Throughout the song she delivers a gut-wrenching expression of the terror that many graduates feel, as they are thrown into the beginning of their adult lives, having to find their own way in the world.
Class of 2013
Mitski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I sleep in your house tonight?
Mom, is it alright
If I stay for a year or two?
Mom, I'll be quiet
It would be just to sleep at night
And I'll leave once I figure out
Mom, would you wash my back?
This once, and then we can forget
And I'll leave what I'm chasing
For the other girls to pursue
Mom, am I still young?
Can I dream for a few months more?
The lyrics to Mitski's song Class of 2013 speak to the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity that many young adults experience as they navigate the transition into adulthood. The singer, perhaps fresh out of college and facing the daunting prospect of finding a job and supporting themselves, turns to their mother for comfort and support. The repeated pleas to "sleep in your house tonight" and "stay for a year or two" reveal a deep-seated fear of independence and a desire to cling to the safety and familiarity of childhood.
The line "And I'll leave once I figure out how to pay for my own life too" speaks to the pressure that young people face to succeed in a world that often feels stacked against them. The singer recognizes that they can't rely on their mother forever, but they also don't yet feel equipped to tackle the challenges of adult life on their own.
The later lines, where the singer asks their mother to wash their back and wonders if they're still young enough to dream, hint at a deeper emotional immaturity and a reluctance to fully embrace the responsibilities of adulthood. Ultimately, the song captures the complex mix of fear, uncertainty, and hope that characterizes this period of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mom, I'm tired
Requesting to stay overnight due to exhaustion.
Can I sleep in your house tonight?
Asking permission to sleep in mother's house.
Mom, is it alright
Seeking confirmation from mother.
If I stay for a year or two?
Asking permission to stay for an extended period.
Mom, I'll be quiet
Promising to be quiet during the stay.
It would be just to sleep at night
Clarifying the reason for the stay.
And I'll leave once I figure out
Promise to leave once the situation improves.
How to pay for my own life too
Expressing intention to become self-sufficient.
Mom, would you wash my back?
Asking mother for a small favor.
This once, and then we can forget
Promising to reciprocate and offer assistance later.
And I'll leave what I'm chasing
Abandoning current pursuits.
For the other girls to pursue
Leaving opportunities for others.
Mom, am I still young?
Questioning if there is still time for certain pursuits.
Can I dream for a few months more?
Asking for more time to pursue personal dreams.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MITSUKI LAYCOCK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deathofaclown
Mom, I'm tired
Can I sleep in your house tonight?
Mom, is it alright
If I stay for a year or two?
Mom, I’ll be quiet
It would be just to sleep at night
And I’ll leave once I figure out
How to pay for my own life too
Mom, would you wash my back?
This once, and then we can forget
And I’ll leave what I’m chasing
For the other girls to pursue
Mom, am I still young?
Can I dream for a few months more?
@trash_kingg4788
I'm still in high school, but sometimes it still catches me by surprise that I am getting so close to adulthood. It scares me. I rather be 13 again and not have to deal with all the shit that happens and will happen. Especially this year, nobody was prepared for this virus. Not the government. Not the citizens. Not anyone. It just feels like life just hit the pause button.
I have a passion. But I am really cut out for it? Will I make a dent in this world, even if I work tirelessly day in and out? Will I just be a passing blip in existence? Does anything I do make any difference?
I have people who rely on me, who have expectations for me. Will I ever be able to make it up to them?
Am I existing for myself or others.
I dont know.
What I do know, is life will have to go on.
I dont have my answers, not yet. Maybe never.
And that is what terrifies me the most.
@BriarMB13
Hey, I don't have many words of comfort or reassurance but I want to let you know that you aren't alone in that.
Those overwhelming existential thoughts and feels are hard enough as is to deal with as is, and now you have an international, cultural trauma to navigate on top of all of it. It's Rough, and it's going to stay rough for a while.
But there is hope.
A few years from now you'll be sitting down to do something and realize that you have a routine, with people who know you because you've had an impact on their lives by just existing, with a food you enjoy making, a new song you can't stop singing, a certain route you like to walk or bus or bike or drive, a dog who you've seen enough times to be excited to see you again. Someone will pass you by the street as you laugh and think about your smile for the rest of their day, and the world will continue to turn. You'll be fighting hard to push for what you believe in, and some days, fight just to exist.
Right now, sitting in your house among all the chaos of the world you probably feel like you're going to implode from all the stress. But I want you to take a deep breath.
This has been done by many before you, this will be done by many after you, and right now? Your job is to fight tooth and nail to remind yourself that your life is worth living, that you deserve some self kindness. Learning how to do that Now will help you deal with other big stuff in the future.
We'll get through this, okay kid? It'll be hard, but we'll get through this bullshit together.
@trash_kingg4788
@@BriarMB13
Thank you.
I can't express much gratitude from a screen. However, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to comfort a stranger. I honestly wrote my original comment, while having a mental breakdown. Right now, I'm doing better and admittedly seeing your comment brought a smile to my face.
Even so, as of now those questions are still in the back of my head.
Although, you are completely right. What is life without the strife? If there were no failures, we would not have accomplishments.
That doesn't make it any less painful;
I guess that's what reminds us that we are alive and here, right?
We will have people who love us and who we will love back. That routine we follow, that we expect to never fall apart. When it does, we can either decide to break with it or to fight "tooth and nail". I think I like the latter better.
Again, thank you. You didn't have to reply to this vent, but you did and I really appreciate your kindness.
I hope you have a great day/night!
@pollypolly69
C G
Mom, I'm tired
Am F
Can I sleep in your house tonight?
C G
Mom, is it alright
Am G
If I stay for a year or two?
Verse 2:
C G
Mom, I’ll be quiet
Am F
It would be just to sleep at night
Am G
And I’ll leave once I figure out
F G C
How to pay for my own life too
Chorus:
C G
Mom, would you wash my back?
Am F
This once, and then we can forget
C G
And I’ll leave what I’m chasing
F C
For the other girls to pursue
Bridge:
G Am G F
Outro:
C G
Mom, am I still young?
F G C
Can I dream for a few months more?
@justnobody4023
"Mom, am I still young? Can I dream for a few months more?" That line... I hate growing up
@sofiacerasoli
I started crying when I heard that, I’m still pretty young but that hurt I hate growing up
@sunflower0243
I'm 18 and I've wasted my life
@noahk2239
yeah, i’m the youngest out of my three brothers and she told me to take care of them when she’s gone, i also grew up pretty fast and just hearing that from my mother hurts me so much, she’s not there for me but when i’m mean to her i feel awful, she’s always distant and i always seemed to hate her for that, but at the same time i don’t know what to do when she’s gone
@user-sv8ww1se2t
@@sunflower0243 we still have time,work now to enjoy later...or something like that.
It's hard but i guess it should be worth it.
@empm
i dont wanna grow up, im scared
@GeneseChannel
im scared of growing up
@wolfie1703
same. i dont want to be an adult.
@nemi7578
Me to you arent alone
@j-e-rr-y_4075
You never really grow up, its just change your scared of.