2025 Competition Entry:

“Baby Of The Boom” by Steve Perron

Genre

Folk

Artist

Website

Co-writer(s)

no

Performer(s)

I am playing and singing this song.

Description

I was out for coffee with my wife, looking through a coffee-table book about life in the Fifties. It made me think back on growing up in a time of massive change, and fear, planting the seed for this song.

Bio

I was born in 1955, smack dab in the middle of the Post WWII Baby Boom. I grew up in suburban America, fully experiencing the seismic transition from the conservative Fifties to the turbulent Sixties, and beyond. I am an award-winning broadcast journalist (multiple Emmy awards), now retired. I began playing guitar in high school, began writing songs in my 40’s. I now play out all over St. Louis and host one of the longest-running, most popular open mics in the St. Louis area. I am married with two adult children and grandchildren.

Lyrics

Baby of the Boom (Steve Perron)

I was born in the shadow of the bomb
My mom and dad let out a cheer when it came down
When the air raid sirens blew – I was howlin’ in my room
I’m a baby of the boom

We played under the Fallout Shelter sign
G.I.s busted through the great suburban line
Tradin’ the city and the farm
For a ranch house and a front lawn
“Duck and Cover” was our nursery rhyme

I was finishing my lunch in the 3rd grade
When Lee Harvey blew away our JFK
I saw my teacher cry – Heard a nation asking why
And we still don’t know today

=== (CHORUS) ====

We grew our hair – rock and roll became our tune
The British boys – they made our women swoon
But it was hard to sing and dance – Through MLK and Vietnam
But we cheered when we walked on the moon

We believed we could make a better way
Give peace a chance is what we used to say
Then Oklahoma / Columbine / 9-11 – – Blow my mind!
The more things change – the more they stay the same
Oh John Lennon please come back and play

=== ( CHORUS ) ====

Now when the madness gets too loud
I light up and make my own mushroom cloud
Close my eyes and take a toke
Disappear right in the smoke
Here we go
– Here we go

So it should come as no surprise
I’m as crazy as a loon
I’m a baby of the boom

Leave a comment