When I Grow Up
The Beach Boys Lyrics


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When I grow up to be a man
Will I dig the same things that turn me on as a kid?
Will I look back and say that I wish I hadn't done what I did?
Will I joke around and still dig those sounds
When I grow up to be a man?

Will I look for the same things in a woman that I dig in a girl?
(Fourteen, fifteen)
Will I settle down fast or will I first wanna travel the world?
(Sixteen, seventeen)
When I'm young and free, but how will it be?
When I grow up to be a man?

Will my kids be proud or think their old man is really a square?
(Eighteen, nineteen)
When they're out having fun, yeah, will I still wanna have my share?
(Twenty, twenty-one)
Will I love my wife for the rest of my life?
When I grow up to be a man?

What will I be when I grow up to be a man?

Won't last forever
It's kind of sad




Won't last forever
It's kind of sad

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys’ song “When I Grow Up” is a nostalgic reflection on the uncertainties of youth and the uncertainties surrounding adulthood. The song confronts the singer’s own fears of growing up and the changes that it will bring. The opening verse poses the question of whether or not the things that once brought the singer joy and passion will hold the same significance as he ages. The second verse questions whether he will settle down or continue to travel the world while he’s young and free. The final verse reflects on whether or not the singer’s future children will look up to him, or consider him to be a “square,” and whether he will still try to have fun like he used to when he was young.


The male narrator is in a state of uncertainty while reflecting on his future. He fears disappointment from himself and from others, and he contemplates the reality of aging, of settling down, and of starting a family. He speaks from a place of vulnerability and self-reflection, as he tries to imagine what sort of man he will become. The lyrics are evocative, examining the challenges of the passage of time and how the things that we love and value can change throughout our lives. The melancholic tone underscores the singer’s sense of dread about the future, but also his determination to navigate the obstacles ahead.


Line by Line Meaning

When I grow up to be a man
As I mature and reach adulthood, will I still enjoy the same things I loved as a child?


Will I dig the same things that turn me on as a kid?
Will my passions and interests remain the same as I transition into adulthood?


Will I look back and say that I wish I hadn't done what I did?
Will I regret the decisions I made in my youth and wish I had acted differently?


Will I joke around and still dig those sounds
Will I maintain my sense of humor and continue to enjoy the same music as I grow older?


Will I look for the same things in a woman that I dig in a girl? (Fourteen, fifteen)
As I reach the age of attraction, will I seek out the same qualities in women that I found appealing in girls?


Will I settle down fast or will I first wanna travel the world? (Sixteen, seventeen)
As I approach adulthood, will I prioritize settling down or exploring the world?


When I'm young and free, but how will it be?
As I enjoy my youth and freedom, I wonder how my life will unfold as I grow older and take on more responsibility?


Will my kids be proud or think their old man is really a square? (Eighteen, nineteen)
As I become a father, will my children admire me or view me as outdated and uncool?


When they're out having fun, yeah, will I still wanna have my share? (Twenty, twenty-one)
As my children have fun, will I still desire to have a good time and enjoy life?


Will I love my wife for the rest of my life? When I grow up to be a man?
As I make vows to love my partner forever, I question whether I will be able to fulfill that commitment over the course of my life?


What will I be when I grow up to be a man?
As I continue to mature, I wonder what kind of person I will develop into?


Won't last forever
The time of being young and carefree is fleeting and temporary.


It's kind of sad
While it is natural to age and grow older, there is sadness in the loss of youth and all the possibilities that come with it.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Michael Love, Brian Wilson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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