The End of the Innocence is a song by Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby, released as the title track of Henley’s 1989 album of the same name. The lyrics to the song are an ode to the passing of a simpler, more innocent time in America, which Henley believes has disappeared for good. The song was the first single from the album and reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The chorus of the song captures the essence of the passing of this innocence: “It’s the end of the innocence/Lookin’ back on the sentiment/Slippin’ away, was it ever there at all?” Here, Henley is questioning whether or not this innocence was ever really there in the first place. He then goes on to ask, “Lost in the shadow of the morning sun/Will the bizarre ever be un-done?” Here, Henley is questioning whether or not the strange and unusual events of the world will ever be reversed or undone.
The lyrics of the song are reflective of Don Henley’s personal feelings on the passing of this innocence. He believes that this innocence was never really there and that events such as the Vietnam War and the Cold War have caused a permanent shift in American culture. He believes that this shift has been for the worse and that the country will never be the same.
The song also speaks to a larger theme of generational divide. Henley believes that the younger generation is not aware of the innocence that was present in the past and that they are not taking the time to appreciate it. He also speaks of the “fading dream of the past” and how it is being forgotten. He is suggesting that the younger generation is not taking the time to remember the past and the dreams that it held.
The lyrics of The End of the Innocence are a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering the past and the dreams that it held. They are also a warning that the innocence of the past is quickly disappearing and that we must take the time to remember and appreciate what it was before it is gone forever. The song is a call to action for us to take the time to remember the innocence of the past and to ensure that it is not forgotten.
The Meaning Behind The Lyrics
The End of the Innocence is a song about the loss of innocence in American culture and society. It speaks to the idea that the innocence of the past is quickly slipping away and that it will never be the same again. The lyrics of the song are reflective of Don Henley’s personal feelings on the passing of this innocence, and they are a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering the past and the dreams that it held.
The song speaks to a larger theme of generational divide. Henley believes that the younger generation is not aware of the innocence that was present in the past and that they are not taking the time to appreciate it. He also speaks of the “fading dream of the past” and how it is being forgotten. He is suggesting that the younger generation is not taking the time to remember the past and the dreams that it held.
The lyrics to The End of the Innocence also serve as a warning to us that the innocence of the past is quickly disappearing and that we must take the time to remember and appreciate what it was before it is gone forever. The song is a call to action for us to take the time to remember the innocence of the past and to ensure that it is not forgotten.
The Legacy Of The Song
The End of the Innocence has become a classic song and an anthem for the passing of innocence in American culture. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, and U2. The song has also been featured in films such as Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, and Thelma & Louise.
The song has become a timeless classic and a reminder of the importance of remembering the past and the dreams that it held. The song is a call to action for us to take the time to remember the innocence of the past and to ensure that it is not forgotten.
Conclusion
The End of the Innocence is a powerful song that speaks to the loss of innocence in American culture and society. The lyrics of the song are reflective of Don Henley’s personal feelings on the passing of this innocence, and they are a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering the past and the dreams that it held. The song is a call to action for us to take the time to remember the innocence of the past and to ensure that it is not forgotten.
