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The Pursuit of Happiness — I'm An Adult Now
Album: Love Junk
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 435









Released: 1986
Length: 4:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well, I don't hate my parents
I don't get drunk just to spite them
I've got my own reasons to drink now
Think I'll call my dad up and invite him
I can sleep in till noon anytime I want
Though there's not many days that I do
Gotta get up and take on that world
When your an adult it's no cliche it's the truth
(Chorus)
'Cause I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
I can't even look at young girls anymore
People will think I'm some kind of pervert
Adult sex is either boring or dirty
Young people they can get away with murder
I don't write songs about girls anymore
I have to write songs about women
No more boy meets girl boy loses girl
More like man tries to figure out what the hell went wrong
I can't take any more illicit drugs
I can't afford any artificial joy
I'd sure look like a fool dead in a ditch somewhere
With a mind full of chemicals
Like some cheese-eating high school boy
Sometimes my head hurts and sometimes my stomach hurts
And I guess it won't be long
Till I'm sitting in a room with a bunch
Of people whose necks and backs are aching
Whose sight and hearing's failing
Who just can't seem to get it up
Speaking of hearing, I can't take too much loud music
I mean I like to play it, but I sure don't like the racket
Noise, but I can't hear anything
Just guitars screaming, screaming, screaming
Some guy screaming in a leather jacket
Wooah!
(Chorus)
Comments (131)add comment
This is so feckin' funny, like LOL, dude, and so, so sadly true. It never fails to put a smile on my chops and a pang in my ageing heart. I never heard it back in the 80s, so thanks to RP for playing it. 10 from the wistful Nottingham jury.
Posted 8 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
I first heard this as "I'm on the dole now" and figured he was filling out his UB-40.

 

 
HA
Posted 11 years ago by :+:_DL    [ Reply ]
Are you fucking kidding me!?!
Posted 11 years ago by :+:_DL    [ Reply ]
I first heard this as "I'm on the dole now" and figured he was filling out his UB-40.

 
Posted 11 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
 melzabutch wrote:


 
Homeless Alone?
Posted 11 years ago by MassivRuss    [ Reply ]
Geez, sum up my early twenties why don't ya?
Posted 11 years ago by dirtbagpook    [ Reply ]
 melzabutch wrote:


 
Oops. Oh dear.
Posted 11 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
Just can't help it-- I love it! Had I heard it when it first came out, it would have been so appropriate for that time in my life.
Posted 11 years ago by rich95969    [ Reply ]
In the late 80s this song provided us some relief from all the techno synthesizers we were listening to, but...  when we listen to this song now we should hear it for what it really is - a weak rock song.
Posted 11 years ago by mibetter    [ Reply ]

Posted 11 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
I liked this when it came out... good sound... produced by Todd Rundgren...  but I'm not surprised its not well liked here....  
Posted 11 years ago by silby    [ Reply ]
 ottojschlosser wrote:
This is a hoot.

 
 
When I first heard it back in the 90s on 97x (BAM the Future of Rock-n-Roll), it made me chuckle.
Posted 11 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Not sure what I was thinking giving this a 2....

Most definitely a 1
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
 gillespp wrote:
Haven't heard this before—it's damn good!

 
ah irony ... you can't beat it.
Posted 11 years ago by clive369    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
Really prefer to have had this die in the 80's....

Not a timeless classic.... 

 
Oh, poo poo on you.
Posted 11 years ago by horstman    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
Really prefer to have had this die in the 80's....

Not a timeless classic.... 

 
I agree with you there, ck.
Posted 11 years ago by JIan    [ Reply ]
This is a hoot.
Posted 11 years ago by ottojschlosser    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this before—it's damn good!
Posted 11 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
 westslope wrote:

I keep hearing:  I am on the dole now.

 

I guess you call that having the welfare state on the noggin. 

 
Ha! me too!
Posted 11 years ago by Diamond_Dog    [ Reply ]
 impediguy wrote:
I bought this album when I was still working at my first job after college. What am I now?
 

Older?
Posted 11 years ago by jt1    [ Reply ]
I may now occupy seemingly different co-ordinates within the endlessly entertaining and infinite variation of The Flux-Dance Light Matrix, but I'm hearing this song again and FEELING IT ~<Dzzjjjjzzdtt!>~ CONNECTED!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Wow, since I'm an adult now I haven't heard this since the good ol days....sigh! Love it!
Posted 11 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
had to buy this
guess i'm an adult now 
Posted 11 years ago by coy    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:
I remember seeing this band some twenty-odd years ago at the Sydney University Bar. I have never seen a band rock out a place like these guys did that night. Excellent then and still excellent now!! Definitely in my all-time Top 10
 
I saw them after their first album in a club in Boston and came away with the same feeling...I wish they were still around
Posted 11 years ago by ColdMiser    [ Reply ]
Really prefer to have had this die in the 80's....

Not a timeless classic.... 
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]

I keep hearing:  I am on the dole now.

 

I guess you call that having the welfare state on the noggin. 


Posted 11 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
 templefrost wrote:
This is a laboured attempt at what was good and raw about Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized".
 
hehe — yeah, true-that — good call.  I don't care for either song, but I agree with your analysis.
Posted 12 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
 impediguy wrote:
I'm fifty two. The singer was younger than I am. When is now? Will someone let me know when I get there?
 
When you start double-posting your getting close {#Nyah}
Posted 12 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
I used to smoke grass and get high
Now I cut grass and sneeze from allergies

I am an adult now 
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
I bought this album when I was still working at my first job after college. What am I now?
Posted 12 years ago by impediguy    [ Reply ]
I remember seeing this band some twenty-odd years ago at the Sydney University Bar. I have never seen a band rock out a place like these guys did that night. Excellent then and still excellent now!! Definitely in my all-time Top 10
Posted 12 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
I'm fifty two. The singer was younger than I am. When is now? Will someone let me know when I get there?
Posted 12 years ago by impediguy    [ Reply ]
Oh yes. There it is... on many levels....
Posted 12 years ago by robertomiller    [ Reply ]
I'm 18. I get confused every day.
I'm 18 and I LIKE it.

41 year old song....
Posted 12 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
I use to not cut my hair and let my freak fly
Now I bling people with the glare off my glad head
I'am an adult now 
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
I was in high school when this came out. Now I am 40..."an adult now". How did that happen?

Oh well, a kickin' song that speaks to me so much more now.
Posted 12 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
 templefrost wrote:
This is a laboured attempt at what was good and raw about Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized".
 
Ah! That's what this is reminding me of.
Posted 12 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Man, I haven't heard this in ages!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
This is a laboured attempt at what was good and raw about Suicidal Tendencies' "Institutionalized".
Posted 12 years ago by templefrost    [ Reply ]

A paean for a mid-life crisis if I've ever heard one.  Brilliant!

 
Posted 12 years ago by DaMoGan    [ Reply ]
Love this - haven't heard it in a long time.
Posted 12 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyqDnYBQsKw
HSR yeah... Boston
Posted 12 years ago by CMax    [ Reply ]
Cheers!

I'm enjoyin the news bytes of those narrow minded douches; also dig this tune, makes me long for Joan Jett, Good Rats or Black Flagg

 kcar wrote:
 
Compared to the loons and mental midgets running for the GOP nomination this year, Bob Dole looks like Abe Lincoln. 
 


Posted 12 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
I am attempting to achieve Escape Velocity here (like, Ten Years of Gravity, and How To Avoid It), and thanks to RP, it seems to be really happening!  ROCKING OUT MAKES TIME AND SPACE SEEM LIKE CO-OPERATIVE FRIENDS INSTEAD of DENSE, VISCOUS FLUIDS...

Posted 12 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
For some reason this song makes me want to hear a tune by Human Sexual Response... "What Does Sex Mean to Me"... some good lines in that one too... something about licking Betty Ford's boots that she wore "all over China".
 
Miss HSR...I don't associate them with this song, but both bands had their heyday in the 80s. Would love to hear "Land of the Glass Pinecones" on RP sometime. 
 
 SinisterDexter wrote:

Are you sure he's not saying: "I'll vote for Dole now?"
  
Compared to the loons and mental midgets running for the GOP nomination this year, Bob Dole looks like Abe Lincoln. 
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 toomanyollys wrote:
I keep hearing "I'm on the dole now" and wondering why he sounds so pleased about it...
 
Are you sure he's not saying: "I'll vote for Dole now?"
Posted 12 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Sounds like something you would hear from a third rate high school band. 

At least they try to rhyme I guess. 
Posted 12 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]
Tell me again where else you can hear this classic track?  Only RP - 8 > 9

Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
For some reason this song makes me want to hear a tune by Human Sexual Response... "What Does Sex Mean to Me"... some good lines in that one too... something about licking Betty Ford's boots that she wore "all over China".
Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing "I'm on the dole now" and wondering why he sounds so pleased about it...
Posted 13 years ago by toomanyollys    [ Reply ]
Dam....missed it by three notes!!
Posted 13 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Much more relevant at 40 than it was at 18.... 
Posted 13 years ago by billystack    [ Reply ]
I seriously thought this was a Weird Al Yankovic song riffing off some other recording. {#Lol}
Posted 13 years ago by ferwoman    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
Some wonderful Todd Rundgren produced power pop! 

Crank it UP!!!

 
Yes! The production skills of Mr. Rundgren were used by many groups and artists, including these guys.


Posted 13 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Heard a funny story from a record label promo rep about trying to get this record played on an English language rock station in Montreal.... The station's music director/DJ - in a heavy Quebecois French accent - said "This is a great song, I want to add it right away and our listeners will love it, but I can't do it."  When pressed as to why he couldn't add the song he said "I can't say the name of the band on the air without giving the wrong impression." 

Don't get it? Try saying Pursuit of Happiness quickly with a Quebecois accent.... remember that they don't pronounce 'H'....

Posted 13 years ago by adroc    [ Reply ]
ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!.... like it as much today as I did back then.  And still relevant!!
Posted 13 years ago by tiffany_epiphany    [ Reply ]
Adulthood? I'm not havin' it.


Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
I have always found this to be a musically annoying song, but I love listening to it...
Posted 13 years ago by sbegf    [ Reply ]
I would not have pegged this as a song from 1986 (having never heard it before).
Posted 13 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
 SoundsGoodToMe wrote:

 Fuck you!  Did I spell that right?

 
yeah I hate the grammar/spelling police too.  it's the internet, it's fun.  Love your comeback.

Posted 13 years ago by dreadpixie    [ Reply ]
One of the last 45's I ever bought, I think.....wow....
Posted 13 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
 SoundsGoodToMe wrote:

 Fuck you!  Did I spell that right?
 
Holy shit, that was funny. . . 
 
Posted 13 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
Oh man, this is a blast from my past!  I used to love The Pursuit Of Happiness.  I have the first two albums, the only ones that were eay to find in the UK.  "I'm An Adult Now" is a fun song, but there are better songs on both albums.
Posted 13 years ago by rathersnappish    [ Reply ]
Yeah - It was great not being one.

Posted 13 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
SO tell me how you really feel about it
Posted 13 years ago by michaelc    [ Reply ]
{#Lol}I appreciate the sentiment, but I just can't get past that this song is musically very, very bad!{#Puke}

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This song has really grown on me over the years.
Posted 13 years ago by berrydoo    [ Reply ]
More TPOH!  1988's "Love Junk" has many really good songs in addition to this.  Thanks Bill!
Posted 13 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Love it!
Posted 13 years ago by Dahnyul    [ Reply ]
 SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
Artist: The Persuit Of Crappiness
Song: I'm Kinda Dull Now
Album: S**t Sandwich 

 
You missed the whole thing dude, really
however,
I  must admit I liked the Fuck off comment - that was good

Posted 13 years ago by houston    [ Reply ]
Love it! I was in high school when this was out; I liked it then, and now that I am 38, I love it! The lyrics have so much more meaning to me now.
Posted 13 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Obviously some non-adult comments going on here.  Wouldn't you look like a fool, dead in a ditch somewhere, with a mind full of chemicals like some cheese-eating high school boy?

Face it, this is just plain funny!
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 paranoidfloyd wrote:


If you're going to mock, learn how to spell. It's "Pursuit" not "Persuit". Look, it's even spelled correctly right there in the title. Look, child, look.
 
 Fuck you!  Did I spell that right?

Posted 13 years ago by SoundsGoodToMe    [ Reply ]
 SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
Artist: The Persuit Of Crappiness
Song: I'm Kinda Dull Now
Album: S**t Sandwich 

 

If you're going to mock, learn how to spell. It's "Pursuit" not "Persuit". Look, it's even spelled correctly right there in the title. Look, child, look.
Posted 13 years ago by paranoidfloyd    [ Reply ]
I can't even look at young girls anymore
People will think I'm some kind of pervert
Adult sex is either boring or dirty
Young people they can get away with murder

Yeah, I'll second that! Hell, I'd have seconded that 20 years ago, let alone now that I'm a middle-aged git. I love the lyrics to this - really funny :o)

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Yeah, more of this!  Back when I could drink, eat and... well you know, whatever I wanted.  Ahhh, memories.{#Twisted}
Posted 13 years ago by jmassoglia    [ Reply ]
I love this song!!
Posted 13 years ago by blkstd    [ Reply ]
Some wonderful Todd Rundgren produced power pop! 

Crank it UP!!!

Posted 13 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
 Raechel wrote:
make it stop, make it stop, MAKE IT STOP!!! 


 

  Speaking of hearing, I can't take too much loud music
I mean I like to play it, but I sure don't like the racket
Noise, but I can't hear anything
Just guitars screaming, screaming, screaming
Some guy screaming in a leather jacket
Wooah!
(Chorus)

Give me more screaming guitars!


Posted 14 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
I somehow missed this fun tune.  What was I doing in '86?
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Great Lyrics - Sad but true
Posted 14 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Artist: The Persuit Of Crappiness
Song: I'm Kinda Dull Now
Album: S**t Sandwich 

Posted 14 years ago by SoundsGoodToMe    [ Reply ]
meh.
Posted 14 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]

{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana}

 

 

Well, I don't hate my parents
I don't get drunk just to spite them
I've got my own reasons to drink now
Think I'll call my dad up and invite him
I can sleep in till noon anytime I want
Though there's not many days that I do
Gotta get up and take on that world
When you're an adult it's no cliche it's the truth
(Chorus)
'Cause I'm an adult now
I'm an adult now
I've got the problems of an adult
On my head and on my shoulders
I'm an adult now
I can't even look at young girls anymore
People will think I'm some kind of pervert
Adult sex is either boring or dirty
Young people they can get away with murder
I don't write songs about girls anymore
I have to write songs about women
No more boy meets girl boy loses girl
More like man tries to figure out what the hell went wrong
I can't take any more illicit drugs
I can't afford any artificial joy
I'd sure look like a fool dead in a ditch somewhere
With a mind full of chemicals
Like some cheese-eating high school boy
Sometimes my head hurts and sometimes my stomach hurts
And I guess it won't be long
Till I'm sitting in a room with a bunch
of people whose necks and backs are aching
Whose sight and hearing's failing
Who just can't seem to get it up
Speaking of hearing, I can't take too much loud music
I mean I like to play it, but I sure don't like the racket
Noise, but I can't hear anything
Just guitars screaming, screaming, screaming
Some guy screaming in a leather jacket
Wooah!
(Chorus)


Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of how I felt at law school graduation.
Posted 14 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
make it stop, make it stop, MAKE IT STOP!!! 


Posted 14 years ago by Raechel    [ Reply ]

"..........more like - man tries to understand what the hell went wrong..."   

great lyrics 


Posted 14 years ago by gjr    [ Reply ]
Wow!  I forgot all about this song, but now I remember hearing it back in the 80's.  Living in So. California and working my first "real" career job.  I laughed then and I'm laughing now just remembering those days, after all these years.  I guess I am really an adult now, even if I don't always act the part.

Thanks for the memories Bill.
Posted 14 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
 tomis wrote:
Sounds like where Weird Al would have ended up musically if he'd been given a guitar as a kid instead of an accordion.
 
Ha! I love TPOH but my wife thinks Moe Berg sounds like Weird Al too!

I definitely can hear the similarity but it doesn't bug me as much as her. 
Posted 14 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Wow, I don't think I have heard this since 1990!  I had forgotten all about it!  Awesome!
Posted 14 years ago by SynapseRider    [ Reply ]
Boy, I can relate.  Thanks for the flashback, Bill!

Posted 14 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
I bought this album after seeing them live in FL in the 80’s. Still a good song and I didn’t have to break out the vinyl to listen. Thanks RP!
Posted 14 years ago by romduck    [ Reply ]
Very amusing!
Posted 14 years ago by Dgradeworkunit    [ Reply ]
This is effen awesome!
It is just as relevant for me now, at 59, as it was for TPOH in 1986.
Posted 14 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
Sounds like where Weird Al would have ended up musically if he'd been given a guitar as a kid instead of an accordion.
Posted 14 years ago by tomis    [ Reply ]
I had not heard this before...

This sure is fun, no? 
Posted 14 years ago by bobringer    [ Reply ]
Originally rated an 8 for coolness. After listening to the lyrics again, bumped to a 9 for truth.
Posted 14 years ago by Panama_Floyd    [ Reply ]
 GreenOnion wrote:
Atta Boy, Bill!  Memories flooding back......Wow!
 

Really. Haven't heard this in years!
Posted 14 years ago by Darlington    [ Reply ]
Should follow this with Sloan's "I'm Not a Kid Anymore"...
Posted 14 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Atta Boy, Bill!  Memories flooding back......Wow!
Posted 14 years ago by GreenOnion    [ Reply ]
so funny
Posted 14 years ago by coding_to_music    [ Reply ]
Yeah baby!!!

Todd Rundgren produced kick butt power pop!!! 
Posted 14 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Oh, yeah Canadian tongue in cheek!  Always thought this song was great... even more so the older I get!
Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Okay, you keep songs like this under wraps, what the government doesn't want us to know about it or something?  All of the quotes from the lyrics are great, people getting older is the new shock after you get over the shock of getting older from a previous decade, of getting older.  Great stuff, universal play it more, please?{#Bananapiano}
Posted 14 years ago by Wardleader    [ Reply ]
Nice blast from the past! It's been so long since I heard this tune I wasn't sure if it was a remake or not.

Posted 14 years ago by devildog    [ Reply ]
I can't take any more illicit drugs
I can't afford any artificial joy
I'd sure look like a fool dead in a ditch somewhere
With a mind full of chemicals
Like some cheese-eating high school boy

Loved it then, love it now!!!!  It's even funnier now, too!
Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
This should be the national anthem!! Awesome Bill.......cuz I'm an adult now and IT SUCKS!!!!! Love the song, hate the aging progression! Play more songs like this!
Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
I'm sorry.... WTF???!?!?
Posted 14 years ago by ksua    [ Reply ]

 I don't write songs about girls anymore
I have to write songs about women
No more boy meets girl boy loses girl
 More like man just tries to understand what the hell went wrong



Posted 15 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 robca wrote:

Haha, Erica Ummmm, flashback indeed...
 

She now runs a web page called, appropriately enough, Yummy Mummy.

Her husband, Terry Moshenberg, runs The League of Rock, which just launched in Vancouver.


Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
 davin wrote:
much music and erica ehm flashbacks
 
Haha, Erica Ummmm, flashback indeed...
Posted 15 years ago by robca    [ Reply ]
much music and erica ehm flashbacks

Posted 15 years ago by davin    [ Reply ]
Met this dude back in the day, when they were touring on this album, tall, lanky guy, played some great guitar - a telecaster if I recall correctly. Good video for this song too.

Posted 15 years ago by robca    [ Reply ]
Man tries to figure out what the hell went wrong!

Gotta love that in a song.
Posted 15 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
I am an adult now, really. I get asked to act my age quite often. I snuck an 8 in here. Sage advice about avoid ditches. Though I still love those screaming guitars.

Posted 15 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
 tovarisch wrote:
Thanks for digging this up brings this lad back to the day when I was living this song with Moe....
 

Privyet! Kak dela?
Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Yeah!  Never thought I'd hear this here or anywhere really again!  Cool....
Posted 15 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Thanks for digging this up brings this lad back to the day when I was living this song with Moe....
Posted 15 years ago by tovarisch    [ Reply ]
I remember Moe Berg and his various band incarnations (Troc '59, facecrime, TPOH) from my university years in Edmonton, Alberta in the 1980s. Around 1984 my best friend and I started our first band, and I remember that the practice space we had (full of cat poop and incredibly stinky) was above a convenience store where Moe worked behind the counter :-)
Posted 15 years ago by MM_Prague    [ Reply ]
 robb104 wrote:

2 comments from 2005, 2 from 2007 and now a few from 2009...
perhaps this tune (and TPOH in general) needs to be played
more often...{#Jump}


 
This is the first time I've heard it, and it makes me smile and chuckle. I like the line about not being able to fancy "young girls" as people'll think "I'm some kind of pervert" :-D. Nice rocky beat, too. 7 from the Nottingham jury.

Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]