“When I Was Young” shows that the problems we experience at a young age are… Read Full Bio ↴“When I Was Young” shows that the problems we experience at a young age aren’t really as serious as they seem; it’s a song about realizing that every hardship in life can be overcome. The lyrics also sum up Tom’s remembrance of when he was younger and how much his life and views of the world has changed.

When I Was Young
blink-182 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And hope that we clear a path we can follow

It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (it doesn't hurt that much)

When I was young, the world, it was smaller
The cities were vast, the buildings were taller
I felt really strong, my parents seemed stronger
My life has a way, it showers with greatness
Then takes it away, those pieces that made us
Then teaches you things you'd never imagine
We all get the same, the memories, the burdens
The pictures we made, they still form a pattern
They cautiously say, "Does it all matter?"

It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (it doesn't hurt that much)

It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright

It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (it doesn't hurt that much)

It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life

I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright

Overall Meaning

The song "When I Was Young" by blink-182 begins with the singer waking up to find himself surrounded by blackness. He sees a small warning sign and feels anxious and weightless, admitting that he is struggling to face the difficulties that he is going through. The lyrics then shift to the past, with the singer reminiscing about his younger years when everything seemed simpler and more straight forward. The cities and buildings were bigger, but he felt stronger and his parents seemed invincible. However, as time has gone on, he has come to realize the dangerous and rotten things that live in the shadows and the tightrope we all walk between life and death.

Overall, the song is about growing up and maturing, learning about the harsh realities of life that we all must face. It is about the struggle to come to terms with the negative aspects of life and still find a way to move forward, even when things seem bleak. It speaks to the universal experiences of growing up and dealing with the challenges that come along with it.

Line by Line Meaning

I woke up today
Started a new day

Surrounded by blackness
Feeling lost and hopeless

A small warning sign
A subtle indication of something going wrong

Devoured the process
It consumed everything

It’s always been fine
Trying to ignore the problem and acting like everything is okay

I get up and ignore this
Trying to push through despite the negative thoughts and feelings

And it’s hard to say
Difficult to express the feelings

But I feel all of this weightless
Feeling relieved

But the more that I admit
Coping with the reality

I feel up and anxious
Feeling more anxious and apprehensive

And the more I go on
Continuing with life

The less I can face this
Finding it increasingly difficult to deal with problems

And those rotten things
The bad things in life

That live in our shadow
The things that affect us deeply

We walk on the line
Living between good and bad

Of death and the gallows
Dealing with the risk of death and impending doom

And hope that we’re clear
Hoping for a good outcome

When I was young
Talking about the past

The world it was smaller
The perspective was limited

The cities were vast
The world was bigger and more exciting

The buildings were taller
Everything seemed grander

I felt really strong
Felt like they could do anything

My parents seem stronger
Parents were looked up to and admired

My life has a way
Life has a tendency

Showers with greatness
Provides great opportunities

Then takes it away
Quickly removes all the good things

Those pieces that made us
The qualities that defined a person

The dangerous things
Things that pose a risk or threat

You’d never imagine
Things we never expected

We all get the same
We all face similar challenges

The memories that burn
Painful memories

And those pictures we made
Memories from the past

They still form a pattern
They still have significance

They courteously say
They politely remind us

Does it not matter?
Is it not important?

It’s the worst damn day (doesn’t hurt that much)
Having a bad day but trying to put on a brave face

Of my life
Feeling like this is the worst point in life

I made a mess today (doesn’t hurt that much)
Having made mistakes, but it's not the end of the world

But I’m alright (doesn’t hurt that much)
Putting on a brave face and carrying on despite the setbacks

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@raya3783

2y↑16

Lyrics:

Verse 1
I woke up today surrounded by blackness
The small morning sun devoured the process
It's always been fun when I get a bit nervous
And it's hard to say, but I feel a bit weightless
The more I admit, I feel a bit anxious
The more I go on, the less I can face this
And those rotten things that live in our shadow
We walk on the line of death and the gallows
And hope that we clear a path we can follow

Chorus:
It's the worst damn day (It doesn't hurt that much)
Of my life
I made a mess today (It doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (It doesn't hurt that much)

Verse 2:
When I was young, the world, it was smaller
The cities were vast, the buildings were taller
I felt really strong, my parents seemed stronger
But life has a way, it showers with greatness
Then takes it away, those pieces that made us
Then teaches you things you'd never imagine
We all get the same, the memories, the burdens
The pictures we made, they still form a pattern
They cautiously say, "Does it all matter?"

It's the worst damn day (It doesn't hurt that much)
Of my life
I made a mess today (It doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (It doesn't hurt that much)
It's the worst damn day (It doesn't hurt that much)
Of my life
I made a mess today (It doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright

@williamchuang4661

1y↑5

I woke up today surrounded by blackness
The small morning sun devoured the process
It's always been fun when I get a bit nervous
And it's hard to say, but I feel a bit weightless
The more that I admit I feel a bit anxious
The more I go on, the less I can face this
And those rotten things that live in our shadow
We walk on the line of death and the gallows
And hope that we clear a path we can follow
It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (it doesn't hurt that much)
When I was young, the world, it was smaller
The cities were vast, the buildings were taller
I felt really strong, my parents seemed stronger
My life has a way, it showers with greatness
Then takes it away, those pieces that made us
Then teaches you things you'd never imagine
We all get the same, the memories, the burdens
The pictures we made, they still form a pattern
They cautiously say, "Does it all matter?"
It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (it doesn't hurt that much)
It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright
It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright (it doesn't hurt that much)
It's the worst damn day (it doesn't hurt that much) of my life
I made a mess today (it doesn't hurt that much)
I'm alright

All comments from YouTube:

@CheeseBallWillie

8y↑150

"I felt really strong. My parents seemed stronger." I can relate man.

@smorcsavage9234

8y↑1

what are you supposed to do when you are stronger than your parents x.x

@wccrispy

8y↑7

Be strong for them.

@micheluccilaura3695

1y↑1

I was playing it at guitar , bring me tears. The lyrics of this song are so strong!

@Jettijetstriker

36w

That part is a ducking BAR dawg

@DannyKopij

5y↑82

This EP is criminally underrated for the first 3 songs alone.

@tannerthepanman9202

4y↑9

For all of them man

@Trinstar

26w↑12

This is one of my favourite Blink songs of all time.

@raya3783

2y↑16

@georgiabrebner

8y↑66

I love this song. 'I had the worst damn day of my life, I made a mess today, but I'm alright' I can really relate to.

@MagikFingers420

4y↑1

But u survived! Keep on living!

@Dylans3Tears

8y↑226

To me, this song is special for so many reasons but the main one being if you were to sit down and listen to all of blink's discography chronologically, this would be the very last song you would hear and it's the last Tom DeLonge-blink-182 song, which, to ME personally, is the end of blink-182. Bored to Death and California as a whole isnt blink with someone else helping write the songs and not a great contrast in voices with Mark and Matt. Thats just me personally, everyone has their own interpretation and feelings, and thats mine. So to me, "It's the worst damn day of my life, I made a mess today" hits hard and just how it ends immediately "I'm alright..." That hits me so fucking hard man. Thank you for everything blink-182.

@SonikJesus

8y↑5

yup. different members = different band. FACT

@rahmathadiyatulakbar8527

8y↑8

+jazzblaster so you are saying that blink 182 wasn't blink 182 since travis joined. isn't it? lol, just enjoy everything they gave ffs. they already did everything for the fans

@SonikJesus

8y↑5

Rahmat Hadiyatul Akbar
travis is just the drummer. he doesn't write songs. he just adds a beat. and there's a click track when he lays it down so the tempo is already set. tom wrote a lot of the songs. and he played and wrote the guitar riffs for all of them. he was a major force in the band. he was the major force. comparing a drummer to a singer/songwriter/guitarist is comparing apples and oranges. and dont even say travis is so good and he adds so much to the songs. he doesn't. he just overplays and he plays to a click track. he plays in a pop radio band not a jazz ensemble. he adds nothing except unnecessary fills to the songs.

@Mattler

8y↑4

I dont know why everyone said the samething about Scott and Travis. Travis nor Scott didnt write any of the sings. Travis just comes in and hears the song and drums.

@gabriele1296

8y↑2

i remember you that Tom live voice is very bad, i prefer Matt and when i had discovery that Tom wanted to change the blink music style i thought is better without him.

18 More Replies...

@Dentornation1995

3y↑21

This album got me through highschool.... Now it's getting me through suicidal thoughts and adulthood hell...

@FuckThatShitt

ALL OUR LIFES WE ARE KIDS .

@regularyoutubename

11w↑3

Years later, When WE WERE Young gets released.

@bloodshotessence

11y↑10

This is how a band changes over time. Everything that's happened to them changes their sound. And I love this. Still love their old stuff. But this is amazing.

@Decim8ion

How about now

@bloodshotessence

@@Decim8ion nah give me old blink now.

@PJ-mb3ue

What an underrated album

@speedguy17

8y↑52

This is much better then their new stuff, lyrically much better not just random words and a bunch of nananananananas

@lunarproduction

8y↑2

just someone just listened to No Future, lol

@fawaizrozaldi4001

8y↑1

and no future...

@watermelonheadiego

8y↑1

i liked all of their new songs except for no future . its ok but still very different. i agree though.. i feel as if tom just puts the final touch into each song . without him the music is tough..

@danielamaya138

8y↑2

Lol are you kidding? Its ava. And the chorus is so boring and bland

@brokenyard

8y↑1

Are YOU kidding? Have you even heard anything by AVA outside of the 2005 Whisper album? This sounds nothing like the weird shit Tom puts out under the AVA name.

17 More Replies...

@ayanabowman4191

3y↑6

blink-182 has no idea how badly i needed this album in my teens😩

@christianson-yap3410

11y↑11

Blink-182 improves with each release. Lyrically and instrumentally. Bravo boys you wrote another masterpiece!

@pleasestay

11y↑6

One of the best songs they have written.

@treyphillips9191

8y↑11

This is my all-time favorite blink song. If I had to pick one blink song to keep in my library, it'd be this one. Nobody would really agree with me, but I'd pick this song over even any of their classics. I'll stand by it, cuz this song is DAMN GOOD.

@jacobevingham8495

2y↑2

This is my number 2 personally. It’s really close with Adam’s Song, and although I still have Adam’s Song number 1, this is still very close and in my opinion the second best song Blink has ever made. I know this comment was 5 years ago, but don’t think nobody would agree with you. This song is amazing

@4u2nvme4ever

2y↑4

i had a personal love of Aliens Exist and Stay Together For The Kids....

@treyphillips9191

2y↑1

@@jacobevingham8495 Adam's Song is also one of my favorites :) Glad you also love When I Was Young so I'm not alone lol

@gabrielassis2329

Nice choice!! Hahah, but I'd prefer to get Violence, from the self titled album. It fucking chills man.

@joeflosion

14w

I've got it tied with Dysentery Gary

@themikebliss

11y↑9

People's logic: "I HEAR A SYNTH ON THIS, IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE ANGELS AND AIRWAVES" Implying blink has never used a synth before, get over yourselves. This is awesome and so is the rest of the EP, amazing job guys!

@toastbros6920

8y↑18

i love blink so much

@deinemutter4701

Too

@punksidegamingdrummingandg5156

three

@Ric914thebest

Five

@JackJN

Six

@sambitdas9416

17w↑1

Beautiful song

@jessenelson4747

5y↑16

kinda want this album cover for a tattoo

@chrisparish885

5y↑13

The best work they've done after Neighborhoods. Fucking shame they've ended up where they are now.

@booker1178

4y↑4

A good song to remember times that never come back

@TaylorPegram

11y

OMFGG THE CHORUS IS SO GOOD

@aldown

8y↑9

Everything's Magic

@alfredoart382

NOPE.

@edgara182fan

11y↑5

A friend of mine told me "Close your eyes and guess who's playing" I did so and my answer was "Angels and Airwaves" until I listened the Mark's voice I said "WTF! Is that Blink 182?" This sounds so badass! Just love it!

@joeflosion

14w

This song and EP got me through some bad times dude

@keithcozart9969

1y↑2

I don’t know how I keep forgetting this beautiful album 🔥😭

@kylemancuso1114

11y

Its a fresh sound, and its still blink. If your not ready for it, go listen to the old stuff

@Richbecks1

11y

this is blink 182.. live with it.

@facundoportela9279

8y↑1

Beautiful

@ToPoSiKoSiS

10y↑18

Best song of the new EP
Tom cant sing it live xD

@broyouwack

10y↑2

I've always wondered that? Why cant he sing it life? Is it cause he's phically not able to or is he just not aloud to? I just dont get it x)

@johnnyboy1017

+Alan Trainor Yup, like many other artists. I don't really have a problem with it, if there's a program that's going to make their vocals sound better on the albums then why the fuck not? I'm all for it. Btw, it's not just auto tune, there's various other effects such as pitch corrector. And you can't make the argument of saying well anyone can sound good with those programs and effects, because that's complete whore shit. Many aspiring singers use the exact same programs and effects and they sound like shit.

@JillRobertsLIVES

4y↑1

@Alan Trainor that's not what auto tune sounds like

@mackenziet___1

8y↑3

I like this song more than most of their classics surprisingly.

@Brownian96

11y↑2

Love the mature Blink-182. of course they're not gonna be writing songs like they did way back in the late 90's early 00's. They're older, wiser and still kicking ass. BLINK <3

@asianmanchris

11y↑1

Best song on the EP hands down.

@ratchet4769

1y↑1

Everything’s everything’s magic

@OMFGtoastable

11y↑1

Pokemon and Blink, my two favorites. :3

@059hambone

11y

hes not talking about the whole song and not the chorus but some of the words have the tune of everything is magic i cant believe u cant hear it so before u get ur panties in a bunch and criticize people of knowing or not knowing music try listening to it closely

@boxcarblinkava44

11y

amazing chorus

@Scotchism

8y↑8

EVRAYTHANG EVERYTHANG IS MAHGICK!!!!

@Hellowrld666

2legit dude

@4u2nvme4ever

2y↑1

Thank you Tom! Your last song is the worst day for Blink as a unit

@williamchuang4661

1y↑5

@T0aNuva

11y

Dear Tom, Mark and Travis. Please come to Singapore. Sincerely, a really really big fan who needs to see you guys live.

@AidanBuckleyLUFC

11y

LOVE THE EP...AMAZING

@RegumRai

11y

awesome song

@denoah182

11y

one of the best songs !

@lju627

11y

Grown up listening to blink, through all the albums, the break up- Angels&Airwaves and +44, the reunion. They've matured so much with their music but it's perfect STILL, will never ever get old. Done us all proud!!

@angelsandairvavesAVA

11y

best year ever -I was at blink 182 concert -I was at AVA concert -they made a new awesome album

@thebadassbicycle

11y

You guys are a big inspiration. I grew up with your music thanks to my older brothers. Still listening. You guys have changed a lot over the years, and i really like the newer Blink!! Hope i can see you guys in concert some day

@christianromero1019

11y

This ep is so amazing

@akiaalonzo6274

11y

Blink continues to surprise me! I love everything about this new EP!

@C-qnz

11y

great track!

@tyleraustinreaves13

11y

love it

@taheedunf233

11y

Straight Jam!!!

@Kreete148

11y↑1

Absolutely amazing song. I freaking love it!

@irenemichelleleivas5722

8y↑5

blink rocks

@tylerrobinson6005

11y

great song great band great EP. i will forever love blink 182

@JebusMcChristo

11y

My favourite song from the album, blink are just amazing.

@danielamaya138

8y↑1

I remember when this song came out and thank God we're living in such different times.

@NoxusYeti

11y

To all those who think otherwise, this is Blink 182 (Tom, Mark and Travis), I don't hear any other band members.

@taheedunf233

11y

Straight Jam!!

@MonsterStudioz

11y

Everything's Magic...to the blink level...yay!

@AzzaMarsh

11y

I love this song. Sounds great.

@kritzel789

11y

awesomeness!!!

@flyny

11y

tuneeeee!!!

@AdrianRuizP

11y

Best song

@achmadkhairulalrasyid1535

8y↑18

tom please come back in blink 182

@oscarenriquegarcia3157

he wont

@lofer9138

He will soon

@Jagerfox

11y

amazing!

@oNORMLo

11y

I have listened to you guys for over a decade and i don't intend on stopping now!!!!

@juanleiden

11y

great song in here!

@beza511

11y

In total agreement. Still love listening to Aliens Exist and the new stuff is just as good, just different.

@rynob23

11y

Glad these guys are still making music, all my life I have listened to u guys

@boxcarblinkava44

11y

Awsome Chorus

@peteroffmx

7y↑3

My favorite song the dogs eating dogs album for ever ♥♥

@brunopertile

11y

BEST OF THE EP.

@patrickreburiano5792

11y

great song great band ever. ! hands down.

@olegbobanov1187

Legend

@thumpforthump

11y

My favourite song from this EP. Thank you blink!

@camicore

11y

I LOVE BLINK 182.

@Eysin182

8y↑4

you did a goodjob tom i love you guys

@alessandrohernandezmanzano7256

11y

esto es fantastico

@Wopee123

11y

Without you guys i would never have my own band! You guys are a big inspiration for me, so thank you !

@wslysol

11y

Best song off the new ep

@MrJerlick

11y

Blink, always perfect!

@Mel06201

11y

Love love love Blink 182!!

@haigha

11y

loved the EP.. You are the best ! :D

@FooFighter201

10y↑20

Its like this whole EP is what we wanted Neighborhoods to sound like. Don't get me wrong, i actually still liked Neighborhoods and i can see why a lot of people didn't, hell even Mark said that it was gonna cause some ripples amongst fans, but i don't care, I'm still here supporting the shit out of these guys and look forward to hearing more from them :)

@BastognesBulge

3y↑3

For me, personally, if you stop Neighborhoods after Wishing Well and add the first 3 songs from this EP... that'd be one beast of an album.

@exxxe182

11y↑1

always love BLINK-182 belong to my adolescence and now! blink-182 forever.

@ivanchuachiwhye

11y

This is awesome!!! thanks Mark and Tom!!!

@dteskone

11y

I've been a fan of blink since I was like half a meter tall and I love this new album so happy that use are back making albums again your music keeps me sane

@Paradise4Nerds

11y

I can't wait to see blink182 live and Ava best bands ever

@ogmusicmaker

11y

Great!

@blink182izawsm

46w

I remember being in highschool when this first came out. I loved it then and I love it now

@pawnofmusic

11y↑1

i have loved your music since i could understand english propperly, you guys are a big inspiration to me! keep up the awesomeness! ^_^

@ohhorizon

11y

Favorite song of the EP :)

@dntrws

47w

Perfect🔥

@oNORMLo

11y

Love the new song will be downloading the EP.

@skate4lifeskm2

11y

I love it , it's my favorite song

@dragonslayerwrestler

11y

AGREE

@michellekern219

11y

you guys are my favorite band

@strawberryxo98

11y

Hello. I am a blink-182 fan and I also enjoy a lot of other music, including a wide variety of genres. Now, this is called the YouTube comment section. Not the YouTube argument section. So enjoy this beautiful music, and if you are incapable of such a task, go and listen to something else. Be nice to eachother. We have to share this world, we may aswell get on. Have a nice day. Peace.