30/90
Andrew Garfield Joshua Henry Vanessa Hudgens Robin de Jesus Alexandra Shipp & MJ Rodriguez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you lose the bout
Freeze the frame
Back it up
Time to refocus
Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't fight it, like taxes
At least it happens only once in your life
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just want to lay down and cry
Not just another birthday
It's 30/90
Why can't you stay twenty-nine?
Hell, you still feel like you're twenty-two
Turn thirty, 1990
Bang, you're dead, what can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more approach
Before you're out of gas
Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean-up batter
On a team that ain't a winner
Don't freak out, don't strike out
Can't fight it, like City Hall
At least you're not alone
Your friends are there, too
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey
Can you be optimistic?
You're no longer the ingenue
Turn thirty, 1990
Boom, you're passƩ, what can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Which way to Never Never Land?
Emerald City's gone to hell
Since the wizard blew off his command
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
You're not into making choices, wicked witches
Poppy fields or men behind the curtain
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Clock is ticking, that's for certain
And they're singing, "Happy Birthday" (happy birthday)
I just wish it all were a dream
It feels much more like Doomsday
Fuck 30/90
Seems like I'm in for a twister
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Turn thirty in the '90s
Into my hands now the ball is passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is calling, it's now or Neverland
Why can't I stay a child forever, and
30/90, 30/90 (30/90)
30/90, 30/90 (30/90)
30/90, 30, 30/90 (what)
What can I do?
30/90, 30, 30/90
What can I do?
The song 30/90 by Andrew Garfield is a reflection on the fear and anxiety associated with turning 30 years old, particularly during the year 1990. The lyrics suggest a feeling of being stuck in time, as the years pass by quickly while the singer feels like he is still in his 20s. The repetition of the chorus, "30/90, what can I do?" highlights the singer's feelings of powerlessness and confusion about life, as he faces the reality of growing older and facing the challenges and disappointments that come with it.
The verses of the song address specific aspects of aging, such as the physical changes that come with getting older, feeling stuck in a dead-end job or relationships, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. The lyrics suggest that it's natural to feel overwhelmed by these changes, but that it's important to remain optimistic and not give up: "Don't panic, don't jump ship. Can't fight it, like taxes. At least it happens only once in your life."
The song also references various cultural icons, such as Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, the Wizard of Oz, and lost children, all of which serve to underscore the singer's sense of feeling lost and out of place. Overall, 30/90 speaks to a universal feeling of uncertainty and fear associated with growing older, while also advocating for pushing forward and finding hope despite the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop the clock
Take a pause in life
Take time out
Step back from the hustle and bustle of the world
Time to regroup
Time for introspection and self-reflection
Before you lose the bout
Before you end up losing in life
Freeze the frame
Pause and capture the moment in time
Back it up
Rewind to look back into the past
Time to refocus
Time to concentrate on what lies ahead
Before they wrap it up
Before it's too late or the end comes
Years are getting shorter
Time seems to fly by quickly as you grow older
Lines on your face are getting longer
Signs of aging and wrinkles are more distinct
Feel like you're treading water
Going through the motions of life without any progress
But the riptide's getting stronger
Despite feeling stagnant, the world keeps changing without your control
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Don't make impulsive decisions or give up just yet
Can't fight it, like taxes
Change is inevitable like paying taxes, it's unavoidable
At least it happens only once in your life
This particular milestone happens only once, so don't freak out too much
They're singing, Happy Birthday
The world is celebrating a day that you're dreading
You just want to lay down and cry
You're not feeling great about the whole ordeal
Not just another birthday
This birthday is a big deal and comes with new challenges
It's 30/90
The specific birthday milestone is 30-years-old in 1990
Why can't you stay twenty-nine?
You don't feel ready to be thirty
Hell, you still feel like you're twenty-two
You don't feel like you've aged at all mentally
Turn thirty, 1990
A specific year combined with an age to create a unique milestone
Bang, you're dead, what can you do?
Suddenly, you're this new age and there's no going back
Clear the runway
Prepare for takeoff, get things in order for what's next
Make another pass
Take another swing at what you want in life
Try one more approach
Attempt to achieve your goals one final time
Before you're out of gas
Before you're too tired or burnt out
Friends are getting fatter
Your support system is coasting along with you
Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Getting older has clear physical signs
Feel like a clean-up batter
Finding purpose seems difficult when everything seems lost
On a team that ain't a winner
Life doesn't always go as planned and it can feel like you're losing
Don't freak out, don't strike out
Don't panic or give up, just because things aren't perfect
Can't fight it, like City Hall
Avoiding change is futile, it's like trying to fight a steadfast institution
At least you're not alone
Others are going through similar moments of uncertainty and aging
Your friends are there, too
You have a support system to navigate you through tough times
They're singing, Happy Birthday
The rest of the world remains joyful despite your disinterest
You just wish you could run away
The birthday seems daunting and you'd rather avoid it altogether
Who cares about a birthday?
The whole concept of celebrating a day of aging isn't exactly uplifting
But 30/90, hey
This specific milestone means something unique to the person
Can you be optimistic?
Finding positivity during tough life moments
You're no longer the ingenue
You're no longer a rookie at life, you've learned some hard lessons
Turn thirty, 1990
The year and age that bear specific meaning to the person
Boom, you're passƩ, what can you do?
Suddenly, you're not as relevant as you use to be
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Characters from children's stories referenced as characters that don't age
Which way to Never Never Land?
The desire to keep youthful and never grow old
Emerald City's gone to hell
A reference to the Wizard of Oz, things don't seem as shiny and magical anymore
Since the wizard blew off his command
Things fell apart after the one in charge left
On the streets you hear the voices
There's constant noise and chaos in the world
Lost children, crocodiles
People feel directionless and confused, danger looms
You're not into making choices, wicked witches
Making decisions and choices feels overwhelming and witches represent negative influences and consequences
Poppy fields or men behind the curtain
Reference to The Wizard of Oz- sometimes things aren't what they seem
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
More famed Wizard of Oz objects and characters
Clock is ticking, that's for certain
The dreaded feeling of time running out
And they're singing, Happy Birthday
Despite the chaos of the world, someone is still singing Happy Birthday over it all
I just wish it all were a dream
Regret about the reality of aging and life
It feels much more like Doomsday
The birthday seems scary and apocalyptic
Fuck 30/90
The person doesn't feel positive or happy about the age mileston
Seems like I'm in for a twister
The world seems tumultuous and unpredictable
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
The person doesn't feel optimistic
Into my hands now the ball is passed
The responsibility to live life and make the most of it is now in the person's own hands
I want the spoils, but not too fast
Desire for success and achievement but with limited effort or struggle
The world is calling, it's now or Neverland
The urgency of living life now before it's too late
Why can't I stay a child forever, and
Longing to remain innocent and carefree
30/90, 30/90 (30/90)
Repetition of the specific age milestone
What can I do?
Feeling lost and uncertain about what to do next
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jonathan Larson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Caden Pierson
Lyrics:
Stop the clock
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you lose the bout
Freeze the frame
Back it up
Time to refocus
Before they wrap it up
Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't fight it, like taxes
At least it happens only once in your life
They're singing "Happy Birthday"
You just want to lay down and cry
Not just anothŠµr birthday
It's 30/90
Why can't you stay 29?
Hell, you still feel like you're 22
Turn thirty, 1990
Bang! You'rŠµ dead
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more approach
Before you're out of gas
Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean-up batter
On a team that ain't a winner
Don't freak out, don't strike out
Can't fight it, like City Hall
At least you're not alone
Your friends are there too
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just wish you could run away
Just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey
30/90, hey
Can't you be optimistic?
You're no longer the ingenue
No longer the ingenue
Turn thirty, 1990
Voom! You're passƩ
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Which way to Never Never Land?
Emerald City's gone to hell
Since the wizard
Blew off his command
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
But you're not into
Making choices, wicked witches
Poppy fields, or men behind the curtain
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Clock is ticking, that's for certain!
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
I just wish it were all just a dream
It feels much more like Doomsday
f**k
30/90
Seems like I'm in for a twister
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Turn 30 in the 90's
Into my hands now
The ball is passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is calling
It's now or Neverland
Why can't I stay a child forever, and
30/90
30/90
30/90
30/90
30/90
30, 30/90
What can I do?
ohm chanon
Stop the clock
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you lose the bout
Freeze the frame
Back it up
Time to refocus
Before they wrap it up
Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't fight it, like taxes
At least it happens only once in your life
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just want to lay down and cry
Not just anothŠµr birthday
It's 30/90
Why can't you stay twenty-nine?
Hell, you still feel likŠµ you're twenty-two
Turn thirty, 1990
Bang! You're dead
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more approach
Before you're out of gas
Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean-up batter
On a team that ain't a winner
Don't freak out, don't strike out
Can't fight it, like City Hall
At least you're not alone
Your friends are there, too
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey
Can you be optimistic?
You're no longer the ingenue
Turn thirty, 1990
Boom! You're passƩ
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Which way to Never Never Land?
Emerald City's gone to hell
Since the wizard
Blew off his command
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
You're not into
Making choices, wicked witches
Poppy fields, or men behind the curtain
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Clock is ticking, that's for certain!
And they're singing, "Happy Birthday" (Happy birthday)
I just wish it all were a dream
It feels much more like Doomsday
Fuck 30/90
Seems like I'm in for a twister
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Turn thirty in the '90s
Into my hands now
The ball is passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is calling
It's now or Neverland
Why can't I stay a child forever, and
30/90
30/90 (30/90)
30/90
30/90 (30/90)
30/90
30, 30/90
What can I do?
30/90, 30, 30/90
What can I do?
17Buckets ..
Stop the clock
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you loose the bout
Face the thrill
Back it up
Time to refocus
Before they lap it up
Year's are getting shorter
The lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't find it, like taxes
At least it happens
Only once in your life
They're singing, "Happy birthday"
You just wanna lay down and cry
Not just another birthday, it's 30/90
Why can't you stay 29
Hell, you still feel like you're 22
Turn 30 in 1990
Bang! You're dead, what can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more hook
Before you're out of gas
Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on you head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean up batter
On a team that ain't a winner
Don't freak out, don't strike out
Can't fight it, like city hall
At least you're not alone
Your friends are there too
They're singing, "Happy birthday"
You just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey
Can't you be optimistic?
You're no longer eons of you
Turn 30, 1990
Voom! You're passes
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Peter Pan and tinker bell
Which way to never never land?
Emerald city's gone to hell
Since the wizard blew off passed the map
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
But you're not into
Making choices, wicked witches
Poppy fields, or men behind the curtains
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Clock is ticking, that's for certain
They're singing, "Happy birthday"
I just wish it all were a dream
It feels much more like dooms day
What 30/90 seems
I'm dying for a twister
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Turn 30 into 90
Look into my hands now
What the ball has passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is falling
It's now or never land
Why can't I stay till
The forever end?
What can I do?
What can I do?
fin
Stop the clock
Take time out
Time to regroup
Before you lose the bout
Freeze the frame
Back it up
Time to refocus
Before they wrap it up
Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't fight it, like taxes
At least it happens only once in your life
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just want to lay down and cry
Not just anothŠµr birthday
It's 30/90
Why can't you stay twenty-nine?
Hell, you still feel likŠµ you're twenty-two
Turn thirty, 1990
Bang! You're dead
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Clear the runway
Make another pass
Try one more approach
Before you're out of gas
Friends are getting fatter
Hairs on your head are getting thinner
Feel like a clean-up batter
On a team that ain't a winner
Don't freak out, don't strike out
Can't fight it, like City Hall
At least you're not alone
Your friends are there, too
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just wish you could run away
Who cares about a birthday?
But 30/90, hey
Can you be optimistic?
You're no longer the ingenue
Turn thirty, 1990
Boom! You're passƩ
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell
Which way to Never Never Land?
Emerald City's gone to hell
Since the wizard
Blew off his command
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
You're not into
Making choices, wicked witches
Poppy fields, or men behind the curtain
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
Clock is ticking, that's for certain!
And they're singing, "Happy Birthday" (Happy birthday)
I just wish it all were a dream
It feels much more like Doomsday
Fuck 30/90
Seems like I'm in for a twister
I don't see a rainbow, do you?
Turn thirty in the '90s
Into my hands now
The ball is passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
The world is calling
It's now or Neverland
Why can't I stay a child forever, and
30/90
30/90 (30/90)
30/90
30/90 (30/90)
30/90
30, 30/90
What can I do?
30/90, 30, 30/90
What can I do?
nep
I am no where near my 30s yet. Am I still sobbing over this song? Absolutely. Andrew did a spectacular job!!
Spongebobby
still the song tells you to appreciate your youth cuz years pass and will never come back
John Sailors
I'm only 26 but I'm telling you now, waste no time!
SpeedyGamey
@John Sailors well im about turn 18 and have no idea how to be an adult
darkespeon64
about to be 25 and threw out my arm. i kinda feel this song rn like fuck I'm not a kid anymore and even though I've gotten myself into shape i already missed my peak fitness being a fatass eating chips and sitting around all day
darkespeon64
@SpeedyGamey news flash, no adult knows how to be an adult. just keep having each others backs that's it
kawaii mango
I'm almost 19 years old, but I'm still crying over this song. I'm worried it's too late to reach my dream of becoming a musical actress.
Slowest Man Alive
If you try hard enough and luck is on your side, your dreams could come true. Don't quit even if things get tough.
Toria Crouse
This movie is about Johnathon Larson who was turning 30 and wanted to write a Broadway musical. he didn't make it until he was 36 so it's never too late.
Hasan Ahmed
Dreams don't have expiry dates