16 Candles
Johnny Maestro formerly of The Crests Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Happy birthday, happy birthday, baby
Oh, I love you so

Sixteen candles make a lovely light
But not as bright as your eyes tonight (as your eyes tonight) (Oh)
Blow out the candles, make your wish come true
For I'll be wishing that you love me, too (that you love me, too)
You're only sixteen (sixteen)
But you're my teenage queen (you're my queen)
You're the prettiest, loveliest girl I've ever seen (I've ever seen) (OH!)
Sixteen candles in my heart will glow
For ever and ever for I love you so (for I love you so)
You're only sixteen (sixteen)
But you're my teenage queen (you're my queen)
Oh, you're the prettiest, loveliest girl I've ever seen (I've ever seen)
Sixteen candles in my heart will glow




For ever and ever for I love you so (for I love you so)
For I love you so!

Overall Meaning

"16 Candles" is a love song that expresses the romantic feelings of a teenage boy for a girl on her 16th birthday. The song starts with a repetition of the phrase "Happy birthday, happy birthday, baby" followed by the declaration of love: "Oh, I love you so". The boy then compares the beauty of the sixteen candles to the brightness of the girl's eyes tonight. He encourages her to blow out the candles and make a wish, while he himself wishes for her love in return. The boy declares the girl his "teenage queen" and the prettiest, loveliest girl he has ever seen. He assures her that the sixteen candles in his heart will continue to glow forever and ever, as he loves her so much.


Line by Line Meaning

Happy birthday, happy birthday, baby
Wishing you a happy birthday, my dear.


Oh, I love you so
Expressing my deep love for you.


Sixteen candles make a lovely light
The candles on your cake create a beautiful glow.


But not as bright as your eyes tonight (as your eyes tonight) (Oh)
Your eyes are shining brighter than any candle ever could.


Blow out the candles, make your wish come true
Make a wish and blow out the candles.


For I'll be wishing that you love me, too (that you love me, too)
I am also wishing that you will return my love.


You're only sixteen (sixteen)
You are young and full of life.


But you're my teenage queen (you're my queen)
You are the queen of my heart, despite your young age.


You're the prettiest, loveliest girl I've ever seen (I've ever seen) (OH!)
You are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on.


Sixteen candles in my heart will glow
My love for you will burn bright forever.


For ever and ever for I love you so (for I love you so)
My love for you is everlasting and unwavering.


For I love you so!
I cannot express enough how much I love you.




Writer(s): Luther Dixon, Allyson Khent

Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@joetomasello3746

Had my first kiss 💋 to this song!!

@katherinegates1559

💞 Thank you so much for all of the Wonderful memories....💞 They will remain in our hearts Forever.😘

@katheestaton3736

One of the greatest songs!

@susanadams7704

Johnny Maestro had one of the best voices EVER

@TheSparklingwine

Memories ♥️🌹🌹🌹🎶🎶💃💃

@roxannebrewster3877

❤️❤️❤️

@alicestanford9873

Great voice and group.

@kajsaarinen6957

Uuuuh..baby😘❤️❤️

@RandyR

Seen them live many times. Have the entire band autographs

@amberm8525

It's currently 12:31 am, June 7th 2020 and I'm it's my 16th birthday today. Never felt more alone, can't remember the last time I smiles but this song, oh this song has always been one of my favorites and I remember when I was little I wanted to dance to this song with my dad in my 16th birthday...we haven't spoken in months but this song it's emotionally moving and I can't really remember why I wasn't...am not so happy but this song it makes me happy on my 16th birthday today.

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