Never Grow Up
Taylor Swift (泰勒絲) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in and turn on your favorite nightlight
To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have honey
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No one will desert you
Just try to never grow up
Never grow up
You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At fourteen, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out
Someday and call your own shots
But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older too
And don't lose the way that you dance around in your p.j.s getting ready for school
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple
And no one's ever burned you
Nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to
Just try to never grow up
Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs
I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone
So here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my nightlight on
Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up
Oh I don't wanna grow up
Wish I'd never grown up
Could still be little
Oh I don't wanna grow up
Wish I'd never grown up
It could still be simple
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And even though you want to
Please try to never grow up
Don't you ever grow up
Just never grow up
The song "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift explores the precious and fleeting nature of childhood. In the first verse, Swift sings about her child, who is sleeping soundly with his small hands wrapped around her finger. She describes how her child finds everything funny and has nothing to regret, which is precisely how she wishes he could stay forever. She wants him to never grow up, wanting to preserve his innocence and simplicity because she knows that eventually, he will be exposed to a more complicated and often cruel world. Swift recognizes the importance of protecting her child and never allowing anyone to hurt him or break his heart, promising to be his constant source of support.
In the second verse, Swift talks about driving her fourteen-year-old child to the movies and observing how he is becoming more independent and eager to move out. She reminds him not to take his mother for granted, as she, too, is getting older. Swift encourages him to hold onto those small moments of childhood, like dancing around in his pajamas or singing his favorite songs with his siblings. She advises him to take mental snapshots of his childhood room and remember the sound of his father's footsteps, recognizing the bittersweet feeling that everything he has now will one day be gone.
The chorus repeats the message of the song, a plea for her child to never grow up and to stay this little forever. Swift wants her child to always be protected from the harsh realities of the world, and she recognizes that growing up means facing those realities sooner or later. Overall, "Never Grow Up" is a touching tribute to the transience of childhood, urging the listener to treasure every moment and never take their innocence for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
Your little hands wrapped around my finger
You holding onto me with your little hands and relying on me for protection
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Everything is calm and peaceful, just the two of us
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
You're sleeping soundly and peacefully
So I tuck you in and turn on your favorite nightlight
I make sure you're comfortable and safe, and leave a warm light on for you
To you, everything's funny
You find joy and humor in everything around you
You got nothing to regret
You haven't experienced enough in life to have regrets about anything
I'd give all I have honey
I would do anything for you, my dear
If you could stay like that
If only you could stay this innocent and carefree forever
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Please don't grow up and lose your innocence and joy
Just stay this little
Stay small and innocent, and don't let the world change you
It could stay this simple
Life could stay easy and carefree if you don't change too much
I won't let nobody hurt you
I promise to protect you from anyone who tries to harm you
Won't let no one break your heart
I'll do my best to shield you from heartbreak and pain
No one will desert you
I will always be here for you, you'll never be alone
Just try to never grow up
Please try not to change too much, and stay true to yourself
You're in the car on the way to the movies
You're growing up and becoming more independent
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
You're embarrassed by your parents and don't want them around
At fourteen, there's just so much you can't do
At this age, there are many things that you're not yet allowed to do
And you can't wait to move out
You can't wait to gain full independence and live on your own
Someday and call your own shots
You want to have control over your own life and make your own decisions
But don't make her drop you off around the block
Don't push your parents away, appreciate their support and love
Remember that she's getting older too
Your parents are aging and also need your love and care
And don't lose the way that you dance around in your p.j.s getting ready for school
Don't lose your childlike spirit and enthusiasm for life
Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Remember the details of your childhood and cherish them
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the sounds and memories of your family coming together
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
Remember the little moments with your loved ones that become memories
And all your little brother's favorite songs
Remember the small and special things that make every relationship unique
I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone
Realizing the fleeting nature of life and how nothing is forever
So here I am in my new apartment
I'm now an adult and living on my own
In a big city, they just dropped me off
I'm adjusting to the changes and challenges of adulthood
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
The world can be harsh and difficult compared to the innocent life of childhood
Wish I'd never grown up
Sometimes I wish I could go back to the simplicity and happiness of childhood
Oh I don't wanna grow up
The process of growing up can be scary and overwhelming
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAYLOR SWIFT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BigRockyGaming
“Wish I’d never grown up”
Also makes me cry as I realize that I’ve entered a scary world already. I may have mom around me at school (9th grade English and I’m 11th grade). I had never had my heartbroken or any of that shit. Definitely no painful experiences. Now it feels like she’s giving the advice I need now as I am almost to college.
“I don’t wanna grow up”
This also hits different. I never understood it when I first heard it. Now I completely understand it and wish that I could just stop time and stay in high with my friends forever.
To anybody in school reading this, especially early grades, savor every moment. It wont last forever 😫
@chadwebb5698
HOW has she always been such an AMAZING songwriter?… seemingly every type of music. But this one hits different now that i’m older. Hitting all phases of life… a mother or father speaking to their child… “Don’t you ever grow up…” to now looking at one’s own life as an adult, “I wish I’d never grown up”.
Living life NOW and yet MISSING your past. Sooo simple yet so complicated. A bittersweet mystery to life. Honestly… brings so many feelings… oh I’m such a overly open and emotional male. A for sure empath.
I “feel this” as a child… my mom telling me to “never grow up.”
I “feel this” as an adult… happily married and with three amazing children… and still wishing I’d “never grown up.”
I “feel this” as a parent now… just pleading with my own children to “never grow up.”
Is it “normal” for a guy to be so up in his “feels”? 🤷♂️😂💙
@stefann0808
💜Lyrics💜
[Verse 1]
Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favourite nightlight
[Pre-Chorus]
To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that
[Chorus]
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up
[Post-Chorus]
Never grow up
[Verse 2]
You're in the car, on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At fourteen, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots
[Pre-Chorus]
But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's gettin' older, too
And don't lose the way that you dance around
In your PJs getting ready for school
[Chorus]
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
No one's ever burned you
Nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to
Just try to never grow up
[Bridge]
Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs
I just realized everything I have is, someday, gonna be gone
[Verse 3]
So, here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder than I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my nightlight on
[Chorus]
Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up
Oh, I don't wanna grow up
Wish I'd never grown up, I could still be little
Oh, I don't wanna grow up
Wish I'd never grown up, it could still be simple
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh, darlin', don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you (Never grow up)
Won't let no one break your heart
And even though you want to
Please, try to never grow up
[Outro]
Oh, oh (Never grow up)
Don't you ever grow up
Oh (Never grow up)
Just never grow up
@emmafletcher5313
as a senior in high school I don’t think i’ve ever cried more to a song! I love how her song writing can capture so many emotions💜
@parker.e
Same it hurts so much every time 🥲
@InternetFad
it's weird, because once upon a time I was a senior in high school crying to this song.
@OneofStarkskids
me too 😭
@ClarissaRose
I love that about her music too it is so trueeeee!!!!! that's also part of why I love Speak Now the most out of every album because there are SO many emotions and scenarios and feelings all throughout the whole thing!!!!
@bethswiftie
Junior here, same
@alexcreamer1407
As a 25 year old. This song hit me hard as a teenager but now…. I’m SOBBING! You never truly appreciate being little until it’s gone… 😭
@anitazulrakhmida
I feel you😢
@giulia6344
Wish I’d never grown up it could still be simple 😭😭😭
@kstezewski
I'm 25 too and I wish I could hug you