I'm 20
Frankie Cosmos Lyrics


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I'm 20

washed up already

I'd sell my soul for a free pen

on it the name of your corporation
ooooh ooooh

If by some chance you know

what is cool, tell me how

I wanna be just how you

would imagine me to





ooooh ooooh

Overall Meaning

The song “I’m 20” by Frankie Cosmos expresses a feeling of disillusionment and insecurity that many young people experience in their early adulthood. The opening line “I’m 20” creates an immediate sense of vulnerability and uncertainty about the future. The line “washed up already” suggests that at the age of only twenty, the singer feels as though they have already missed their chance to be successful, which is a common thought pattern among young people who feel pressure to achieve in a specific timeline.


The next line “I’d sell my soul for a free pen” implies that the singer is aware of the corrupt nature of capitalism and is willing to compromise their values for a small material gain. The line “on it the name of your corporation” speaks to the idea of being a walking advertisement for a company, which many young people feel like they have to do in order to be successful.


The chorus of the song “ooooh ooooh” is repetitive and creates a sense of longing and despair. The line “If by some chance you know what is cool, tell me how” shows that the singer is desperate for validation and acceptance from others. The final line “I wanna be just how you would imagine me to” speaks to the idea of striving for perfection and living up to other people’s expectations, which has become increasingly prevalent in the age of social media.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm 20
I have reached the age of twenty years old.


washed up already
I feel like I have already lost my value or potential.


I'd sell my soul for a free pen
I am willing to do almost anything for the smallest of rewards.


on it the name of your corporation
I am easily influenced by corporate branding and advertising.


ooooh ooooh
I express a sense of longing or frustration.


If by some chance you know
If there is anyone who has knowledge or insight that I lack,


what is cool, tell me how
I want them to share their opinions with me because I am unsure of what is trendy or fashionable.


I wanna be just how you
I aspire to be like them or conform to their standards.


would imagine me to
I want to live up to their expectations or ideals of me.


ooooh ooooh
I express a sense of longing or frustration.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Greta Kline

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

A very normal potato

I'm 19 so close

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