Chelsea Cutler is an American singer, songwriter, and producer from Westpo… Read Full Bio ↴Chelsea Cutler is an American singer, songwriter, and producer from Westport, Connecticut. She released her debut studio album, How To Be Human, in January 2020 through Republic Records. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart. She was born and raised in Westport, Connecticut. She played acoustic instruments as a child and moved into electronic music production in high school. While still in high school in 2014, Cutler began posting covers and original songs on her SoundCloud. She continued posting music to her SoundCloud while attending Amherst College in Massachusetts, where she also played soccer. Cutler later decided to drop out of college to pursue music full-time after she was offered a support role on Quinn XCII's national tour in the spring of 2018.

By 2017, several of Cutler's songs (including "Your Shirt") garnered numerous streams and led to collaborations that year with acts like Louis The Child ("Slow Down Love"), ayokay ("The Shine"), Kidswaste ("Tonight"), and Kasbo ("Found You"). She signed a record deal with Ultra Records in late 2017 and released her first EP, "Snow In October". After touring with Quinn XCII in early 2018, Cutler released two independent mixtapes, "Sleeping With Roses" and "Sleeping With Roses II." She also went on her first two nationwide headlining tours in support of each mixtape, both of which sold out in advance.

In March 2019, she signed to Republic Records and released a joint EP, "brent", with friend and label-mate Jeremy Zucker shortly after. The EP features the single "you were good to me", which they performed live on The Today Show. It was also pressed on a limited edition white vinyl through the retailer Urban Outfitters. It was limited to a run of 1000 copies pressed. In May 2019, Cutler collaborated with Kygo on the single, "Not OK". It became her third collaboration (after "Slow Down Love" and "The Shine") to appear on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart, peaking at number 9.

In late 2019, Cutler began releasing new singles, including "How To Be Human" and "Lucky" (featuring Alexander 23). Along with "Sad Tonight", the songs served as the primary singles for her debut studio album, How To Be Human, released on January 17, 2020 by Republic Records. On January 23, 2020 she performed the lead single, "Sad Tonight", on Late Night With Seth Meyers. That song became Cutler's first entry on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart, peaking at number 32 in March 2020. In April 2020, she was featured alongside Quinn XCII on the Louis The Child track, "Little Things".

Cutler was also slated to perform at Coachella 2020, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, she released a version of her song "Crazier Things" which features Noah Kahan.

For music, videos, tour dates, & merch head to: https://www.chelseacutler.com/

Growing Up Is Hard
Chelsea Cutler Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Threw a mattress on the floor and made a home out of a dorm room
She got a credit card in her name to buy what she couldn't afford to
And now she's eighteen, she can barely eat and barely drive
Mind racing, what's the meaning of being alive?
I don't blame her for not doing anything she was supposed to

So much for the young and free
I know that you feel confused

I'm sorry that it hurt so much
Growing up is hard to do
You'll always be a part of me
Swear I'll take better care of you
I'm sorry that it hurt so much
Growing up is hard to do
Hard to do

Rubbing drugs into your gums to prove to your friends that
You're a good time 'til you're crying in the stairwell
Holding your hair back, wishing you had kept your body to yourself
Can't forget the way it felt

So much for the young and free
I know that you feel confused
I'm sorry that it hurt so much
Growing up is hard to do
You'll always be a part of me
Swear I'll take better care of you
I'm sorry that it hurt so much
Growing up is hard to do
Hard to do

You drank yourself dizzy
Held in all your secrets
Took off running naked with a handle in your arms
Woke up in a fever
Sweating out your bad decisions
Couldn't even see straight, but you still got in the car
You tried to be the cool girl
You know the way that boys are
You just wanna talk but it's your body that he counts
It's snowing up in Amherst
You don't feel a damn thing
Everything's a mess when you got nothing figured out

You'll always be a part of me
Swear I'll take better care of you

I'm sorry that it hurt so much
Growing up is hard

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Chelsea Cutler's song "Growing Up Is Hard" paint a vivid picture of the challenges and struggles faced by young adults as they navigate the transition into adulthood. The song begins by describing a young woman who is trying to create a home for herself in a small dorm room, using a mattress on the floor. She goes to great lengths to gain some semblance of independence, even getting a credit card in her name to buy things she couldn't afford. However, despite her efforts, she finds herself overwhelmed and feeling lost, questioning the meaning of her existence. The lyrics express empathy towards her, acknowledging that it's not her fault for not living up to societal expectations.

The second verse delves into another common experience among young adults: the pressure to fit in and seek validation through risky behavior. The lyrics depict the singer numbing her pain with drugs and alcohol, trying to prove to her friends that she's fun and carefree. However, this facade crumbles as she finds herself alone and vulnerable, regretting the choices she made. The chorus reiterates the difficulty of growing up, acknowledging the confusion and pain that comes with the process. Despite the challenges, the singer promises to always be there for the person they are addressing and pledges to take better care of them.

The final verse touches on several themes, including the destructive cycle of self-destructive behavior, the pressure to conform to societal ideals, and the confusion that comes with having an uncertain future. The lyrics describe the singer drowning their sorrows in alcohol, engaging in risky behavior, and seeking validation from others. They try to appear cool and detached, but deep down, they long for genuine connection and understanding. The verse ends with a mention of Amherst, possibly referring to the emotional numbness the singer feels, disconnected from the world and unable to find clarity amidst the chaos.

Overall, "Growing Up Is Hard" captures the tumultuous journey of transitioning into adulthood, touching on themes of independence, self-discovery, pressure, and the messy reality of making mistakes along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

Threw a mattress on the floor and made a home out of a dorm room
She improvised and created a comfortable living space in her small dormitory room.

She got a credit card in her name to buy what she couldn't afford to
She obtained a credit card to purchase things that were beyond her financial means.

And now she's eighteen, she can barely eat and barely drive
At the age of eighteen, she struggles to afford basic necessities and lacks the resources to travel.

Mind racing, what's the meaning of being alive?
Her thoughts are constantly racing, questioning the purpose and significance of her existence.

I don't blame her for not doing anything she was supposed to
I understand her inaction and don't hold her responsible for not fulfilling societal expectations.

So much for the young and free
The idea of being carefree and full of freedom has proven to be elusive and unattainable.

I know that you feel confused
I acknowledge and understand the confusion she experiences.

I'm sorry that it hurt so much
I apologize for the immense pain she has endured.

Growing up is hard to do
The process of maturing and taking on adult responsibilities is challenging and difficult.

You'll always be a part of me
You will forever hold a special place in my heart and life.

Swear I'll take better care of you
I promise to prioritize your well-being and provide better support.

Rubbing drugs into your gums to prove to your friends that
Using substances in unconventional ways to impress peers and maintain a reputation

You're a good time 'til you're crying in the stairwell
Initially being seen as fun and enjoyable, but eventually breaking down emotionally.

Holding your hair back, wishing you had kept your body to yourself
Regretting not cherishing and reserving one's body for personal fulfillment.

Can't forget the way it felt
The memory of the experience is deeply ingrained and difficult to erase.

You drank yourself dizzy
Consuming alcohol to the point of disorientation and intoxication.

Held in all your secrets
Bottling up and keeping hidden personal thoughts and emotions.

Took off running naked with a handle in your arms
Engaging in reckless behavior while under the influence of alcohol.

Woke up in a fever
Regaining consciousness while experiencing intense physical and emotional distress.

Sweating out your bad decisions
Enduring the consequences and repercussions of poor choices.

Couldn't even see straight, but you still got in the car
Despite impaired judgment, she still proceeded to drive a vehicle.

You tried to be the cool girl
She made efforts to conform and fit in with societal expectations of being popular and desirable.

You know the way that boys are
Having an understanding of boys' tendencies and behaviors.

You just wanna talk but it's your body that he counts
Desiring emotional connection, but feeling objectified and valued solely for physical attributes.

It's snowing up in Amherst
A reference to a specific location, indicating adverse weather conditions.

You don't feel a damn thing
Feeling emotionally numb and detached from one's surroundings and experiences.

Everything's a mess when you got nothing figured out
Life becomes chaotic and overwhelming when one lacks direction and clarity.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Chelsea Emily Cutler

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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