When I Grow Up
Gran Torino Lyrics
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Lips are loose brain clenched tight
Twenty-four turns eighteen
Weightless on a tired scene
Same sound, same feel and frame
Are you unreal about appeal
Starting to wane
(chorus)
I'll start feeling younger
(When I grow up)
No more will I owe
(When I grow up)
Sister I won't lean on
(When I grow up)
I'll go with the flow
Habit forming late night wrecks
Shallow time consumes the check
Surrounded by love not returned
Pressure button glows
And the band plays burn
To stop, or question why
Takes the fun out of living a lie
(chorus)
The lyrics of Gran Torino's song "When I Grow Up" speak to the struggle of transitioning from young adulthood into a more mature state. The opening lines of "brazen days and frightful nights, lips are loose brain clenched tight" set the tone for a turbulent and uncertain time. The singer is aging from 24 to 18 but feels "weightless on a tired scene," trapped in a loop of same sounding and feeling experiences. This frustration with the status quo is further emphasized in the line "starting to wane."
The chorus serves as a declaration of hope and determination to break away from the monotony of adulthood. The singer says that "when I grow up, I'll start feeling younger," which could be interpreted as a desire to rediscover a childlike sense of wonder and free-spiritedness. They also promise to not owe anything, to not lean on their sister, and to go with the flow. This can be seen as a rejection of societal expectations and the pressure to conform to certain roles and responsibilities.
The second verse continues with the theme of dissatisfaction with one's life. The singer describes "habit forming late night wrecks" and shallow time consuming their paycheck. They feel surrounded by love that is not returned and are left questioning why they continue to live a lie rather than stopping or questioning their situation. Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of someone who is struggling to find their place in the world and is fighting against the weight of societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Brazen days and frightful nights
Bold and daring during the day, but scared and fearful at night
Lips are loose brain clenched tight
Talking without thinking or honesty, while internally stressing
Twenty-four turns eighteen
Feeling youthful despite age and life experience
Weightless on a tired scene
Feeling insignificant within a monotonous existence
Same sound, same feel and frame
Stagnation within everyday life
Are you unreal about appeal
Questioning if the admiration or attention is genuine
Starting to wane
Fading or losing interest in current lifestyle or habits
When I grow up
I'll start feeling younger
(When I grow up)
No more will I owe
(When I grow up)
Sister I won't lean on
(When I grow up)
I'll go with the flow
Looking forward to a change in attitude and lifestyle
Habit forming late night wrecks
Negative impacts from continuing bad habits
Shallow time consumes the check
Wasted time or money
Surrounded by love not returned
Offering love without receiving it in return
Pressure button glows
And the band plays burn
Stress builds up and it feels like life is falling apart
To stop, or question why
Takes the fun out of living a lie
Avoiding self-reflection or doubt to maintain a comfortable but unfulfilling existence
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SENTRELLE CONERLY, DAVID KNIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind