Fourteen
Beat Happening Lyrics


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We were playing with your rabbits
We were feeding them some cabbage
You were telling me that you have a black and white cat
We took a walk to [something, possibly soc-hop]
We jumped rope and played hop scotch

All the things I wanted to say
Staring at your face and looking away
All the things I wanted to tell
But I couldn't trust you
I couldn't trust myself

It's not that you're bad, no
I just can't seem to let myself go

You see, to me, the best part of sex is walking home, holding hands, after swimming in the lake
To me, the best part of love is when you say, you'll be my friend

We were wearing our pajamas
We were eating some bananas
I wanted to tell you how I want to be your pal

All the things I wanted to say




Staring at your face and looking away
Now it's too late

Overall Meaning

The Beat Happening's song "Fourteen" is a nostalgic look back at a time of childhood innocence and adolescent infatuation. The lyrics describe two young kids, possibly age 14 or less, playing with rabbits, feeding them cabbage, and taking a walk. During their time together, the singer longs to confess their feelings, as they stare at the other person's face and look away unable to express their emotions. The chorus describes the person's difficulty in trusting either their love interest or themselves.


The reference to walking home and holding hands after swimming in the lake highlights their youthful innocence and creates a feeling of warmth and nostalgia. The song shows that the singer is not ready for the fullness of love and sex, but instead finds more pleasure in the pure form of companionship and friendship. The lines about wanting to be friends reveal the singer's uncertainty in their feelings. The song concludes with the realization that it's too late to say anything as they have lost their chance.


Overall, the song is a relatable reflection of the uncertainty and nervousness that comes with young love. The lyrics convey the honest and raw emotions that come with unrequited affection and the regrets that may be felt after the opportunity has passed.


Line by Line Meaning

We were playing with your rabbits
We were spending time together at your house, playing with your pet rabbits.


We were feeding them some cabbage
We were feeding the rabbits some cabbage as a treat.


You were telling me that you have a black and white cat
You were sharing with me that you have a black and white cat as a pet.


We took a walk to [something, possibly soc-hop]
We went on a walk to some unknown location, possibly a social event.


We jumped rope and played hop scotch
We played jump rope and hopscotch together.


All the things I wanted to say
I had a lot of thoughts and feelings that I wanted to express.


Staring at your face and looking away
I couldn't bring myself to look you in the eye while I had these thoughts and feelings.


All the things I wanted to tell
There were things that I wanted to share with you that were weighing on my mind.


But I couldn't trust you
I didn't feel like I could confide in you or trust you with my thoughts and feelings.


I couldn't trust myself
I was also struggling to trust my own judgement and ability to communicate effectively.


It's not that you're bad, no
I didn't think that you were a bad person, just that I had difficulty opening up to you.


I just can't seem to let myself go
I was having trouble letting my guard down and being vulnerable with you.


You see, to me, the best part of sex is walking home, holding hands, after swimming in the lake
My idea of intimacy and connection involves a romantic walk and physical touch after experiencing a fun activity together.


To me, the best part of love is when you say, you'll be my friend
For me, the most important aspect of a loving relationship is having a strong foundation of friendship.


We were wearing our pajamas
We had changed into our comfortable sleepwear.


We were eating some bananas
We were snacking on some bananas together.


I wanted to tell you how I want to be your pal
I wished to express my desire to be close friends with you.


Now it's too late
Unfortunately, I feel like the opportunity to share these thoughts and feelings with you has passed.




Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
Written by: Bret Lunsford, Calvin Douglas Johnson, Heather Lewis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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