When I Grow Up
Pussycat Dolls ft Diddy Lil Wayne Fatman Scoop & producer Rodney Darkchild Jerkins Lyrics
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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
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
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 © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SENTRELLE CONERLY, DAVID KNIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind