Meaning of “teenage dream” by Olivia Rodrigo
The lyrics of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Teenage Dream” express her concerns and fears about growing up. The singer is turning nineteen and she reflects on the pressure and expectations that come with aging.
In the first verse, she is asking when they will meet the expectations others have for them – like being wise or just “good” instead of “great for her age”. She feels misunderstood and fears that her prime years are behind her, a fear that is emphasized in the chorus with the line “I fear that they already got all the best parts of me”. She express regret over not being able to always be the “teenage dream” that others might want them to be, hinting at a loss of innocence and the burden of expectations.
In the verse two, the lyrics discuss the harsh reality of not always meeting others’ expectations and fearing the future regrets of not enjoying their youthful moments fully. She fears that good intentions won’t be enough anymore, indicating a loss of naivety.
In the bridge, the repetitive lines emphasize a common reassurance she receives – that “it gets better” as you grow. However, the singer is not convinced and fears what if it doesn’t get better with age, showing a deep anxiety about the future and a skepticism towards the assurances from others. It’s a song that deeply resonates with the fear of growing up and losing the spark of youth.
“I’ll blow out the candles, happy birthday to me
Got your whole life ahead of you, you’re only nineteen
But I fear that they already got all the best parts of me
And I’m sorry that I couldn’t always be your teenage dream”
When was “teenage dream” released?
“teenage dream” was released on 8th September, 2023. It is track #12 on Olivia’s second album, “Guts”.
Writing Credits
Olivia paired with Dan Nigro once again as songwriters for this track.
