Some other comments have noted the contrast between the full-on party of the lyrics, and the gentle wistfulness of the melody. I think the reason lies in the fact that this is really a nostalgia song. The singer isn't actually the age of the narrator --he might even be closer to the age of the parents --but he's remembering back to the last time that absolute freedom seemed like a real possibility. It reminds me a bit of the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice," which similarly takes on the voice and perspective of a much younger narrator.
I was struck by this thought when I recently saw a video of a live performance of this song, and the lead singer was silver-haired --"wow," I thought, "they really aren't teenagers anymore."
Any way you slice it, however, this is just a great song. "We're old enough by now, to take care of each other...," what a great line. I never lived the unrestrained suburban adolescence myself, but at least through this song I do get to re-live it!
Some other comments have noted the contrast between the full-on party of the lyrics, and the gentle wistfulness of the melody. I think the reason lies in the fact that this is really a nostalgia song. The singer isn't actually the age of the narrator --he might even be closer to the age of the parents --but he's remembering back to the last time that absolute freedom seemed like a real possibility. It reminds me a bit of the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice," which similarly takes on the voice and perspective of a much younger narrator.
I was struck by this thought when I recently saw a video of a live performance of this song, and the lead singer was silver-haired --"wow," I thought, "they really aren't teenagers anymore."
Any way you slice it, however, this is just a great song. "We're old enough by now, to take care of each other...," what a great line. I never lived the unrestrained suburban adolescence myself, but at least through this song I do get to re-live it!