Meaning of "Age of Self" by Jono McCleery

In "Age of Self," Jono McCleery challenges the notion that social classes no longer exist in contemporary society. The lyrics convey a sense of cynicism towards the idea that everyone is now equal. McCleery highlights the stark contrast between those who are doing well and those who are struggling, emphasising that there are still individuals falling by the wayside. He dismisses the belief that this is a time of progressing towards a more inclusive society, referring to it as the "age of self."

The repeated line "It seems to me if we forget our roots or where we stand, the movement will disintegrate like castles built on sand" serves as a warning. McCleery cautions against losing sight of the past and the struggles that have led to progress, as doing so will only lead to the disintegration of movements aimed at addressing inequality. He suggests that without a solid foundation, these movements are as fragile as castles built upon unstable sand.

The song can also be seen as a criticism of the focus on image and surface-level change that is often associated with societal progress. McCleery implies that true progress comes from understanding and addressing the root causes of inequality and not simply creating new images to project a sense of change. He believes that a broader base of life experiences and perspectives is valuable, but questions whether this alone is enough to bring about true societal change.

Overall, "Age of Self" provokes thought about the state of society and reminds listeners of the importance of acknowledging and addressing social inequality. By warning against forgetting our roots and illustrating the fragility of movements built on surface-level change, McCleery underscores the need for a strong foundation in the pursuit of genuine progress.