“26” is a semi-autobiographical recount on Lauv’s life and career progression. He sheds light on the “hole in his heart” that he was left with even after writing songs that got big and getting rich, and his struggles with the thought of getting old.
The track was first announced by Lauv via Instagram on January 18th, 2022, as the first single from his upcoming album.
"I wrote 26 about growing up and trying to find your light, the one you lose touch with as you get older. It marks the moment I’m stepping back into the world and taking control of my narrative again."
– Lauv via Broadway World
26
Lauv Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Bout a boy who broke his own heart?
And he always blamed everybody else
But the truth is that he did it to himself
He made a couple songs and they got big
He thought that he could do whatever he wanted
But it all left him with a hole in his heart
But ooh-ooh-ooh, it doesn't buy you time
The more that I get older
The less I wanna be sober
And I can't quit, goddamit
And maybe I'm just broken
And I'll never admit it
But I wish that I was younger
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
How the hell did it come to this?
And I wish I could tell you
Everything is perfect, but it's not
I've been starin' at the ceilin' for like ten days
But I'm pretty sure that I forgot
What it's like to be a person that doesn't think
That everything he does just sucks
Oh, it's so perfect world until it's not
Ooh-ooh-ooh, money buys you happiness
But ooh-ooh-ooh, it doesn't buy you time
The more that I get older
The less I wanna be sober
And I can't quit, goddamit
And maybe I'm just broken
And I'll never admit it
But I wish that I was younger
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
How the hell did it come to this?
The more that I get older
The less I wanna be sober
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
How the hell did it come to this?
In Lauv's song "26," the lyrics tell the story of a boy who is grappling with the consequences of his own actions and insecurities. The boy always blames others for his heartbreak, but deep down, he knows that he is the one responsible for it. The references to the boy making a couple of successful songs and thinking he can do whatever he wants highlight the theme of fame and its potential emptiness. Despite his material wealth, the boy feels a hole in his heart, emphasizing that money cannot buy true happiness or fulfillment.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the singer is struggling with growing older and facing the realities of life. He admits to wanting to escape sobriety, possibly using it as a coping mechanism to navigate his internal struggles. He questions whether he is broken but fears admitting it, preferring to hold onto the nostalgia of youth. The lines "Yeah, 26 and I'm rich, How the hell did it come to this?" reflect a sense of disbelief and confusion at how his life has turned out, hinting at the inevitability of reaching a point in life where success is not necessarily synonymous with happiness. The song highlights the contrast between the image of a perfect world projected to the outside and the underlying complexity and dissatisfaction that lie within.
Line by Line Meaning
Can I tell you a story
May I narrate a tale to you?
'Bout a boy who broke his own heart?
About a young man who shattered his own heart?
And he always blamed everybody else
And he consistently held others responsible
But the truth is that he did it to himself
Though in truth, he inflicted it upon himself
He made a couple songs and they got big
He created a few songs that gained immense popularity
He thought that he could do whatever he wanted
He believed he could partake in any action without consequence
But it all left him with a hole in his heart
Yet, it ultimately left a void within him
Ooh-ooh-ooh, money buys you happiness
Oh, money possesses the ability to purchase joy
But ooh-ooh-ooh, it doesn't buy you time
Alas, it does not procure one more time
The more that I get older
As time progresses
The less I wanna be sober
My desire for clarity diminishes
And I can't quit, goddamit
Yet, I am unable to renounce, damn it
And maybe I'm just broken
And perhaps I am simply shattered
And I'll never admit it
And I shall forever refuse to acknowledge it
But I wish that I was younger
Nevertheless, I yearn to be more youthful
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
Indeed, at twenty-six, I possess wealth
How the hell did it come to this?
How in the world did this come to pass?
And I wish I could tell you
And I yearn to confide in you
Everything is perfect, but it's not
That everything is flawless, yet it is not
I've been starin' at the ceilin' for like ten days
I've been gazing at the ceiling for approximately ten days
But I'm pretty sure that I forgot
Yet, I am quite certain that I have forgotten
What it's like to be a person that doesn't think
The sensation of existing without incessant rumination
That everything he does just sucks
Wherein everything he does appears abysmal
Oh, it's so perfect world until it's not
Ah, a world that seems perfect until it disintegrates
The more that I get older
As time progresses
The less I wanna be sober
My desire for clarity diminishes
And I can't quit, goddamit
Yet, I am unable to renounce, damn it
And maybe I'm just broken
And perhaps I am simply shattered
And I'll never admit it
And I shall forever refuse to acknowledge it
But I wish that I was younger
Nevertheless, I yearn to be more youthful
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
Indeed, at twenty-six, I possess wealth
How the hell did it come to this?
How in the world did this come to pass?
The more that I get older
As time progresses
The less I wanna be sober
My desire for clarity diminishes
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
Indeed, at twenty-six, I possess wealth
How the hell did it come to this?
How in the world did this come to pass?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ari Leff, Jamil George Chamas, Simon Rosen, Johnathan Carter Cunningham, Sophie Cates, Ryan Ogren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Neha Pisal
Lyrics:
Can I tell you a story
'Bout a boy who broke his own heart?
And he always blamed everybody else
But the truth is that he did it to himself
He made a couple songs and they got big
He thought that he could do whatever he wanted
But it all left him with a hole in his heart
Ooh-ooh-ooh, money buys you happiness
But ooh-ooh-ooh, it doesn't buy you time
The more that I get older
The less I wanna be sober
And I can't quit, goddamit
And maybe I'm just broken
And I'll never admit it
But I wish that I was younger
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
How the hell did it come to this?
And I wish I could tell you
Everything is perfect, but it's not
I've been starin' at the ceilin' for like ten days
But I'm pretty sure that I forgot
What it's like to be a person that doesn't think
That everything he does just sucks
Oh, it's so perfect world until it's not
Ooh-ooh-ooh, money buys you happiness
But ooh-ooh-ooh, it doesn't buy you time
The more that I get older
The less I wanna be sober
And I can't quit, goddamit
And maybe I'm just broken
And I'll never admit it
But I wish that I was younger
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
How the hell did it come to this?
The more that I get older
The less I wanna be sober
Yeah, 26 and I'm rich
How the hell did it come to this?
Lauv
So excited to share new music with you!!
Tamago Senpai
I really love your music, you're amazinggg!💛💛💛
Rahul Budhathoki
Thriving for your new drop ❤️💖
예리
hard life -> listen to lauv music
= 💪🏼🥰💪🏼
모든 노래가 좋은 라우브 ,, ❤️_💚
SASHANK
inspired by lany
Sempiterno
Thx Lauv for sharing this beautiful song to us 🥰🥰
Brandon Butch
Lauv never disappoints!
MIANO
yuhs!
Tall Naturally
Omg didn’t expect to see you here 📱
Komaru
Why are u here