Nineteen
Thin Lizzy Lyrics


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You want it rough?
You got it rough
You want it tough?
I'm tough
You want it mean?
I'm mean
I'm bad
Nineteen

You wanna dance?
No chance!
You wanna go-go?
Go slow
You wanna lean, mean machine?
I'm bad
At nineteen

And you wanna go?
Sometimes you slip away
You gotta go?
Well I know that you know that I know

You want it rough?
I'm rough
You want it tough?
I'm tough
You want it mean, mean, mean, mean, mean?
I'm bad
Nineteen

You wanna dance?
No chance!
You wanna go-go?
Go slow
You wanna lean,
I mean
I'm bad
Nineteen

And you wanna go?
Sometimes you slip away
You gotta go?
Well I know that you know that I know

You want it rough?
You got it rough
You want it tough, tough, tough?
You want it mean, mean machine?
I'm bad
Nineteen
I'm bad
At nineteen
Oh yeah
Nineteen

Nineteen

Nineteen

Nineteen

Same thing every day
You get up and you?
?
Object over rule





They tell you everything's a holiday
?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song “Nineteen” by Thin Lizzy appear to talk about a young man or woman, who is in their teenage years and trying to navigate their way through life. The opening lines of the song suggest that this person is looking for a tough or rough lifestyle, and they are willing to take on any challenges that come their way. The lyrics continue to illustrate that the person is rebellious and is not interested in conforming to social norms. They don't want to dance or go-go, which could be interpreted as not being interested in typical teenage activities.


The line "sometimes you slip away, you gotta go? well, I know that you know that I know" suggests that the person is unpredictable and has a tendency to disappear. The repeated chorus “Nineteen” suggests that this person is still young and learning, seeking adventure or thrills, and has yet to settle down.


The lyrics of “Nineteen” are ambiguous, and it is not clear what the song is actually about. The vague and open-ended lyrics mean that the interpretation of the song changes depending on the listener. Some listeners might interpret the song as a celebration of youth and rebellion, while for others, it could be a commentary on the difficulties of adolescence.


Line by Line Meaning

You want it rough?
Do you desire an intense, unpolished experience?


You got it rough
Your wish for an unrefined and unpolished experience has been granted


You want it tough?
Are you in search of a demanding challenge?


I'm tough
I am well equipped to provide you with the challenge you seek


You want it mean?
Are you looking for someone with a harsh and unpleasant demeanor?


I'm mean
I portray an unfriendly and unkind demeanor


I'm bad
I am skilled and proficient


Nineteen
I am young and energetic


You wanna dance?
Do you want to dance?


No chance!
That's not an option


You wanna go-go?
Do you want to go somewhere exciting?


Go slow
However, take your time and savor the opportunities you have


You wanna lean, mean machine?
Do you want someone who is fit, fast and robust?


I'm bad
I am well-equipped to match that criterion


At nineteen
Being young and energetic places me at the prime of these characteristics


And you wanna go?
Are you considering going somewhere?


Sometimes you slip away
However, on occasions, you tend to disappear or become distracted


You gotta go?
Are you leaving or do you want to?


Well I know that you know that I know
I understand that you're aware of my comprehension regarding your situation.


You want it mean, mean, mean, mean, mean?
Do you desire someone's unkind, unpleasant behavior repeatedly and relentlessly?


You wanna dance?
Do you want to dance?


No chance!
That's not on the table


You wanna go-go?
Are you eager to go somewhere exciting?


Go slow
Still, it is ideal for you to take your time and enjoy those times


You wanna lean,
Do you want to lean on someone?


I mean
Each time you rely on me, it reminds me of my capabilities


I'm bad
I am well-equipped to remain strong and perform well even under difficult circumstances


Nineteen
Being young and spirited allows me to stay agile and alert at all times


Sometimes you slip away
At times, you tend to get distracted and disappear


You gotta go?
Do you want to go or leave?


Well I know that you know that I know
I understand that you are aware that I understand your position


You want it rough?
Do you want the experience to be intense and challenging?


You got it rough
This sought after rigorous and challenging individual is here


You want it tough, tough, tough?
Do you seek a repeatedly intense and challenging experience?


You want it mean, mean machine?
If you desire unpolished and unkind behavior, I will fit the bill.


I'm bad
A well-skilled individual capable of performing well under tough circumstances


Nineteen
Diminishing the challenges that come my way at this young age helps me stay on edge and still overcome them.


I'm bad
Being twenty-something only reinforces the assertiveness, skilled and seasoned individual.


At nineteen
Being nineteen only strengthens my ability to overcome challenges and remain skilled


Oh yeah
Yes


Nineteen
Being young and spirited allows me to remain agile and alert under any condition.


Nineteen
Linguistically repetition that emphasizes staying young and agile.


Nineteen
Emphasizes that the youth and spirit stay intact always and stubbornly shape behaviors, performance, and personality


Same thing every day
The same monotonous things, routine and boredom


You get up and you?
You wake up, and you begin your day, your story


?
The path ahead is not always clear, and the outcomes are unknown yet to be discovered.


Object over rule
Physical activities and tasks overrule mental or emotional ones, hence, the listener's desire to be guided or prioritized in the performance of tasks over emotion.


They tell you everything's a holiday
Someone tells you that everything you're doing is enjoyable or that you should believe so


?
You feel doubtful or not fully convinced instead of a fun holiday.




Writer(s): Philip Parris Lynott

Contributed by Cameron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Paul Hardcastle

I Produced this Track For Phil it was his Last time in the Studio....still have the Rockola Jukebox he gave me for a wedding present, He was A true Megastar Rip Mate Paul H

thomasjude hansen

R.I.P

Leigh Tootell

I LOVE the Bad 4 Good cover of this.

Philip Halpenny

I wish you had produced Phil's tracks like Harlem & He Fell Like A Soldier. They were demos around '84/'85. Quality tracks that fell by the way side as his health problems superseded his artistic control. Curious that, not only did you record tracks called 19, but bookended the 80s with the Top Of The Pops themes. So sweet of Phil to give you that special present...

derek

Paul Hardcastle describe his presence man truthfully I like to hear phil stories

Lisa FeLines

Paul Hardcastle Wow...... ♡

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Daniel Bergerson

You wanna dance? - No chance

Philip Lynott is probably my biggest rock n' roll hero next to Jimi Hendrix. Both are such legends and cooler than ice cold. They live on forever!

Darth Soros

Hearing phil rap at the end is the shit, dude could do it all, then the dance track, phils 80s music was the shit, only wish we could have heard more

Maciej Zagorski

I love this song , pitty he didn't recorded more funky bas tunes. . Respect Phill

am2boni

a very kick ass song!!! God bless Phil!!!

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