The Other Kids
copyright 2011 by Tim and Joe Griffin

The other kids get a cell phone with wi-fi and unlimited texting plan
The other kids get junk food for breakfast and they eat as much as they can
The other kids have parties on weeknights and they always get to stay up late
The only thing they don’t have is bedtime and vegetables on their plate

And I wish I could live where the other kids do
Because the other kids’ moms and dads are really cool… not like you.

The other kids get a TV in their bedroom and they leave it on all the time
They keep it on while they’re doing their homework and the teacher said they’re doing fine
The other kids get premium cable, PS3 and a Wii
The other kids get X Box Live, that’s no jive, hey are you listening to me?

You know I wish I could live where those other kids do
‘Because the other kids’ moms and dads are really cool… not like

You make me eat my vegetables, do homework, make me go to bed at nine
It’s not fair but it’s gonna be so fine

The other kids get expensive clothes and shoes and hair, they look like movie stars
When the other kids turn sixteen their moms and dads are gonna buy them all brand new cars
When the the other kids go to jail, mom and dad make their bail
Mom and dad you gonna flip your lids as soon as I can find those other kids

How I wish I could live where those other kids do
‘Because the other kids’ moms and dads are really cool… not like you.

Notes

My son (10 years old when this was written) deserves co-author credit for this song: he was lobbying his mother and me for a cell phone in 5th grade and introduced as evidence the fact that “all the other kids” have one, though he couldn’t actually cite anyone specifically.

“Ah,” I said. “Are these the same other kids who get to stay up later than you and play video games as much as they like?” In fact, they are the very same. Warming to the subject, my son gave a lengthy exposition upon the rights and privileges these other kids enjoy, all of which are unjustly denied to him. He was rather enjoying himself until he realized I was taking notes.

Kids:
the next time your parents won’t let you have something all the other kids have, you should absolutely sing this song for them. I promise you will get exactly what you deserve.