Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPoW19TUfg8
Please, sir, tell me why there’s no black Superman, KKK kryptonite?
“God only makes Caucasian super-heroes.”
Please, sir, tell me why we stick a man on the moon when life on earth’s so cheap?
“Son we gotta do our bit for the world trade deficit.”
Please, sir
Please, sir
Tell me why
If “God is love,” I’m so dysfunctional
Please, sir, tell me why there’s so much vagrancy
“Layabouts get a job.” - Well, there’s an opening for a part-time Unabomber
Please, sir, tell me why my life’s so pitiful but “the future’s so bright.”
Well, I’d look ahead but it burns my retinas
Please, sir
Please, sir
Tell me why
If “God is love,” I’m so dysfunctional
This song contains references to:
Superman (1903)
Superhero (1930)
Kryptonite (1943)
KKK (1878)
Caucasian (1795)
God / “God is love” (Biblical origins)
“If we can put a man on the moon…” (1962)
trade defecit (1540s)
Dysfunctional (1915)
vagrancy (1706)
pitiful (1580s)
layabouts (1932)
job (1620)
Part time (1891)
Unabomber (1979)
“future’s so bright” / burn my retinas (1986)
Quick Assessment
At least late 80s for someone to get all the references, but someone from the 1915 would understand 50% of the references
Modifications
“Kryptonite” (1943) could be swapped out for an older word such as "repellant (1660s) and still match the timing of the song
“Layabouts” (1932) could be swapped out for “lazybones” (1590s) which is much older
The whole “parttime unabomber” line could be swapped for “partial” (1380s) + “troublemaker” (1843), or the much older “instigator” (1590s)
“I’m so dysfunctional” (1915) could be swapped out for “I’m just too much impaired” (1380s) and keep the same meaning, albeit it sounding stranger.
“Superhero” (1930) could be swapped with the older “Superman” (1903) and still carry the same meaning.
Verdict
Even with modifications, the “Future’s so Bright” reference places this song firmly in the late 1980s.
Without that reference and the moon landing reference, this song could be understood by someone in 1915.
Otherwise, with all modifications, someone from 1706 could understand half the references.