5 Seconds to Summer’s “Youngblood” Lyrics Meaning

“Youngblood” is a track recorded and performed by the Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer (also known as 5SOS). Lyrically, this track sees the singer (Hemmings) addressing his girlfriend and lamenting about the problems he is having with her.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for 5 Seconds to Summer's Youngblood at Lyrics.org.

According to him, he surrendered everything important in his life just for her because she made him to believe that she was all his. She even assured him she would love him until her dying days. However, her actions say otherwise. He even talks about she used to call him “baby” but now just calls him by his name.

However, from the last two lines of the first verse, we learn that the narrator (Hemmings) behaves in the same negative way towards his girlfriend thanks to the following lines:

Youngblood Lyrics

  • It takes one to know one: This idiomatic expression that Hemmings uses in the song means he also has the same negative qualities as his girlfriend who he is criticizing.
  • “You beat me at my own damn game”: To beat someone at his or her own game basically means to use the same methods/strategies the person has been using to surpass them or gain an advantage over them.

Owing to the above lines from the lyrics, it is safe to conclude that the pair is in a classic example of a dysfunctional relationship where both parties are contributing to the destruction and demise of the relationship.

What is the meaning of the term “Youngblood”?

Before taking a look at what the lyrics of this song, let’s first take a moment to briefly look at the meaning of the term “Youngblood”.  This term has a variety of meanings. The most notable of these meanings is someone who is young. It used to mainly refer to a young black male. However, these days it refers to any young male regardless of his race. Youngblood can also be used to refer to someone who is both young and has very little experience in their chosen profession.

What’s the relationship between the term “Youngblood” and the lyrics of this track?

So the million dollar question now is: how does the term “Youngblood” have anything to do with the theme of the lyrics of this song?

Many have said there’s no relationship and that the band probably just used the term in the song because it’s a cool term. While that might be a possibility, it really isn’t the case. In a June 2018 interview the band had with HMV, the band was asked if the record was a personal one. Calum Hood (the band’s bass player) answered in the affirmative. According to him, the record sees them laying bare their youthful lives to the world. He added that they got the title “Youngblood” from that exciting chapter of their young lives.

Facts about “Youngblood”

  • This track was written by 5 Seconds of Summer (Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin, Calum Hood, and Michael Clifford) alongside American songwriters Ali Tamposi and Andrew Watt. Over the course of their careers, both Tamposi and Watt have made name for themselves penning numerous hit songs. For example, the pair co-wrote such hits as “Havana” by Camila Cabello and “It Ain’t Me” by Kygo and Selena Gomez.
  • Aside co-writing the track, Watt also co-produced it along with fellow American music producer/songwriter. The pair earlier worked together on Camila Cabello’s 2017 hit “Havana”.
  • “Youngblood” was first released on April 12th, 2018. It is the 2nd single from the band’s 3rd studio album which is also titled Youngblood. That album also features the Valentine’s Day song “Valentine“.
  • The official music video of “Youngblood” was filmed in the capital city of Japan, Tokyo. It stars Japanese musical artists Misaki Aono and Daigo Yamashita, playing an elderly couple remembering the exciting times of their youth as they prepare for their final day on earth. American music video director Frank Borin directed the clip.
  • In May, “Youngblood” made it to number one in the band’s home country of Australia. The feat gave the band their second number one hit in their country. In the United Kingdom, the track climbed to number 4. In the United States, it succeeded in getting to the number 7 spot on the Hot 100.

What type of music is “Youngblood”?

It fits well into the synth-pop genre of music.

What prominent music awards has “Youngblood” won so far?

It has won a number. For example, the song won a Teen Choice Music Award in the category of the Choice Song: Group in August 2018.

7 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:

    when i first sang this song it was to my crush who i ended up dating because of the song so im suprised she liked it after reading this p.s she dosnt know what the song is about

  2. Just wondering says:

    There were no mentions of gender in the song? So why assume that is has to be about a girl? I don’t follow the band member lives but atleast the ones that are listening to this song can decide the gender of the subject by themselves.

    • Anonymous says:

      The lyrics literally says “I’m just a dead man walking tonight” so yeah it does. The song is written from the man’s perspective.

    • Anonymous says:

      Seriously, get off the comments. No one said it couldn’t be a man either. They are allowed to assume it’s a girl and it’s not hurting anyone.

  3. IwishSheDidntFallForMyBrother says:

    I get image of young couple of two hot heads (youngbloods) that push each other to break just to realize they are meant for each other and want each otehr .
    Thats short version .. but with that in mind go throught lyrics 😉
    It can be also view of just one youngblood who is a little crazy after break up. Telling her that she needs him ( knows better ,right) … hope to God you see my face .. His bit of crazy point of view. and then ” yea you need it” Like that doesnt sound maniacal but maybe love is a little bit crazy. Anyway on second thought I guess that theory is killed with this part “You push and you push and I’m pulling away
    Pulling away from you
    I give and I give and I give and you take, give and you take”
    so back to couple of youngblood hotheads taking a “dare” at each other in this game .

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