Sweet Sixteen
Neil Sedaka Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen

Tonight's the night I've waited for
Because you're not a baby anymore
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen

What happened to that funny face
My little tomboy now wears satins and lace
I can't believe my eyes you're just a teenage dream
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen

When you were only six, I was your big brother
Then when you were ten, we didn't like each other
When you were thirteen, you were my funny valentine
But since you've grown up, your future is sewn up
From now on you're gonna be mine, so

If I should smile with sweet surprise
It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen

If I should smile with sweet surprise
It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen

Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen




Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Happy birthday, sweet sixteen

Overall Meaning

Neil Sedaka's "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" is a beautiful song that celebrates a young girl's journey to womanhood. The song starts off with a catchy tune followed by the lyrics "Happy Birthday, sweet sixteen." Sedaka has been waiting for this night because the girl he has been watching has transformed from a little girl to a beautiful young lady. She is no longer a baby; hence, this day is special.


As the song continues, the lyrics talk about how the girl has changed in terms of appearance and character. Sedaka wonders how the "funny face" he used to see has now turned into beauty. She has switched from being a tomboy to wearing "satins and lace." Sedaka refers to her as a teenage dream, a beautiful girl that he has ever seen. As she turns sixteen, Sedaka reminds her that she is now growing up quickly and the future is bright.


The song's meaning revolves around a girl's growth and how Sedaka feels about it. At the end of the song, he repeats the lyrics "Happy Birthday, sweet sixteen" twice, signifying the importance of the night. The song is a vivid description of the girl's journey and how she has evolved from her early years.


Line by Line Meaning

Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Excitedly celebrating and singing for joy


Happy birthday, sweet sixteen
Wishing a happy birthday to a sixteen-year-old


Tonight's the night I've waited for
Anticipating this momentous occasion


Because you're not a baby anymore
Acknowledging that the recipient is growing up


You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Complimenting the recipient on their appearance


What happened to that funny face
Reminiscing about the recipient's past looks


My little tomboy now wears satins and lace
Noting the recipient's transition to more feminine attire


I can't believe my eyes you're just a teenage dream
Marveling at the recipient's beauty and youth


When you were only six, I was your big brother
Recounting a shared childhood experience


Then when you were ten, we didn't like each other
Admitting to past conflicts in the relationship


When you were thirteen, you were my funny valentine
Reflecting on past romantic feelings


But since you've grown up, your future is sewn up
Expressing confidence in the recipient's future success


From now on you're gonna be mine, so
Stating a strong romantic interest in the recipient


If I should smile with sweet surprise
Acknowledging a pleasant shock at what's happening


It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
Repeating the sentiment of being amazed at the recipient's growth


Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Continuing to celebrate and sing joyfully


Happy birthday, sweet sixteen
Wishing a happy birthday to a sixteen-year-old


Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Continuing to celebrate and sing joyfully


Happy birthday, sweet sixteen
Wishing a happy birthday to a sixteen-year-old


Tra la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Concluding the celebratory song




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@wilsonkurt8562

Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la
Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tonight's the night I've waited for
Because you're not a baby anymore
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday sweet sixteen
What happened to that funny face
My little tomboy now wears satin and lace
I can't believe my eyes you're just a teenage dream
Happy birthday sweet sixteen
When you were only six
I was your big brother
Then when you were ten
We didn't like each other
When you were thirteen
You were my funny valentine
But since you've grown up
Your future is sewn up
From now on you're gonna be mine, so

If I should smile with sweet surprise
It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

If I should smile with sweet surprise
It's just that you've grown up before my very eyes
You've turned into the prettiest girl I've ever seen
Happy birthday sweet sixteen

Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Tra la-la-la-la la-la-la-la Happy birthday sweet sixteen
Songwriters: Sedaka, Neil / Greenfield, Howard
Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group



All comments from YouTube:

@joyciejd9673

When this song came out I was 11 years old and sweet sixteen seemed so far away. Today I turned 67. I still love this song.

@BRENDOWNED

Happy belated birthday!

@tasity1041

Joyce sorrese happy birthday

@dorrisdalorence5114

Happy late bday

@smoothfags20

Same here.

@3bay

AYYY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MI AMIGO!

92 More Replies...

@lainey2637

1980 I turned 16yrs old and absolutely no one in my family remembered it was my birthday 😢 I was so sad lying in bed feeling miserable and unloved and then this song out of nowhere came on the radio singing to me!! I have always loved it since that day ❤

@randyriddle8681

Sorry it is so late….’BUT….HAPPY SWEET 16’….❤️😊!!!!

@hilarybarnes1319

Happy Birthday sweet 16 ❤ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 ❤ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 ❤

@seerstone8982

This song will never get old~Happy Birthday!

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