Standing off with a girl named Rose The tattoo on her neck says "so it goes" She's dying for the chance just to let us know That much like her, we're being sold Well you don't have to be a punk if you don't want to You don't even have to date girls if you don't want to You don't have to be Kurt Cobain if you don't want to You don't have to listen to The Germs if you don't want to Every place is the same So you moved to Minneapolis and changed your name Now you're watching TV in a scummy bar Thinking "what is this sh**?", there's no such thing as fun Well you don't have to be anyone if you don't want to You don't have to get a job if you don't want to You don't have to read Ayn Rand if you don't want to You don't have to listen to The Smiths if you don't want to The truth is nothing but a waste of time A hung up old suit and a runaway bride The only thing that should frighten you is nothing Kicking around, building confidence for something Well you don't have to be a punk if you don't want to You don't even have to date boys if you don't want to You don't have to be fooled twice if you don't want to You don't have to listen to me if you don't want to, no