When I Grow Up
Pussycat Dolls ft Diddy Lil Wayne Fatman Scoop Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name

Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around

They screaming your name

Now I've got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I'd do anything
Anything at all for them to notice me

But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say

You don't know what its like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
'Cause see when I was younger I would say

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
Cuz you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

They used to tell me I was silly
Until I popped up on the TV
I always wanted to be a superstar
And knew that singing songs would get me this far

But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say

You don't know what its like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
'Cause see when I was younger I would say

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

I see them staring at me
Ooh I'm a trendsetter
Yes this is true 'cause what I do
No one can do it better

You can talk about me
'Cause I'm a hot topic
I see you watching me watching me
And I know you want it, oh

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies

When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies

When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines

When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it

Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it

You just might get it
You just might get it

Overall Meaning

The Pussycat Dolls’ “When I Grow Up” is a song about wanting fame and recognition. The song begins with a repetition of the phrase “boys call you sexy, and you don't care what they say” which seems to suggest the power dynamic between men and women. The female protagonist is in control and is not bothered by male attention. The flashback of the singer revealing wanting attention when she was younger is a common sentiment; many people desire attention and recognition. The phrase “we all wanna be famous” echoes this sentiment.

The chorus highlights the singer’s ambitions: “When I grow up, I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star, I wanna be in movies.” These desires reflect the glamour and allure of fame; the idea of being able to see the world, drive nice cars, and have groupies. The singer wants to be recognized and known; “people know me, be on magazines, number one chick when I step out on the scene” highlights her desire to be popular and desired. However, the song also has a warning; “be careful what you wish for, ‘cause you just might get it” highlights the dangers and pitfalls of fame.

Overall, “When I Grow Up” is a song about the desire for fame and recognition, and the costs and benefits of such a desire. It is a commentary on the allure of fame and the dangers that may come with it.

Line by Line Meaning

Boys call you sexy
Boys find you attractive and desirable

And you don't care what they say
You are confident and self-assured

See every time you turn around
Wherever you go or whatever you do

They screaming your name
Boys are constantly calling out to you and trying to get your attention

Now I've got a confession
I have something to admit

When I was young I wanted attention
I craved attention and recognition when I was younger

And I promised myself that I'd do anything
I made a commitment to myself that I would do anything to become famous

Anything at all for them to notice me
Anything that would bring me recognition and fame

But I ain't complaining
I am not complaining

We all wanna be famous
We all desire fame and recognition

So go ahead and say what you wanna say
Say what you like, I don't care

You don't know what its like to be nameless
You have no idea what it's like to be unknown and unrecognized

Want them to know what your name is
I want people to know who I am

'Cause see when I was younger I would say
Because when I was younger this was my dream

When I grow up
In the future

I wanna be famous
I want to be a celebrity

I wanna be a star
I want to be recognized as a major talent

I wanna be in movies
I want to act in films

I wanna see the world
I want to travel and explore new places

Drive nice cars
I want to own and drive expensive cars

I wanna have groupies
I want to have fans and admirers

Be on TV
I want to appear on television

People know me
I want to be recognized and remembered by others

Be on magazines
I want to appear on the covers of magazines

Fresh and clean
Looking and feeling great

Number one chick
The most successful and popular woman

When I step out on the scene
When I am in the public eye

Be careful what you wish for
You should be cautious about what you desire

Cuz you just might get it
Because you may achieve your dreams but find that they are not all you expected

They used to tell me I was silly
People used to dismiss and belittle me

Until I popped up on the TV
Until I became famous and appeared on television

I always wanted to be a superstar
I dreamed of being a major celebrity

And knew that singing songs would get me this far
I knew that being a singer would help me achieve my dreams

I see them staring at me
I notice people looking at me

Ooh I'm a trendsetter
I am innovative and unique, setting new trends

Yes this is true 'cause what I do
This is true because of my unique and creative approach

No one can do it better
No one can do what I do as well as I do it

You can talk about me
You can gossip and criticize me

'Cause I'm a hot topic
Because I am a popular and frequently discussed subject

And I know you want it, oh
I know that you want what I have

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SENTRELLE CONERLY, DAVID KNIGHT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS