Growin' Up
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics

Well, I stood stone-like at midnight
I was frozen with fear and uncertainty during a pivotal moment in my life, unable to move or make a decision.

Suspended in my masquerade
During this time, I felt like I was pretending to be someone else, hiding my true self behind a mask.

And I combed my hair, it was just right
I wanted to present myself in the best possible light, paying close attention to my appearance and how others saw me.

And commanded the night brigade
Despite my fear and uncertainty, I tried to take charge and lead those around me through this difficult time.

I was open to pain and crossed by the rain
I was vulnerable and willing to experience the difficult emotions that come with growth and change.

And I walked on a crooked crutch
Despite my vulnerabilities, I tried to keep moving forward even if it meant doing so with an unsteady foundation.

I strolled all alone through a fallout zone
I ventured through tough territory on my own, with no one to guide me or offer support.

And came out with my soul untouched
Despite the difficulties, my inner self remained intact and unchanged, which gave me strength and resilience.

I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
In order to feel safe and secure, I tried to blend in with others despite feeling lost and alone.

But when they said, "Sit down" I stood up
At a certain point, I realized that I needed to stand up for myself and be my own person, even if it meant going against the crowd.

The flag of piracy flew from my mast
I rebelled against societal norms and expectations, going against the rules to forge my own path forward.

My sails were set wing to wing
I had high hopes and ambitions for where my life could go, and I was determined to chase my dreams.

I had a jukebox graduate for a first mate
I was surrounded by people who came from different backgrounds and walks of life, which helped to broaden my perspective.

She couldn't sail but she sure could sing
Even though those around me may not have had traditional skills or qualifications, they had something else valuable to offer, such as creativity or passion.

And I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues
I fought battles against those who doubted me or tried to hold me back, using my own unique strengths and talents to overcome their objections.

With my gear set stubborn on standing
I refused to give up on my dreams or compromise my beliefs, even in the face of adversity or opposition.

I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school
I went against traditional expectations and broke free of my past, allowing myself to forge a new path forward.

Never once gave thought to landing
I refused to play it safe or limit myself, taking risks and refusing to settle for anything less than my full potential.

I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
At times, I felt comforted by being around others, even if they didn't understand my journey.

But when they said, "Come down" I threw up
When others tried to bring me back to reality or conform to expectations, I felt sick and uncomfortable, realizing that I was meant for something greater.

I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere
I allowed myself to dream big and imagine a life beyond my current reality, even if it seemed far-fetched or unattainable.

And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
The journey towards growth and self-discovery can be scary and challenging, forcing you to hold on and brace yourself through difficult times.

I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
The path to true growth and change is not without sacrifice, forcing you to give up things you cherish or fear losing in order to find your true self.

I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress
I was unapologetically myself, even if it meant standing out or looking different than others.

But my feet they finally took root in the earth
After a long journey of self-discovery, I finally found a sense of grounding and comfort in my own skin.

But I got me a nice little place in the stars
Even though I have found a sense of grounding in my own life, I never lost sight of my dreams and aspirations, keeping them close to my heart.

And I swear I found the key to the universe
Through my journey of self-discovery, I found a sense of purpose and meaning that allowed me to see the world in a new, enlightening way.

In the engine of an old parked car
I found meaning and purpose in unexpected places, proving that true self-discovery can come from any source if you keep an open mind.

I hid in the mother breast of the crowd
I found comfort in being around others, who provided a sense of safety and security during a challenging journey.

When they said, "Pull down" I pulled up
Even though the crowd may have tried to bring me down or conform to societal norms, I continued to pull up and rise above, finding strength and resilience in my own journey.

Ooh, growin' up
This entire song is about the journey of self-discovery and growth that we all must undertake as we move through life, learning to find our own way forward in the world.