When I Grow Up
Mayday Parade/Mayday Parade Lyrics

Boys call you sexy (What's up, sexy)
Young girls are often objectified and sexualized by their peers, and sometimes even older men.

And you don't care what they say
The girl being described is confident and comfortable in her own skin, and doesn't let other people's opinions affect her.

See, every time you turn around
The boys in question are always staring at her and trying to get her attention.

They screamin' your name
The boys are very loud and aggressive in their behavior towards the girl.

Now I've got a confession
The artist is about to reveal a personal story or secret.

When I was young I wanted attention
The singer is admitting to seeking attention and validation when they were younger.

And I promised myself that I'd do anything
The singer was willing to go to extreme lengths to get attention and validation from others.

Anything at all for them to notice me
The artist felt desperate and alone, and was willing to do whatever it took to be seen and heard.

But I ain't complaining
The artist is not complaining about their life or circumstances, despite the challenges they may have faced.

We all wanna be famous
The desire for fame and attention is something that many people can relate to.

So go ahead and say what you wanna say
The singer is encouraging others to express their opinions, even if they are negative.

You know what it's like to be nameless
The artist is implying that the people criticizing them do not understand what it's like to be unknown and unimportant.

Want them to know what your name is
The singer wants to be recognized and acknowledged for who they are, rather than being anonymous and overlooked.

'Cause see when I was younger I would say
The singer is reflecting on their childhood dreams and aspirations.

When I grow up
The phrase 'when I grow up' indicates a future goal or aspiration.

I wanna be famous
The artist's ultimate goal is fame and celebrity status.

I wanna be a star
The artist wants to be a widely recognized and beloved figure.

I wanna be in movies
The singer wants to be an actor in the film industry.

I wanna see the world
The singer wants to travel and experience different cultures and places.

Drive nice cars
The artist wants to have luxury and expensive possessions.

I wanna have groupies
The artist wants to have fans who are devoted to them and follow them around.

Be on TV
The artist wants to appear on television and be a familiar face to many people.

People know me
The singer wants to be well-known and recognized by others.

Be on magazines
The artist wants to be featured in print media and be a prominent figure in popular culture.

Fresh and clean
The singer wants to be stylish, clean, and well-groomed.

Number one boy when I step out on the scene
The singer wants to be the most popular, successful, and revered person in their field or industry.

Be careful what you wish for
The singer is warning that sometimes getting what you want can have negative consequences.

'Cause you just might get it
The artist is emphasizing that sometimes people's dreams and desires come true, and that can be both good and bad.

They used to tell me I was silly
The artist is recalling how others reacted to their dreams and aspirations.

Until I popped up on the TV
The singer is describing how they defied expectations and actually achieved success.

I always wanted to be a superstar
The singer has always had a strong desire to be famous and well-known.

And knew that singing songs would get me this far
The artist has a specific strategy or plan for achieving their dreams, in this case singing.

I see them staring at me
The artist is aware of the attention and scrutiny they receive now that they are famous.

Oh I'm a trendsetter
The artist sees themselves as a unique and influential figure who sets trends and styles.

Yes this is true 'cause what I do, no one can do it better
The singer has confidence in their abilities and believes that they are the best at what they do.

You can talk about me
The artist acknowledges the criticism and negative attention they receive from others.

'Cause I'm a hot topic
The singer understands that their fame and popularity make them an interesting subject for people to discuss and gossip about.

And I know you want it
The singer is aware that many people envy their lifestyle and success, and may secretly desire it for themselves.