Three things are inevitable in life: taxes, pain, and growing old.
Sometimes, it’s hard to articulate the feelings of growing older – things from your childhood beginning to make more sense as time passes, reacting differently to a scenario than you would have as a teenager, the simple, physical inability to handle what you used to.
There’s a universal experience of getting older, our bodies lose mobility with time, pain becomes more frequent, and time seems to go faster.
With this universal experience in mind, I wanted to create a list of the best songs about growing up, because sometimes it’s nice to know others feel the way you feel.
Referencing lists from Billboard, Music Gateway, Music Industry How To, NME, and The Forty Five, this list consists of 40 of the best songs about growing up. I find many of these songs incredibly relevant, and I think you should know about them.
Here are 40 of the best songs about growing up.
1. “Teenage Talk” – St. Vincent (indie)
2. “Kids” – MGMT (indie pop)
3. “The Suburbs” – Arcade Fire (indie)
4. “Patience” – Tame Impala (indie)
5. “Give Yourself A Try” – The 1975 (indie pop)
6. “Time To Pretend” – MGMT (indie pop)
7. “Wake Up” – Arcade Fire (indie)
8. “Garden Song” – Phoebe Bridges (indie pop)
9. “Bags” – Clairo (indie pop)
10. “Birch Tree” – FOALS (indie)
11. “17” – Youth Lagoon (indie)
12. “Bros” – Wolf Alice (indie)
13. “Coming of Age” – Julia Jacklin (indie)
14. “Good Riddance” – Green Day (pop-punk)
15. “Dammit” – blink-182 (pop-punk)
16. “What’s My Age Again?” – blink-182 (pop-punk)
17. “Teenagers” – My Chemical Romance (pop-punk)
18. “When You Were Young” – The Killers (pop-punk)
19. “I’m Just A Kid” – Simple Plan (pop-punk)
20. “Teenage Dirtbag” – Wheatus (pop-punk)
21. “The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World (pop-punk)
22. “Youth of Yesterday” – The Veer Union (rock)
23. “Youth of The Nation” – P.O.D. (rock)
24. “My Old Self” – Wide Mouth Mason (rock)
25. “Reckless Youth” – Pillar (rock)
26. “Breed” – Nirvana (rock)
27. “Wake Me Up” – Avicii (pop)
28. “Young” – The Chainsmokers (pop)
29. “Don’t You Worry Child” – Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin (pop)
30. “First Time” – Kygo feat. Ellie Goulding (pop)
31. “Kids In Love – Kygo feat. The Night Game (pop)
32. “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus (pop)
33. “First Love” – Lost Kings feat. Sabrina Carpenter (pop)
34. “Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield (pop)
35. “Here’s To Never Growing Up” – Avril Lavigne (pop)
36. “Tennis Court” – Lorde (pop)
37. “Boys Will Be Boys” – Dua Lipa (pop)
38. “Proud of Me” – Mahalia feat. Little Simz (pop/hip-hop)
39. “Nostalgia” – Chance the Rapper (hip-hop)
40. “Young, Wild & Free” – Snoop Dogg feat. Wiz Khalifa and Bruno Mars (hip-hop)
1. “Teenage Talk” – St. Vincent (indie)
Described as a trembling voice, St. Vincent’s vocalist recites memories of teenage years, simpler times before things changed and people grew up. A rather ambient track, with hidden 70s synth and simple, indie guitars, “Teenage Talk” encompasses that feeling of nostalgia when looking back fondly.
2. “Kids” – MGMT (indie pop)
“Kids” is a song that I can’t remember its popularity – but I remember how it made me feel. There’s a sense of nostalgia trapped within the song due to the time of its release, contributing to the feeling of growing up, and the lyrics about watching a child grow up just take it that bit further. I think MGMT is best described as indie dance-pop. There are elements of indie – sparkly guitars, strong basslines, a blend of pop and rock drums – all throughout the song, meshed with heavy dance electronics.
3. “The Suburbs” – Arcade Fire (indie)
Arcade Fire is a tried and true indie band, a band that played in the background of my childhood without me knowing – I think one of my childhood friends had an older sibling who really liked indie. “The Suburbs” tackles the white, suburban dream’s inherent innocence bestowed on children in such a closed-off environment, and the desire to break out and find their way out. I think every child reaches a point of ‘get me out of here.’
4. “Patience” – Tame Impala (indie)
Tame Impala has become a household indie name – someone who does everything himself. And that’s respectable – and what’s even more respectable, is “Patience.” “Patience” analyses the feeling of growing in phases and being a different person in each phase. It’s a common experience of growing up, a universal human experience to constantly shift and transform into different versions of yourself has you experience more and more of what life has to offer.
5. “Give Yourself A Try” – The 1975 (indie pop)
Matty Healy is a controversial person, but a damn good musician. Reflecting on life lessons from an older perspective, Healy advises his younger self, telling him to have faith in himself and his abilities. Sonically, it’s a The 1975 song through and through – and that adds to the nostalgic effect – a band many of us grew up with. There’s a sense of humour within the lyrics that keeps the mood light when delving into slightly darker advice.
6. “Time To Pretend” – MGMT (indie pop)
Another MGMT song that I can’t recall whether or not it was a ‘chart-topper’ 13 years ago, there are certainly memories of my youth attached to this song. The instantly recognisable synths and dramatic drums are a tell-tale sign of “Time To Pretend,” which describes the feeling of missing aspects of childhood that can never be experienced again. It’s an incredibly impactful song about growing up – both sonically, and personally.
7. “Wake Up” – Arcade Fire (indie)
A more modern Arcade Fire track, elevating that nostalgic, ‘grown-up’ feeling, “Wake Up” has a look at the idea of children being soft, loving people, while adults have a certain reservation and closed-off nature to the world. Along with this comparison, Arcade Fire plays through the desire to have it back, and the acknowledgement that death comes for us all eventually.
8. “Garden Song” – Phoebe Bridges (indie pop)
One YouTube comment suggests “Garden Song” is one of Phoebe Bridges’s happiest songs – she reflects on her adversities in life but looks at the present and how far she’s come from the past. I think we all come to a point in adulthood where we reflect on the feeling of truly no longer being a child and seeing the growth, but still feeling like the same person. And I think we all have that feeling of being a young child in a grown person’s body – there’s no real separation.
9. “Bags” – Clairo (indie pop)
“Bags” is a quintessential indie song – so if you’re looking for an indie song about growing up, you’ve found the right song. Clairo is known for her borderline bedroom-pop, alt-rock and indie sound. She captures the beginnings of those fiery, young adult relationships that everyone experiences while emphasising the passage of time and the change that naturally comes with that growth.
10. “Birch Tree” – FOALS (indie)
I vaguely recognise “Birch Tree” – it takes me to a very vague memory in my life that I can’t quite grasp, but I remember the feeling. Contentment and reflection, even as a fourteen-year-old, who acknowledged the passing of time and how heavily time impacts a person. And now, I listen to this song, thinking about that fourteen-year-old, and feel content when reflecting on how far I’ve come and how time really changes everything. For better or for worse.
11. “17” – Youth Lagoon (indie)
“17” is an incredibly haunting song, quite literally reflecting on a period of being 17 when their mother told them, “Don’t stop imagining / The day that you do is the day that you die,” and how that imagination has shifted and changed with time, from childhood, chasing friends around the garden, basking in sunlight, made-up games circling imaginations to the heaviness of adulthood. It sticks with you, and it hurts, in an excellent way.
12. “Bros” – Wolf Alice (indie)
“Bros” describes and recites the feeling of having a childhood best friend, and having that unbreakable connection with someone from a young age. The comfort, the knowledge, the trust, the support – it’s unmatched, and Wolf Alice describes it using anecdotes, explaining memories they have. Who else reflects your growth better than your childhood best friend? They show you the best and worst of yourself, guide you in your growth, and appreciate you in each of your forms.
13. “Coming of Age” – Julia Jacklin (indie)
The title of the track “Coming of Age” is very telling – it’s an indie song describing the personal childhood and coming-of-age experience of Julia Jacklin. Accompanied by swinging acoustic guitars, a heavily saturated country influence weaves throughout the alternative track, as Jacklin recites how quickly time passes and all of a sudden, you’re an adult.
14. “Good Riddance” – Green Day (pop-punk)
“Good Riddance” is the quintessential ‘coming-of-age’ song – I remember being in first grade when the eighth graders had this as their graduation song, as they went to high school. Green Day represents teenage angst and different, turbulent times, and this song represents that point in our lives where everything seemed… bleak. Even though, we had no idea.
15. “Dammit” – blink-182 (pop-punk)
blink-182 is arguably one of the biggest pinnacles of teenage angst and capturing nostalgia within their songs. blink-182 was a band that was blared throughout sound systems throughout the early 2000s by almost every teen in the US. The band in itself represents growing up and making it through the tumultuous teen years and understanding the… irritating parts of becoming an adult.
16. “What’s My Age Again?” – blink-182 (pop-punk)
blink-182 is, again, a quintessential coming-of-age group, and therefore produces, coming-of-age songs. “What’s My Age Again?” is a prime example. That feeling of time going faster and faster the older you get and feeling like it never really slows down to the point where ‘ages’ just start to blur together.
17. “Teenagers” – My Chemical Romance (pop-punk)
“Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance works in two contexts – being a younger kid, and seeing how big and scary teenagers are. And being an adult, watching as teenagers wreak absolute mayhem and havoc wherever they go. A full-circle song that can be relevant in multiple stages and points of life. Because I have to agree – teenagers scare the living sh*t out of me.
18. “When You Were Young” – The Killers (pop-punk)
It’s a bit difficult to label The Killers as pop-punk, but for the sake of organisation, let’s move on. The Killers are one of the most prevalent emo bands in history, with an extensive history of chart-topping songs that are instantly recognisable, taking people back to the time when those songs were most popular. “When You Were Young” is no exception. One of my favourite aspects of the songs is the main guitar riff and rhythm guitar – it supports that emotional reflection of growing up and changing.
19. “I’m Just A Kid” – Simple Plan (pop-punk)
“I’m Just A Kid” is somewhat humorous – due to its whininess, and pure pop-punk, as well as the fact that stuff gets even worse. As kids, we imagine that being a kid sucks and that we have no control over anything, and as adults, we can spend hours at a time wishing and longing for a time when we didn’t have to worry about forgetting mayonnaise at the store and crying when you get home because you did indeed, forget it. I wish I was just a kid again.
20. “Teenage Dirtbag” – Wheatus (pop-punk)
It’s hard to describe any pop-punk song as anything but “coming of age” due to the nature of the genre. Wheatus tells a tale of wishing they were cool so they could get that special girl’s attention, and it doesn’t really get more coming of age and ‘growing up’ than that – wishing you were cooler, older, and had more money. Well, the last one doesn’t change with time.
21. “The Middle” – Jimmy Eat World (pop-punk)
A motivational anthem that was plastered in every teen movie in the early 2000s – and for good reason. Jimmy Eat World assures that everything will work out in the end, and you will find your place in the world as you grow up and get older. I think everyone needs to hear that, no matter how young or old.
22. “Youth of Yesterday” – The Veer Union (rock)
“Youth of Yesterday” addresses a pretty politically hot topic in the US at the moment – the older generation, the “Youth of Yesterday,” making decisions and choices for the younger generation, the people who should be in charge of our present circumstances and future possibilities. The Veer Union highlights the resentment that forms with people in these positions, and how with age, things need to change.
23. “Youth of the Nation” – P.O.D. (rock)
A band and a song that you will love if you’re a fan of Linkin Park. “Youth of the Nation” is a heavy song that looks at the reality of young children in school, 20 years ago. Discussing violence and firearms, “Youth of the Nation” describes a school shooting and how the adults around these children are doing nothing to protect them. While this song isn’t exactly about growing up, it does talk about that chance to grow up being robbed of the youth of the nation.
24. “My Old Self” – Wide Mouth Mason (rock)
Leading on the progressive side of rock, “My Old Self” is a track about what it was like growing up and the environment of their house. The warmth of the sun throughout the rooms, seeing their mother and father doing their respective tasks, the simplicity of childhood, and how there are certain moments we have as adults that allow us to flashback momentarily to feel that feeling again.
25. “Reckless Youth” – Pillar
“Reckless Youth” is a motivational track from the older part of the young generation to the younger part of the generation. Telling them to harness their fear and their anger and to fight back for control of our present, our future – our lives. Life can seem dark when you first emerge from childhood into adulthood, and Pillar tells the listener to fight through it, and that all will be okay.
26. “Breed” – Nirvana (rock)
“Breed” is an eclectic song lyrically, but that was Kurt Cobain’s style, and believe me, his work got weirder than “Breed.” The lyrics in this track are a bit more fragmented and choppy, but they’re cohesive. Complimented by Dave Grohl’s killer guitar skills, the song dissects the feeling of infinite options of how to live life and what to do, and having no idea what to do. I feel that way on a regular basis.
27. “Wake Me Up” – Avicii (pop)
“Wake Me Up” symbolises, to me, an easier time. When I was going to high school parties and staying out late, sneaking around, and doing what teenagers do – “Wake Me Up” was played nearly every night that I embarked on in some way shape or form. It symbolises being young and foolish and looking back with a fondness.
28. “Young” – The Chainsmokers (pop)
“Young” is quite the outlier of The Chainsmoker’s discography, and has altered my opinion of them – in a good way. A dance-pop song that doesn’t quite hit ‘dance-y’ until the end of the track, the dynamics of the synthesisers teased and played with a bit more before giving the final instrumental push. I love the lyrics, the upbeat nature of the song, and the happiness seeping through the chords – I would dance to this song in the rain after reminiscing on my childhood.
29. “Don’t You Worry Child” – Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin (pop)
“Don’t You Worry Child” is similar to “The Middle” in that the artists remind you that it is okay to not have a plan at all times and that things will work out in the end. Whether you believe it’s up to fate, faith or belief – that’s up to you, but things will work out. That’s the only similarity between the songs. Swedish House Mafia created an epic dance track that echoed throughout clubs for months and still does to this day.
30. “First Time” – Kygo feat. Ellie Goulding (pop)
“First Time” describes the beginning phases of a relationship, and the youthful feeling of being in those turbulent, exciting relationships, that cause stress and pain, but ultimately, the growth that comes out of that. It’s a classic 2010s pop track, and I think it works in the song’s favour. It captures nostalgia by sounding like a song I would’ve listened to during that time.
31. “Kids In Love” – Kygo feat. The Night Game (pop)
Another Kygo track, “Kids in Love” captures a similar idea to “First Time.” My one issue with this track is the use of Baba O’Riley’s iconic piano chords and how similar they are, whether or not it was credited as a sample. The song analyses those last moments you spend with your childhood love, knowing life for you waits for you on the other side, and that growing up must happen. It’s a bittersweet song.
32. “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus (pop)
“The Climb” represents my childhood – both in terms of lyrical content, and when the song was released. While it’s cheesy and cliche, because Miley Cyrus was a Disney princess, it’s still relatable and understated. I love hearing Cyrus doing modern renditions of this song – it’s beautiful. But, it represents that feeling of childhood, nostalgia, and how far I’ve come since then.
33. “First Love” – Lost Kings feat. Sabrina Carpenter (pop)
Sabrina Carpenter has been creeping onto our screens for a while now, and I really do enjoy her music. “First Love” was an interesting collaboration for a few reasons – it’s reminiscent of The Chainsmoker’s “Closer” featuring Halsey, based on the verse synth chords. But, Sabrina Carpentener’s vocals breathe something unique into the otherwise generic pop song. The lyrics are similar to “Kids in Love.” Go figure.
34. “Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield (pop)
This song, unfortunately, has garnered quite a meme-able reputation, as did a lot of pop in this timeframe (I’m thinking of Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles”) but there’s something so genuine about this song. Again, with growing up and coming of age, it’s hard not to feel like you need to have a two-year, a five-year, a ten-year, a twenty-year plan, but in fact, your future is still unwritten.
35. “Here’s To Never Growing Up” – Avril Lavigne (pop)
While this song isn’t necessarily my favourite, as I feel this song was released at a time in Avril Lavigne’s career that made it seem rather… too childish and immature, but it does encapsulate the group of people who just really don’t care to be an adult. I mean, if there was an opt-out form, I was never notified, and I would like to speak to someone about that.
36. “Tennis Court” – Lorde (pop)
Lorde is one of those artists who can be played and can transport you back to a simpler time. 2014 – when life was so easy, and afternoons were filled with an hour of homework before surfing the internet, writing, listening, watching, our parents eventually calling us down for dinner. “Tennis Court” captures the teenage experience of social hierarchy and social challenges. I think Lorde walked so recent dark-pop artists could run.
37. “Boys Will Be Boys” – Dua Lipa (pop)
An anthem for women growing up – Dua Lipa’s “Boys Will Be Boys” emphasises the fact that boys never really have to grow up, but girls never get the chance to be girls – we’re young women. A good bubble-gum pop track never goes amiss, and I have yet to listen to a Dua Lipa song I don’t like. Bonus points that the lyrics are as unbelievably relevant as they are.
38. “Proud of Me” – Mahalia feat. Little Simz (pop/hip-hop)
“Proud of Me” is an incredibly beautiful track. Mixing hip-hop, soul, a bit of grime and rap, Mahalia’s silky vocals recite pieces of her childhood that influenced her desire and love for music and writing. Her storytelling capabilities create a relatable, engaging song with a smooth backbeat, as she explains her own coming-of-age experience.
39. “Nostalgia” – Chance the Rapper (hip-hop)
“Nostalgia” offers a perspective of growing up in a violent neighbourhood, dealing with crime and dysfunctional, perpetuated by systemic racism that keeps people in the same cycle. “Nostalgia” talks about losing a best friend, and a reflection of losing a friend as a child, and the innocence that seeped in and out of different moments of his life. Chance the Rapper crafts a sad, but contemplative track about the process of growing up and coming of age, backed by a simple backbeat that allows you to feel the lyrics on a deeper level.
40. “Young, Wild & Free” – Snoop Dogg feat. Wiz Khalifa and Bruno Mars (hip-hop)
A party track that is always played late into the night after people have consumed whatever… they’re going to consume and everyone is happy, carefree, and teetering on sleep deprived. But, it’s a song about living in the moment, enjoying the time you have, and not focusing on the future. A lesson we could all learn every once and a while. Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and Bruno Mars created a song that will be played for years, at high school parties.