Older by Alec Benjamin Lyrics Meaning – Navigating Life’s Inevitable Transition
Lyrics
So many things that I just don’t know, I
Cut my hair, bought a new shirt
New pair of shoes and
It’s time to go, I
Finally found an apartment
Signed a lease on a car this month, I
Can’t go back to the start now
Time doesn’t slow down
I’m on my own
Guess my childhood is over
Now I’m taking down my posters
And I’m putting all my things inside a box next to a toaster
That’s my closest thing to closure
I can’t stop this rollercoaster
I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older
Guess my childhood is over
Now I’m taking down my posters
And I’m telling all my friends we’ll get together next October
That’s my closest thing to closure
I can’t stop this rollercoaster
I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum-dum-dum
Never thought I’d be twenty
Now thirty don’t seem so far away
I know I gotta make a little money then maybe find somebody
To call my own
Mm, I’m not ready but I
Can’t go back in time, I
Know it’s all out my control
Now I know
Guess my childhood is over
Now I’m taking down my posters
And I’m putting all my things inside a box next to a toaster
That’s my closest thing to closure
I can’t stop this rollercoaster
I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older
Guess my childhood is over
Now I’m taking down my posters
And I’m telling all my friends we’ll get together next October
That’s my closest thing to closure
I can’t stop this rollercoaster
I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum-dum-dum
Guess my childhood is over
One day I’ll be buying posters for my kids
Just like my parents did for me, it’s never over
They’ll grow up and soon enough
They’ll wish that time would just move slower
I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older
Guess my childhood is over
Now I’m taking down my posters
And I’m putting all my things inside a box next to a toaster
That’s my closest thing to closure
I can’t stop this rollercoaster
I’m not ready to get older, I’m not ready to get older
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum
Bum-ba-da-da-da-dum-dum-dum
I’m not prepared for the future
So many things that I just don’t know, I
Cut my hair, bought a new shirt
New pair of shoes and
It’s time to go
The relentless march of time spares no one, and the universality of growing up forms the crux of Alec Benjamin’s introspective track ‘Older.’ At first listen, the song appears to be a simple lament of lost youth, but a deeper dive reveals that it’s an intricate tapestry, threading themes of apprehension, nostalgia, and the bitter-sweet recognition of personal growth.
Benjamin lays bare his soul as he grapples with the abrupt responsibilities and harsh realities that adulthood imposes. The raw honesty of his lyrics coupled with the catchy melody pulls listeners into a reflective journey of their own parallels. ‘Older’ is less of a swan song to adolescence and more of an anthem for the uncertain, bridging the gap between who we are and who we’re becoming.
The Reluctant Farewell to Childhood Whimsy
‘Older’ treads in the waters of nostalgia but it’s far from being merely a retrospective. Alec Benjamin’s opening lines sketch a portrait of an artist taking hesitant, yet irreversible, steps into the unknown expanse of adulthood. Mundane actions like buying a new shirt and shoes, or moving into an apartment, become ceremonious tokens of a rite of passage that nobody’s truly prepared for.
This isn’t a ballad of readiness; it’s a confession of reluctance. When Benjamin sings about taking down posters and boxing up belongings, he’s doing more than redecorating; he’s reluctantly acknowledging the passing of an era. The comfort of a known childhood is replaced by the challenges that lie ahead, and the listener is invited to reminisce about their own personal transitions.
Unpacking the Box of Memories Next to a Toaster
Perhaps the most poignant metaphor that Alec Benjamin conjures is the image of a box of childhood keepsakes resting casually next to a kitchen appliance. This striking visual symbolizes the blending of past innocence with the prosaic; once cherished posters now lay dormant next to a tool of everyday adult life.
Benjamin’s deliberate choice of placing childhood memories alongside an object as ordinary as a toaster grounds the narrative in a reality that’s not embellished with grandiose sentiments but rather tainted by a sobering, simple truth. Life moves on, childhood becomes an artifact, and adulthood doesn’t wait for one to catch up.
Syncing Life’s Timeline with a Rollercoaster Beat
The infectious ‘bum-ba-da-da-da-dum’ running through ‘Older’ is much more than a catchy beat—it’s an auditory representation of the ups and downs that come with growing up. It’s a rollercoaster ride that Benjamin admits he cannot stop, serving as a metaphor for the uncontrollable nature of time and the frenetic pace of change.
In marrying the lyrics to this rhythmic pulse, Benjamin ensures the song conveys both the excitement and fear associated with forging one’s path in the world. The simplicity of the beat paired with complex emotions encapsulates the duality of life’s journey—thrilling yet terrifying, desired yet daunting.
The Hidden Heartbeat of ‘Older’: Fear of the Unknown
‘Older’ beats with a core fear that resonates with listeners—the fear of the unknown. Benjamin doesn’t shy away from confessing his unpreparedness for the future. This vulnerability stands as the song’s hidden heartbeat, one that keeps it alive and relevant to anyone at the precipice of change.
The fear of what lies ahead is an inescapable shadow that trails every stride toward growth—a constant companion that whispers doubts and insecurity. Yet, Benjamin doesn’t let this fear dominate; instead, he uses it to engage listeners in a dialogue about embracing uncertainty and finding solace in shared experience.
Memorable Lines That Echo in the Halls of Change
Benjamin has a knack for expressing complex emotions with relatable simplicity. ‘Now I’m taking down my posters, and I’m putting all my things inside a box next to a toaster’—this line bears the weight of transformation while remaining elegant in its resonance. It has become a memorable refrain that captures the essence of ‘Older,’ making it a lyrical touchstone for listeners.
The imagery of dismantling one’s childhood space, the symbolism of closing one chapter to begin another, and the notion of personal items losing their place in favor of adult commodities—these are the elements that stick with us long after the song ends. Alec Benjamin’s ‘Older’ cradles these lines as a testament to the universal and inevitable march toward growing up, encapsulating a truth as profound as it is prosaic.
