My mom loves Bruce Springsteen, and she used to listen to his song Growin’ Up in the car when I was younger. I always liked the song, but only because I thought it was catchy; I did not really know what it was about. Springsteen, whose nickname is “The Boss,” sings about fighting in a battle, sailing a pirate ship, having his head up in space, and rebelling against authority. Now, I understand that the song is full of metaphors that represent rebellion, freedom and independence. When analyzed for deeper meaning, Growin’ Up is a song about the emotional growth that teenagers experience as they age. The song also gives a perfect example of the freedom and rebellion that many young adults, especially Americans including me, crave as they get older. …show more content…
He sings, “I was open to pain and crossed by the rain and I walked on a crooked crutch / I strode all alone into a fallout zone, came out with my soul untouched / I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd, when they said ‘sit down’ I stood up” (Springsteen 3-5). To me, the first line represents the growing sense of bravery that teenagers and young adults feel as they enter a new chapter of life, whether it be high school, college, or any other new challenge. The second line represents how this age group’s sense of spirit and invincibility cannot do anything but grow when they exert that bravery wholeheartedly in their new experience. Finally, the third line represents the growth in confidence, and sometimes even defiance, that can result from this invincibility. Young adults and teenagers have so many different feelings as they face new challenges in life, and these new experiences help these aging kids to grow …show more content…
These desires were somewhat sparked when I got my driver’s license and my car. I felt a new sense of freedom and adventure. I could go to anyone’s house whenever I wanted, and I could stay out later because my parents did not have to stay awake to pick me up. I felt like Springsteen did: “And I swear I found the key to the universe in the engine of an old parked car” (17). However, this new privilege came with new responsibilities: curfews. I just wanted to stay out late, but I would have to come home in time to make curfew or I would be punished. I still have curfews today, and sometimes I wish that I could have a little more freedom and make my own decisions on when to come home, just as Springsteen sings about not wanting to land his ship (10). However, unlike in the song, I know that my parents are telling me to “come down” because they love me, not because they want to sink my