In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name
Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name
Now I've got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I'd do anything
Anything at all for them to notice me
But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say
You don't know what its like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
'Cause see when I was younger I would say
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
They used to tell me I was silly
Until I popped up on the TV
I always wanted to be a superstar
And knew that singing songs would get me this far
But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say
You don't know what its like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
'Cause see when I was younger I would say
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
I see them staring at me
Ooh I'm a trendsetter
Yes this is true 'cause what I do
No one can do it better
You can talk about me
'Cause I'm a hot topic
I see you watching me watching me
And I know you want it, oh
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name
Boys call you sexy
And you don't care what they say
See every time you turn around
They screaming your name
Now I've got a confession
When I was young I wanted attention
And I promised myself that I'd do anything
Anything at all for them to notice me
But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say
You don't know what its like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
'Cause see when I was younger I would say
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
They used to tell me I was silly
Until I popped up on the TV
I always wanted to be a superstar
And knew that singing songs would get me this far
But I ain't complaining
We all wanna be famous
So go ahead and say what you wanna say
You don't know what its like to be nameless
Want them to know what your name is
'Cause see when I was younger I would say
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
I see them staring at me
Ooh I'm a trendsetter
Yes this is true 'cause what I do
No one can do it better
You can talk about me
'Cause I'm a hot topic
I see you watching me watching me
And I know you want it, oh
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
When I grow up
I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star
I wanna be in movies
When I grow up
I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars
I wanna have groupies
When I grow up
Be on TV
People know me
Be on magazines
When I grow up
Fresh and clean
Number one chick
When I step out on the scene
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
Be careful what you wish for
'Cause you just might get it
You just might get it
You just might get it
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Well, having boobies DOES help out when obtaining groupies, so...