Launching their debut album in 2012 on Copenhagen Records, Lukas Graham quickly became a popular live act in Denmark. That success translated to the rest of Europe and caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records who co-signed them in 2013. The band’s music was first introduced worldwide with the release of their two singles "Mama Said" and "7 Years", the latter of which topped various international charts. Their second album was released internationally on April 1.
7 Years
Lukas Graham Lyrics
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Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old
It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger
Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor
Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure
Once I was eleven years old my daddy told me
Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely
Once I was eleven years old
I always had that dream like my daddy before me
So I started writing songs, I started writing stories
Something about that glory just always seemed to bore me
'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me
Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
Once I was twenty years old
(Lukas Graham)
I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major
I got my boys with me at least those in favor
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
I was writing 'bout everything, I saw before me
Once I was twenty years old
Soon we'll be thirty years old, our songs have been sold
We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming
Soon we'll be thirty years old
I'm still learning about life
My woman brought children for me
So I can sing them all my songs
And I can tell them stories
Most of my boys are with me
Some are still out seeking glory
And some I had to leave behind
My brother I'm still sorry
Soon I'll be sixty years old, my daddy got sixty-one
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month
Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me
Soon I'll be sixty years old
Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me
Soon I'll be sixty years old
Once I was seven years old, my momma told me
Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
Once I was seven years old
Once I was seven years old
The lyrics of Lukas Graham's popular song "7 Years" take listeners on an emotional journey through different phases of life, beginning with the innocence of childhood and ending as an elder reflecting back on the past. The song is essentially a reflection on life's milestones and its ups and downs, from childhood to adulthood, and the lessons that come with them.
The opening verse sets the stage with "Once I was seven years old my momma told me, go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely," representing the simple and pure innocence of childhood. The second line about getting friends is notable because making friends can be extremely difficult for many children, especially those who are introverted or socially awkward. The singer goes on to state how life was big and thought they were bigger, representing the youthful optimism and feeling of invincibility that comes with growing up.
The second verse picks up where the first left off, representing the teenage years with "By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor, never rich so we were out to make that steady figure." These lines represent the coming of age and newfound responsibility and troubles that come with growing up. The lyrics then transition to the next phase of life in the third verse with "Once I was twenty years old, my story got told, before the morning sun when life was lonely," representing the challenges and difficulties of transitioning into adulthood. From there, the lyrics go on to talk about the singer's family, friends, successes and regrets, ultimately reflecting on the inevitability of aging and passing life's lessons down to the next generation.
Line by Line Meaning
Once I was seven years old my momma told me
At the age of seven, my mother advised me to go find friends or else I'll be lonely.
Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
She wanted me to socialize more and make friends, so that I wouldn't feel lonely in life.
Once I was seven years old
I was seven years old at that time.
It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger
At a young age, we saw the world as a big place and thought we were capable of anything.
Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
We were always challenging ourselves and each other to learn and grow faster.
By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor
By the age of eleven, we started experimenting with substances such as marijuana and alcohol.
Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure
We were not wealthy, so we aimed to make a stable income for ourselves.
Once I was eleven years old my daddy told me
When I turned eleven, my father advised me to get a wife otherwise I'll be lonely.
I always had that dream like my daddy before me
My father had a dream that I also had, which was to become a songwriter and storyteller.
So I started writing songs, I started writing stories
I began writing songs and stories, which I believed was the best way to express myself.
Something about that glory just always seemed to bore me
I realized that fame and glory were not my true motivators, as they always bored me.
'Cause only those I really love will ever really know me
I strongly believed that only those who really knew and cared for me would understand my true self.
Once I was twenty years old, my story got told
By the time I turned twenty, my story and successes were known by others.
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
At a certain point in my life, I had to face and overcome loneliness while dealing with life's challenges.
I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
I strongly focused on my goals and didn't see failure as an option.
'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major
I believed that even the smallest voices and actions could create a major impact in the world.
I got my boys with me at least those in favor
I had my friends with me, at least those who supported me wholeheartedly.
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later
In case I don't meet my friends again in this lifetime, I hoped to see them in another one.
Soon we'll be thirty years old, our songs have been sold
By the time we reach thirty, our music has been listened to and sold by many people.
We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming
We have been traveling to various places and have not settled down yet.
I'm still learning about life
I'm still figuring out the meaning of my life and the world around me.
My woman brought children for me
My partner gave birth to our children.
So I can sing them all my songs
I can sing my kids all the songs that I've written.
And I can tell them stories
I can also tell my children different stories that I've experienced.
Most of my boys are with me
Most of my friends are still with me and supporting me.
Some are still out seeking glory
However, some of my friends are still out there seeking fame and success.
And some I had to leave behind
Unfortunately, I also had to let go of some of my friends along the way.
My brother I'm still sorry
I still feel sorry for not being able to help or support my brother at some point in our lives.
Soon I'll be sixty years old, my daddy got sixty-one
I realize that soon I will become a senior citizen, and my father is already sixty-one years old.
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I believe that if one remembers the important things in life, their life will become better.
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I remember making a man really happy when I wrote him a letter once.
I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month
I hope that my children will come and visit me once or twice a month when I'm older.
Once I was seven years old
I was once a seven-year-old boy.
Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely
My mother advised me to make friends because she didn't want me to feel lonely in life.
Once I was seven years old
I was once a seven-year-old boy.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lukas Forchhammer, Morten Ristorp Jensen, Stefan Forrest, David Labrel, Morten Pilegaard, Christopher Steven Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind