The Six Teens Lyrics
In sixty-eight Julie was Johnnie's date
Two kids growin' together
Livin' each day as if time was slippin' away
Oh, they were just sixteen
And their love a teenage dream
They passed the time, they crossed the line
The line that ran between
Julie and Johnnie now you've made it
You've just gotta be strong
If you're one of the sixteens
And life goes on, you know, you know it ain't easy
You know you'll never go wrong
'Cause you're all part of the sixteens
Maybe they can put it all together
In a show that lasts forever
Oh they would walk the strip at nights
And dream they saw their name in lights
On Desolation boulevard
They'll light the faded light
Suzie and Davey you can make it
You've just gotta be strong
If you're one of the sixteens
And life goes on, you know, you know it ain't easy
You know you'll never go wrong
'Cause you're all part of the sixteens
When Bobby and Billy thought
That sixty eight was out of date
They took the flowers from their hair
And tried to make us all aware
Too bad, too late
So they lived from day to day
And tried to do it all their way
But sixty-eight was sixty-eight
No matter what they say
Bobby and Billy maybe you'll make it one day...
The song is often regarded as the best track written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman for The Sweet. it deals with six teenagers who had to deal with the change from the idyllic and idealistic 1960's to the more confronting 1970's.
How come there aren't more comments? This song is great and probably is their best though "Ballroom Blitz" is a classic.
This is my favorite song by Sweet. I always have to sing along with it whenever I hear it.
On another note, isn't the correct name for the band "Sweet?" I could have sworn that they were only called The Sweet on one album by mistake, or something to that effect.
Ah, never mind, my mistake...it seems they were referred to as The Sweet on albums before 1974 and singles before 1975.
In any case, I'm still calling them Sweet, since that's what their name last was.
About lost innocence and hard lessons. Very much the essence of Sweet and Glam Rock itself which was a musical form that seemed to be all about excess and richness but came about during a time of great economic hardship. The excess was then as much a cry of despair as celebration. Hence the album's name "Desolation Boulevard."
Presumably those mentioned in the lyrics existed. The way the song flows it is as if 'Julie and Johnnie' and co. existed anyway.
I love this band! I even got a reply from Steve Priests daughter! But I think sweets meaning behind the song was what was said about growing up and the hardships and transformation into a new era but I also think the band new a few things that were going on in this world like the way things are going insane these days bc when listening closely to the words I feel they were trying to get a msg through. I don’t mean this song in particular though parts of it do sound like they knew exactly what was going on and in another song that I’m drawing a blank now bc this song is running through my head now, lol.. but it sounds to me like there’s a hidden message and God forbid you say anything of some sort of warning, your ass was as good as dead!! Like they’ve done to so many other actors, actresses and singers and made people believe it was whatever story they made up for everyone to believe. Thank God my eyes are wide open since this plandemic bc I now hear songs differently than before and I pay attention about details more and more people need to wake up and when listening to any songs, you might want to analyze it more bc most likely it’s not what you think the song is truly about!!! Food for thought!!