When You're Young
3 Doors Down Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

So far away from knowing where I am going
I am trying hard to find out who I am
They all see that I don't know what I am doing
I say they don't hardly understand

Why can't they remember
What I'll never forget
How these dreams can come undone
When you're young

You give what you give cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
They want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done
When you're young

Everything seems perfect
Everything's okay
It will all get better now
At least that's what they say
But I don't see it coming

You give what you give cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
They want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done

When you're young, things never seem wronger
They say it's better this way
I hope one day I am stronger than I feel
And I hope that it feels different than today

You give what you give cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
They want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done
It's already over and done
It's already over and done
When you're young

Why can't they remember
What I'll never forget




How these dreams can come undone
When you're young

Overall Meaning

The song When You're Young by 3 Doors Down talks about the struggles of finding one's identity and maintaining the dreams and aspirations one has at a young age. The lyrics suggest that the singer is lost and struggling to figure out what he wants to do with his life. He feels like he is trying hard to find out who he is but no one seems to understand. He sees the people around him as trying to mold him into what they want him to be instead of letting him find his own identity.


The second verse talks about the pressure that young people face from the society to conform to the norms and expectations. The singer is trapped in a place that won't accept him and make him into what he's not. He feels like he has already lost it all and the dreams he had as a young person are shattered. The societal pressure of giving what you give doesn't allow him to express himself freely.


The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "You give what you give cause they make you, trapped inside a place that won't take you, they want you to be what they make you, it's already over and done". It emphasizes the theme of societal pressure to be the person others want you to be, rather than being who you truly are. However, the singer hopes that someday he will be stronger and able to resist the pressure and become his authentic self.


Line by Line Meaning

So far away from knowing where I am going
I feel lost and unsure about my future and direction in life.


I am trying hard to find out who I am
I am making an effort to discover my true self and identity.


They all see that I don't know what I am doing
Others perceive that I am confused and uncertain about my life choices.


I say they don't hardly understand
I believe that others do not fully comprehend my struggles and challenges.


Why can't they remember
I wish others could empathize with my experiences and truly remember how difficult it can be.


What I'll never forget
I will always remember the challenges and struggles that I faced when I was young.


How these dreams can come undone
I realize that my aspirations and dreams can be easily shattered and lost along the way.


When you're young
Being young is a time of uncertainty, change, and transition.


You give what you give cause they make you
Others have a strong influence over the choices and actions that I make.


Trapped inside a place that won't take you
I feel stuck and unable to move forward in an environment that is not conducive to my growth and development.


They want you to be what they make you
Others have specific expectations and desires for me, and want me to conform to their standards.


It's already over and done
Time seems to move quickly and things can change rapidly, leaving me feeling left behind or out of place.


Everything seems perfect
At times, people may pretend that everything is going well and life is perfect, even when it's not.


Everything's okay
People may try to convince themselves and others that everything is fine, even when they are struggling.


It will all get better now
There is hope that things will improve and circumstances will change for the better.


At least that's what they say
Despite the hopeful words, I may not fully believe that things will actually get better.


But I don't see it coming
I have doubts and concerns about the future and cannot envision a positive outcome.


When you're young, things never seem wronger
As a young person, it may feel like everything is going wrong or against you.


They say it's better this way
Others may try to justify difficult or challenging situations, claiming that it will be beneficial in the long run.


I hope one day I am stronger than I feel
I aspire to be more resilient and powerful than I currently am, despite my struggles.


And I hope that it feels different than today
I long for a brighter and more positive future, where things feel more hopeful and optimistic.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brad Arnold, Christopher Henderson, Marti Fredriksen, Matthew Roberts

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@simonalexander8610

So far away from knowing where I'm going
I am trying hard to find out who I am
They all say that I don't know what I'm doing
I say they don't hardly understand

Why can't they remember
What I'll never forget?
How these dreams come undone
When you're young

You give what you give 'cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
They want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done
When you're young

Everything seems perfect
Everything's okay
It will all get better now
At least that's what they say
But I don't see it coming

You give what you give 'cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
They want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done
When you're young

Days never seemed longer
They say it's better this way
I hope one day I am stronger than I feel
And I hope that it feels different than today

You give what you give 'cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
They want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done
It's already over and done
It's already over and done
When you're young

Why can't they remember
What I will never forget?
How these dreams come undone
When you're young



@WatchLearnSee

So far away from knowing where I am going
I am trying hard to find out who I am
They all say that I don't know what I am doing
I say they don't hardly understand

Why can't they remember
What I'll never forget
How these dreams can come undone
When you're young

You give what you give 'cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
And they want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done when you're young

Everything seems perfect, everything's okay
It will all get better now
At least that's what they say
But I don't see it coming

You give what you give 'cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
And they want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done when you're young

Days never seemed longer
They say it's better this way
I hope one day I am stronger than I feel
And I hope that it feels different than today

You give what you give 'cause they make you
Trapped inside a place that won't take you
And they want you to be what they make you
It's already over and done, it's already over and done
It's already over and done when you're young

Why can't they remember
What I will never forget?
How these dreams can come undone
When you're young



All comments from YouTube:

@kevintarvin1112

The perfect band. They have everything. They have earned it. Right amount of edge. Haven't sold out. Voice, lyrics, guitars, riffs, drums, hard and soft, meaningful, the look. Did it all themselves. In a wired way remind me most of the Scorpions with a wider appeal. They need to come to Seattle.

@adolfoperalta1250

Right amount of EDGE

@theshowstopper22

Thank You Edge ❤

@DeepakSharma-ej4ni

Just Curious Why everyone is relating this song with Edge?

@ThePuppetMasterV1

Deepak Sharma It was his retirement promo song.

@DeepakSharma-ej4ni

*Generic Youtube Username*  Oh thanks for the Info.

@rileyomalley1525

ThankYouEdge

@talhasiddiqi9865

And he's back now

1 More Replies...

@CenationRKOFreak

This Songs Always Has, & Always Will Make Me Cry.. For 2 Reasons: 1. Edge. *Thank You, Adam Copeland* And 2. It's Really Just An Absolute Beautiful Song <3

@heeljustin8683

Edge 😢 listening to this years later is so heartbreaking

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