Denison Witmer (born November 4, 1976, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is an Am… Read Full Bio ↴Denison Witmer (born November 4, 1976, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) is an American indie singer-songwriter. His first release was a cassette in 1995 entitled "My Luck, My Love".

Witmer has released a number of albums (including Recovered), some EPs, and an LP with his side project, The River Bends, in which Witmer plays guitar and sings along with a backup band including members of Philly-based alt-country band One Star Hotel. His 2005 album, Are You A Dreamer?, was produced by mentor Don Peris of The Innocence Mission and featured Asthmatic Kitty artist Sufjan Stevens. It gained rave reviews by such opposite ends of the spectrum as Pitchfork Media and Entertainment Weekly.

Subsequent albums have included "Carry the Weight" (2008), "The Ones Who Wait" (2012), and "Denison Witmer" (2013).

His official website is located at http://www.denisonwitmer.com.

24 Turned 25
Denison Witmer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I see you two times a month
At the bar around town
We have lots of common friends
But we don't talk to much of them

At your apartment it was late
The bus is done but the taxis wait
Should we go down to Second Street?

Or just stay here 'cause that scene's beat?

When 24 turned 25
I heard you tried to take your life, why?
You don't really know
When 24 turned 25
There's so much pressure in these times to be
Something that you don't
When 24 turns 25
You try to hold your head up high, why?
I don't really know
When 24 turns 25

Make this the best time of your life, why?
Well I don't really know

Overall Meaning

Denison Witmer's song "24 Turned 25" is a poignant reflection on how societal expectations and personal struggles can weigh heavily on a person as they transition from their early twenties to their mid-twenties. The song is structured around an encounter between the singer and someone he sees only a few times a month, likely a former friend or acquaintance who he has fallen out of touch with over the years. Throughout the song, the singer reflects on their relationship and the challenges both they and their acquaintance have faced in the passage of time.

The song's first verse describes the singer's casual interactions with this person, illustrating how their lives have drifted apart. They see each other at the bar around town, but don't talk much to the mutual acquaintances they share. The second verse depicts a more intimate moment between the singer and their acquaintance, where they're trying to decide whether to head down to Second Street or stay in. This moment of indecision highlights the underlying uncertainty and anxiety that the singer feels as they approach their late twenties, unsure of what comes next.

The chorus of the song, "When 24 turned 25," is a refrain that speaks to the central theme of the song. It's a time when many people feel pressure to have their lives figured out, to have a steady job and a stable relationship, to be "something that you don't." The lines "I heard you tried to take your life, why?/You don't really know" suggest that this pressure can be overwhelming, and that people may feel like their lives are spiraling out of control. The chorus repeats the phrase "I don't really know," which underscores the singer's uncertainty and confusion as they try to make sense of their own life and their relationship with this acquaintance.

Overall, "24 Turned 25" is a beautifully written and deeply introspective song that captures the struggles of coming of age in a world that demands so much of us. It's a reminder that we're not alone in our struggles, and that sometimes the best we can do is simply be present for one another, without judgment or expectation.

Line by Line Meaning

I see you two times a month
I meet you twice a month

At the bar around town
We usually meet up at any bar nearby

We have lots of common friends
Our friend circle has many similarities

But we don't talk to much of them
However, we don't have many conversations with them

At your apartment it was late
It was late when we were at your place

The bus is done but the taxis wait
The bus service is over but the taxis are still available

Should we go down to Second Street?
Should we go to second street?

Or just stay here 'cause that scene's beat?
Or should we stay here because that scene gets old?

When 24 turned 25
When someone is 24 and turns 25

I heard you tried to take your life, why?
I heard that you attempted suicide, why?

You don't really know
You don't really have a reason