1517
The Whitest Boy Alive Lyrics


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Hey, you, we just got started,
You can't end this now.
Hey, you, we just got started,
You can't end this now.
You've paid your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?
You've paid your dues, you're free,
Of what are you afraid?

Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no

People in northern Europe since medieval times,
We find it hard to deal with when our dreams come true
As if happiness exists in the world at a fixed amount,
And if you feel up, somebody somewhere else feels down

Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no




Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no

Overall Meaning

The Whitest Boy Alive's song "1517" tells a tale of responsibility, fear, and freedom. The repeated phrase "Hey, you, we just got started, you can't end this now" suggests that the singer is encouraging someone not to give up on something they've just begun. This is followed by the lines, "You've paid your dues, you're free, of what are you afraid?" which could be interpreted as a reassurance that the person has already worked hard and accomplished something, so there's no reason to be afraid of moving forward. However, the final verse shifts the focus to a larger societal issue. The lines "People in northern Europe since medieval times, we find it hard to deal with when our dreams come true. As if happiness exists in the world at a fixed amount, and if you feel up, somebody somewhere else feels down" allude to the idea that people in wealthy countries may struggle to fully appreciate their good fortune because they worry about taking away from someone else. This is a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and the need to consider the impact of our actions on others.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, you, we just got started,
Don't give up now, we've barely begun.


You can't end this now.
You can't quit before we've even had a chance to succeed.


You've paid your dues, you're free,
You've fulfilled your obligations and now you're free to pursue your dreams.


Of what are you afraid?
Don't let fear hold you back from achieving your goals.


Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Accepting responsibility comes with its own burden.


Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
True freedom means being able to say 'no' to things that don't align with your goals.


People in northern Europe since medieval times,
Since medieval times, people in northern Europe have struggled with the concept of happiness.


We find it hard to deal with when our dreams come true
Sometimes it's difficult to accept when things go our way.


As if happiness exists in the world at a fixed amount,
We often view happiness as a scarce resource that can only be divvied up among a limited number of people.


And if you feel up, somebody somewhere else feels down
We might feel guilty or selfish for experiencing happiness when we know others are struggling.


Taking on responsibility knowing it will weigh you down
Again, accepting responsibility is not always easy, but it's necessary for growth.


Freedom is a possibility only if you're able to say no
Reiterating the idea that true freedom is the ability to choose your own path and say 'no' to things that don't align with that path.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL NENTWIG, ERLEND OTRE OEYE, MARCIN TADEUSZ OEZ, SEBASTIAN MASCHAT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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