, you are denied the right to be different and unique, and it's incredibly frustrating and isolating.

And yet, the people who do live in the 'burbs and seemingly enjoy it are, in truth, no happier. They give up their most profound dreams of happiness to settle for the superficial contentment of suburban life, and let themselves sink into complacency. They let themselves live their routine lives of going to work, going back home, living in the community, being caught up in the rat race, etc. But they are still drawn to and fascinated by the city, which serves as a symbol for the dreams, action, and excitement that the suburb-dwellers, in their hearts, so desperately seek.

I think this is a song that a lot of young kids can relate to. Love it.