As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the younger party was in a vulnerable state and had some unresolved issues that the older partner took advantage of. The line "had me in your grip, went beautifully with all my daddy issues" suggests that the older partner manipulated the narrator's insecurities for their own gain.
The chorus of the song contrasts the narrator's youth and innocence with their current age of 29, highlighting the significant age gap between them and their former partner. The line "thought it was a teenage dream, just a fantasy" could imply that the narrator initially believed that the relationship was romantic and exciting, but now realizes that it was exploitative.
Ultimately, the song seems to be about the narrator coming to terms with their past and recognizing the manipulation and abuse they experienced in the relationship. The repeated line "seventeen, twenty-nine" serves as a reminder of the age difference and the power dynamic that existed in the relationship.
29
Demi Lovato Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just five years a bleeder
Student and a teacher
Far from innocent, what the fuck's consent?
Numbers told you not to
But that didn't stop you
Finally twenty-nineFunny, just like you were at the time
Thought it was a teenage dream
Just a fantasy
But was it yours or was it mine?
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Whoa, oh
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Had me in your grip, went beautifully with
All my daddy issues and this shit continues
I see you're quite the collector
Yeah, you're twelve years her elder
Maybe now it doesn't matter
But I know fucking better
Now I know fucking better 'cause I'm
Finally twenty-nine
Funny, just like you were at the time
Thought it was a teenage dream
Just a fantasy
But was it yours or was it mine?
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Whoa, (whoa) oh
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Whoa, (oh) oh
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Finally twenty-nine
Seventeen would never cross my mind
Thought it was a teenage dream, a fantasy
But it was yours, it wasn't mine
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Whoa, oh
In Demi Lovato's song "29," the singer reflects on a past experience where she was involved with someone who was much older than her, and questions the issue of consent in their relationship. The lyrics depict the younger person as a "petal on the vine," not yet old enough to drink wine, but already experiencing the physical effects of menstruation ("five years a bleeder"). The lines "student and a teacher" imply a power dynamic, with the older person taking advantage of their position of authority.
Despite being told that their age difference was inappropriate ("Numbers told you not to"), the older person continued pursuing the relationship. At the time, the younger person thought it was just a "teenage dream" and "fantasy," but now realizes the true nature of the situation. The chorus repeats the ages 17 and 29, calling attention to the significant gap between them.
The lyric "had me in your grip, went beautifully with all my daddy issues" suggests that the older person took advantage of the younger person's vulnerabilities, perhaps due to a troubled family life. The line "maybe now it doesn't matter, but I know fucking better" shows that even though the relationship is in the past, the singer now understands the truth of what happened.
Overall, the lyrics of "29" are a commentary on the issue of consent and power dynamics in relationships, particularly those with significant age gaps. The song serves as a reminder to listeners to be aware of the dynamics of their own relationships and to always prioritize consent.
Line by Line Meaning
Petal on the vine, too young to drink wine
Comparing herself to a delicate flower that has not yet fully matured, too young to indulge in adult pleasures like drinking wine.
Just five years a bleeder
Hitting puberty at the age of 9 or 10, which further emphasizes her young age and vulnerability.
Student and a teacher
She may have been a student, but her experiences with an older man may have taught her more than what any formal education could have.
Far from innocent, what the fuck's consent?
Though she was young, she wasn't completely innocent in her actions with an older man, causing her to question the true meaning of consent and whether or not she fully understood what was happening to her.
Numbers told you not to, but that didn't stop you
Despite the age difference, which society and the law deemed inappropriate, she and the older man continued to engage in their relationship.
Finally twenty-nine, funny, just like you were at the time
Reaching the same age as the older man at the time of their relationship, she reflects on how she may have been fooled by his charm and humor.
Thought it was a teenage dream, just a fantasy
She may have thought her relationship with the older man was a mere teenage fantasy or crush, but looking back she realizes it was much more serious.
But was it yours or was it mine?
Reflecting on the power dynamic and questioning whether the relationship was truly consensual or if the older man took advantage of her youth and vulnerability.
Seventeen, twenty-nine, whoa, oh
Repeating the age difference to emphasize it and make a point.
Had me in your grip, went beautifully with all my daddy issues and this shit continues
The older man may have taken advantage of her familial issues and made her feel like he was the father figure she was missing, continuing their toxic relationship for longer than it should have.
I see you're quite the collector, yeah, you're twelve years her elder
Realizing that she wasn't his only victim and that he may have a pattern of seeking out young, vulnerable girls.
Maybe now it doesn't matter, but I know fucking better
While the older man may have moved on or found other young women to prey on, she knows better now and is conscious of the damage their relationship may have caused her.
Seventeen would never cross my mind
Reflecting on how her younger self may not have realized the gravity of the situation or the potential harm that could have come from this relationship.
But it was yours, it wasn't mine
Confirming that the older man was the one who had power and control in the relationship, and that she was the victim of his actions.
Seventeen, twenty-nine, whoa, oh
Repeating the age difference one last time to drive home the point that it was inappropriate and damaging.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Vincent Niceforo, Demitria Lovato, Keith Roger Sorrells, Laura Jean Veltz, Sean Douglas, Warren Felder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@araflyrics
LYRICS:
Petal on the vine
Too young to drink wine
Just five years of bleeders
Student and a teacher
Far from innocent
What the fuck's consent?
Numbers told you not to
But that didn't stop you
Finally twenty-nine
Funny just like you were at the time
Thought it was a teenage dream, just a fantasy
But was it yours or was it mine?
Seventeen
Twenty-nine
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Seventeen
Twenty-nine
Had me in your grip
Went beautifully with
All my daddy issues
And this shit continues
I see you're quite the collector
Yeah, you're twelve years her elder
Maybe now it doesn't matter
But I know fucking better
Now I know fucking better 'cause I'm
Finally twenty-nine
Funny just like you were at the time
Thought it was a teenage dream, just a fantasy
But was it yours or was it mine?
Seventeen
Twenty-nine
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Seventeen
Twenty-nine
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Seventeen
Twenty-nine
Finally twenty-nine
Seventeen would never cross my mind
Thought it was a teenage dream, a fantasy
But it was yours it wasn't mine
Seventeen, twenty-nine
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
@demilovato
29 is a record about the wisdom that comes with age. 🖤
@pameladavila2939
Fuerza, Demi❤
@musicmix2301
Yess Queen of wisdom after what u have been through
@aiotaabdeljabbar3217
thank you forever besti ☹🖤
@SwagStayStrong
I can believe how much I owe you. Love you, thank you for saving me. ❤ I have no words for this song
@juliagallegos9919
When I got to the same age as him this is exactly how I felt 🖕🏻
@matthewball8147
I am a Dad, I am not in Demi's target market as a 44yr old married man. Came here to hear the song/lyrics from a documentary on the cast of the 70s show. But I sure as hell will use this song in parenting my daughters. Sorry you suffered like this Demi. I hope you heal as much as you can. Thank you for putting this song out there. God bless.
@awniatlas8898
That's exactly how I found this song too
@Low-Key_Awesome
Same 😂
@wolfofgameday8505
this songs gonna go viral after that documentary blows,