Meaning of "Why'd We Come" by Oingo Boingo

The lyrics of "Why'd We Come" delve into the concept of progress and the consequences that come with it. The song opens by acknowledging the advancements that humanity has made, pointing out that society has become more civilized and intelligent. However, the lyrics quickly shift focus to question whether these advancements have truly made life any better or if they have only led to further destruction. The line "We know how to blow the whole world apart" highlights the destructive power that humans possess, despite all their intelligence.

The lyrics then delve into the complexities of relationships and love. The lines "We still fall in love, though we know better" allude to the fact that love can be irrational and illogical, even though humans have gained knowledge and understanding over the years. It questions why humans continue to pursue love, even though they know that it can be challenging and may not always bring happiness. This theme is further emphasized in the line "Anything at all just to stay together," suggesting that people are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain a romantic relationship, even if it means sacrificing their own well-being.

The chorus of the song repeatedly asks the question, "Why'd we have to come all this way?" This can be interpreted as a rhetorical question, questioning the necessity of progress and the consequences that have come with it. The song suggests that perhaps humanity could have stopped progressing when it was ahead, avoiding the complexities and difficulties of modern life. It reflects on the road travelled and the hard journey that humanity has undertaken, expressing surprise at how far humans have come.

The lyrics of "Why'd We Come" end by lamenting the current state of affairs. The line "It didn't have to end up like this" suggests a sense of regret and disappointment at the current state of the world. It implies that things could have been different if humans had made different choices and that the current state of affairs is not the desired outcome.