Teenage Fury
Washington Lyrics


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I begin by saying
You were right
When you suggested
I was looking for some feeling
that wasn't to be found
except for in the pages
& poetry of ages
All that teenage fury
I hope you wrote that down

I admit that
at the start it shook me
I confess, it took me
several months of fury
to burn that city down
But now that I am older
my blood seems to run colder
& I don't get that feeling
when you are around

In its stead, I have steady hands
In its place, I am making plans
In the space where I used to spit & scream
there is measurement of temperament
I cultivate my teenage dreams

So again, into the fray
Again, go see you play
Again, just drum & bass
Again, your perfect face
But I don't care about the future
& all I can say to you is
I don't want to hurt you
&, I don't think that you do
want for me to search you
for your teenage fury
Now that we are grown

So it stands, a monument
Still there
The same thing, self aware
Just shadows in the dark
My favourite work of art
I think it's finished
shall we hang it in the gallery?




All that teenage fury
of my very own

Overall Meaning

"Teenage Fury" by Washington is a song that seems to be about the phase of life where everything was felt with an intensity that gave it a special value. The song begins with a statement that conveys acceptance - the singer acknowledges that the person she is talking to was right about her looking for something in the past that isn't there anymore. She then makes a reference to "teenage fury," which she hopes has been written down, possibly as a way to preserve the essence of who she was back then. The next line seems to imply that she has since moved on from that phase, grown up, and acquired a certain level of emotional stability that is probably the result of years of maturation.


Washington then goes on to talk about welcoming a nostalgic feeling of the past - how she's willing to go to a concert and enjoy the music without any expectations about what it would lead to. The singer seems to have let go of the intense passion that characterized her teenage years and is content with the memories and experiences that came with it. To her, it's a part of her life that now exists in the past as a finished work of art that deserves to be celebrated.


Overall, "Teenage Fury" can be interpreted as a song that speaks to the universal experience of growing up and reconciling the past with the present. It highlights the idea that life is a series of phases that we move through, and while each one has its unique value, we shouldn't hold onto them too tightly.


Line by Line Meaning

I begin by saying
At the start of this story, I need to express something


You were right
I am in agreement with you


When you suggested
At the moment when you made a recommendation


I was looking for some feeling
I was searching for a particular emotion


that wasn't to be found
That wasn't present or available


except for in the pages
With the exception of what was written in books or texts


& poetry of ages
And the poems that were written many years ago


All that teenage fury
All of that youthful anger and passion


I hope you wrote that down
I hope you recorded those experiences and feelings


I admit that
I acknowledge that


at the start it shook me
In the beginning, it disturbed me


I confess, it took me
I acknowledge, it required of me


several months of fury
A number of months filled with anger


to burn that city down
To release and let go of those negative emotions


But now that I am older
As I have grown and matured


my blood seems to run colder
I am less impulsive and reactive


& I don't get that feeling
And I no longer experience that particular emotion


when you are around
In your presence


In its stead, I have steady hands
Instead, I am more stable


In its place, I am making plans
I am focused on creating a plan or strategy


In the space where I used to spit & scream
In the area where I would previously shout and express anger


there is measurement of temperament
There is a sense of self-control


I cultivate my teenage dreams
I continue to nurture and pursue my youthful aspirations


So again, into the fray
So once again, diving into the conflict or struggle


Again, go see you play
Once more, watching you perform


Again, just drum & bass
Once more, listening to a particular type of music


Again, your perfect face
Once more, appreciating your attractive appearance


But I don't care about the future
But I am not worried about what will happen down the line


& all I can say to you is
And the only thing I have to tell you


I don't want to hurt you
I have no intention of causing you pain


&, I don't think that you do
And I do not believe that you also harbor that intention


want for me to search you
Desire for me to closely examine you


for your teenage fury
For those youthful feelings of anger and passion


Now that we are grown
Now that we have matured


So it stands, a monument
So it remains, like a statue or memorial


Still there
Unchanged and present


The same thing, self aware
Continuing as before, conscious of itself


Just shadows in the dark
Existing only as vague outlines in the darkness


My favourite work of art
My preferred masterpiece


I think it's finished
I believe it has been completed


shall we hang it in the gallery?
Should we display it in a public place?


All that teenage fury
All of those angsty, energetic, adolescent emotions


of my very own
Specifically, my own particular teenage experiences and feelings




Contributed by Vivian V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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