When We Were Young
Hillsburn Lyrics

The lyrics of Hillsburn's song "When We Were Young" reflect on how life can feel like a missed opportunity. The song is built around the contrasting memories of youth and the present moment, with a sense of youthful wonder giving way to a more cynical, resigned tone. The opening lines of the song, "I'm pretty sure I will never be the king of some great nation / I'm pretty sure you will never fly a rocket 'round the sun," set the tone of uncertainty towards achieving greatness in life. As we grow older, we become more aware of our limitations and the unlikely prospects of achieving our dreams. The nostalgic hook "When we were young, when we were young / The whole world hung like fruit for the taking" encapsulates the wistfulness many feel for the time in their lives when anything seemed possible.

The song then shifts the focus to the challenges of the present. Lines like "Well, it's harder, I guess, doing your best / When you're under duress / You hollow your chest just to better digest / The fact that you're wasting your life" express the difficulty of trying to make something of oneself while under pressure. The singer feels like they are just going through the motions of life by putting on a tie every morning, in contrast to the inability to learn a new language or understand the actions of their father. The chorus repeats twice with the same invocation of youth, accompanied by the realization of the unattainability in the present. The song ends with a reference to the boundless energy of one's youth, with the memory of screaming and running just because it felt good.

Overall, "When We Were Young" is a melancholic anthem for those who feel like they missed out on youth's promise. It reminds listeners to take hold of what's in the present and try to make the best of it, even if it doesn't feel as magical as those remembered "fruitful" days.