Not Nineteen Forever
Courteeners Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tried to insinuate sometimes
I am in danger of going too far
Said, would I like to go for tea and toast
"Get your hand off my thigh"
In the car she turned to me and said
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
I know it seems strange but things, they change
Older woman and a younger man
Both of them doing all they can
Tried to get your attention all night long
Asked you once, I asked you twice, asked you four times
If you'd like to dance to that song
Front crawled the crowd down the stairs
And then I followed you out in the rain, nowhere to be found
Never mind, you'll probably never look that pretty again
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
I know it seems strange but things, they change
Older woman and an ever so slightly younger man
God bless the band, they're doing all they can
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
I know it seems strange but things, they change
Older woman and an ever so slightly younger man
God bless the band, they're doing all they can
You're not nineteen forever
You're not nineteen forever
You're not nineteen forever
It's not big, you're definitely not clever
The lyrics to Courteeners' song "Not Nineteen Forever" depict a narrative about a young man's encounter with an older woman. The opening lines, "She tried to peel me off the pavement, tried to insinuate sometimes I am in danger of going too far," suggest that the woman is trying to rescue the singer from a self-destructive path. However, he is resistant to her efforts and rejects her advances, as shown in the line, "Get your hand off my thigh."
The second verse illustrates the young man's failed attempts to gain the attention of someone else at a social gathering. Despite repeatedly asking them to dance and following them outside in the rain, he ultimately cannot find them. The line, "Never mind, you'll probably never look that pretty again," hints at his realization that this fleeting moment of attraction may never be repeated.
The chorus, "You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together," serves as a reminder that youth and its transient relationships will eventually fade. The line, "Older woman and an ever so slightly younger man, God bless the band, they're doing all they can," implies that both characters in the story are trying their best to navigate their contrasting ages and experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
She tried to peel me off the pavement
She made an effort to rescue me from a difficult and stagnant situation
Tried to insinuate sometimes
Attempted to subtly imply that things could be different
I am in danger of going too far
I am at risk of pushing boundaries and crossing limits
Said, would I like to go for tea and toast
Asked if I would be interested in a casual and simple meal
"Get your hand off my thigh"
She demanded that I stop making inappropriate advances
In the car she turned to me and said
While we were in the car, she looked at me and spoke
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
You can't stay young and immature forever, gather yourselves and grow up
I know it seems strange but things, they change
I understand it may be difficult to accept, but life constantly evolves
Older woman and a younger man
A relationship between a woman who is older and a man who is younger
Both of them doing all they can
Both individuals are putting forth maximum effort
Tried to get your attention all night long
Made continuous efforts to capture your interest throughout the entire night
Asked you once, I asked you twice, asked you four times
Requested your attention repeatedly, demonstrating persistence
If you'd like to dance to that song
Inquired if you would be interested in dancing to a specific song
Front crawled the crowd down the stairs
The crowd moved gradually forward in a slow and cautious manner
And then I followed you out in the rain, nowhere to be found
I pursued you in the rain, but you disappeared and couldn't be located
Never mind, you'll probably never look that pretty again
Forget about it, it's unlikely that you will ever appear as attractive as you did then
Older woman and an ever so slightly younger man
A relationship between a woman who is older and a man who is only slightly younger
God bless the band, they're doing all they can
May the band be blessed, as they are putting forth their best efforts
It's not big, you're definitely not clever
Your actions are not impressive, and you are certainly not intelligent
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Liam James Fray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CarlosGonzalez-nf4qm
Lyrics
She tried to peel me off the pavement
Tried to insinuate sometimes
I am in danger of going too far
Asked me would I like to go for tea and toast
Get your hand off my thigh
In the car she turned to me and said
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourself together
I know it seems strange but things, they change
Older woman and a younger man
Both of them doing all they can
Tried to get your attention all night long
Asked you once, I asked you twice, asked you four times
If you'd like to dance to that song
Front crawled the crowd down the stairs
And I followed you out in the rain, nowhere to be found
Never mind, you'll probably never look that pretty again
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourself together
I know it seems strange but things, they change
Older woman and an ever so slightly younger man
God bless the band, they're doing all they can
You're not nineteen forever
You're not nineteen forever
You're not nineteen forever
It's not big, it's definitely not clever
@bradleywhite97
She's had to peel me off the pavement
Trying to insinuate sometimes I'm in danger of going too far
Said would I like to go for tea and toast?
Get your hand off my thigh
In the car she turned to me and said
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
I know it seems strange but things they change
Older woman and a younger man
Both of them doing all they can
Trying to get your attention all night long
Asked you once, I asked you twice, asked you four times
If you'd like to dance to that song front crawled the crowd
Down the stairs and then I followed you out in the rain
Nowhere to be found, never mind
You'll probably never look that pretty again
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
I know it seems strange but things they change
Older woman and ever so slightly younger man
God bless the band, they're doing all they can
You're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together
I know it seems strange but things they change
Older woman and ever so slightly younger man
God bless the band, they're doing all they can
You're not nineteen forever
You're not nineteen forever
You're not nineteen forever
It's not me, you're definately not clever
@nonaynever1882
I am a massive Burnley fan. Me and my best mate used to go to Burnley home and away regardless of distance. He unfortunately took his own life 27/08/24 and this is one of the songs on our shared matchday playlist. I always have a tear in my eye listening to this. I am seeing The Courteeners in Manchester at the Co-op Live in November. I will sing this at the top of my lungs for my boy.
Miss you, Lewis. You'll always be a claret
@bonkedwoofy4240
RIP for your mate. Smile because it happened
@jackiepower3153
He had a good friend in you ❤
@RossHamMil
I was born on the 5th of May 1996. Today is the 4th of May 2016 and tomorrow I turn 20. I made a promise to myself that I would return to this song on the last day of being a teenager. Here I am
@dougiet1999
this comments special, i wish you well on your journey through adulthood, ive still got three years left myself :)
@lmcleon8331
+dougietelfer1999 this comments as gay as Elton John's back pocket
@dougiet1999
+Kevin Mccarroll yer maw
@realjjumpdown
Enjoy yourself
@GTiR23
How's the 20's treating you pal?
@ianhunter8924
I'm 58 and when I hear this song I go absolutly mental! This is such an absolute belter, was in a bar in South London a few years ago and when this came on I swear everyone knew the words and just bounced along. Love this.