As I was going for a walk on a beautiful, Texas afternoon, this song played from Spotify: “Rewind” by Jet Black Alley Cat. I immediately loved the song and listened to it on repeat the rest of the way home.

I love music and try to some degree to stay current, so I was surprised that this song is about 6 years old.

The sound is excellent, but the lyrics started me thinking.

The song captures some of the emotions many Gen Z young adults are feeling. That is why I am calling it an “anthem”.

Anthem=”A song, statement, or idea that strongly captures the feelings or identity of a group, generation, movement, or moment.”

Gen Z=”Most researchers define Gen Z as people born roughly between: 1997-2012.”

The lyrics are below and I will make a few comments, in bold, along the way to make my point.

[Verse 1]
Looking back on the old days (IMMEDIATE NOSTALGIA. LOOKING BACK TO A BETTER TIME).
When I was seventeen and spiritual (ONCE WAS SPIRITUAL, THE FEELING IS THAT THIS IS NOW MISSING).
I remember the steps how I carried myself
Yeah I was everything original
It was me and my friends on the town (JOY OF FREINDSHIP WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER)
Just singing our lungs out (Singing our lungs out)
I wasn’t told if I didn’t hold tight
That my spirit could fade out (TALK ABOUT TRAGIC, LOSING YOUR SPIRIT/SOUL).

[Chorus]
‘Cause now I’m miserable (THIS IS THE WAY THE SINGER IS FEELING NOW, MISERABLE)
Staring at my wall all day (BEING INSIDE AND POSSIBLY STARING AT A SCREEN?)
Sadly cynical
That none of this will ever change
They said get out of the house
Drive a car down south to survive (SOLUTIONS THAT DON’T REALLY WORK)
I’d rather slam on the breaks
Put a pause and a space in the time
Oh then rewind (Then rewind)

[Verse 2]
I envision my old ways
Back when love was just habitual
I felt the freedom to really expressing myself
It was extreme and fully radical
But maybe growing up the challenge is managing clutter and hard hearts and bored (BOREDOM…THE RESULT OF AN UNSATISFYING LIFE)
I think maybe I’m a victim of too much noise (THE NEWS, SOCIAL MEDIA, BUSYNESS, ENDLESS DISTRACTIONS. THIS IS ALL GEN Z HAS KNOWN).

[Chorus]
‘Cause now I’m miserable
Staring at my wall all day
Sadly cynical
That none of this will ever change
They said get out of the house
Drive a car down south to survive (Survive, survive, survive)
I’d rather slam on the breaks
Put a pause and a space in the time
Oh then rewind (Then rewind)
Oh then rewind (Then rewind)
Put a pause and a space in the time
Then rewind, then rewind, then rewind (END OF SONG)

I genuinely love Generation Z. All three of my kids are Gen Z. Gen Z values authenticity. They are funny, energetic, creative, and deeply desire a meaningful life.

But our culture has discipled them with lies. Many lies. Follow your heart. You are the authority of your life (expressive individualism). Social media is the same thing as being in real-life community.

In this song, Rewind, there is a desire to go back in time or at least to stop and ponder the good ole days. I am the most nostalgic person I know. Nostalgia is powerful, but it can also deceive us. The answer to emptiness is not found in rewinding the past.

Ecclesiastes is a wonderful antidote for what is troubling Gen Z. Solomon, who tasted all the pleasures of the world and felt “miserable.” Empty. Like all of life was just vanity. But within the heartache that is seen and felt in Ecclesiastes, there is hope.

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” -Ecclesiastes 12:13

The answer to emptiness is not to rewind time, but to return to the God who gives life meaning.