They only want you when you're seventeen,
When you're 21, you're no fun.
They take a Polaroid and let you go
Say they'll let you know, so come on.



Lyrics submitted by stara

Track duration: 04:38

"Seventeen" as written by Daniel Hunt

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Seventeen song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I think its less about modeling, and more about men themselves. At 17, you arent legally allowed to do anything, and at 21, youre an adult and can practically do anything. Basically, they want jailbait, the excitement of getting away with things,and dont want someone who can just do whatever
    Flag Kirbon July 26, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Its got to be about people. Where the fuck does it make sense about fish that statement gots to be a big fucking joke.
    Flag OnikJohn3on April 07, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's obviously about modelling. Helen Marnie used to be a model - wouldn't be surprised if she'd specifically written this (and learnt the hard way)...
    Flag agapanthaon May 20, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:it's not necessarily about modeling per se, but youth-obsession in general, & how society leeches on youth. Media, older men (ephebophiles?), fashion, they take what they can from a girl or boy's most magical age (under 21), when she still has that sparkle in her eyes... then they throw her away or ignore her. The polaroid doesn't have to relate to modeling, the polaroid represents stolen youth, eg. the older man captures a girl in the perfect age (17), sucks her of her youth then lets her go.

    I suppose you could also relate it to underage porn, as even if a victim of such child abuse has escaped this sleazy lifestyle, her pictures will never be erased from the internet/pervert's collections... I could go on, but this is what a lot of pedos do, they keep a kid's picture as a twisted souvenir.
    Flag linalkaon March 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:THE FISHING EXPLAINATION IS RIGHT.
    Flag Nillerzon November 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:THE FISHING EXPLAINATION IS RIGHT.
    Flag Nillerzon November 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So this song is definetily about Modeling. If you watch the video you see a group of girls in an interrigation room all wearing the same grey outfit. They all started dancing and they are one by one taken out of the room untill one girl is left. All of this is to show how the girls were supposed to show their individuality despite the fact the were all carbon copies of eachother. This is like the modeling industry becuase that's what they look for, someone different.
    Flag Kahsi123on September 18, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Models.
    No question.
    Flag LeSpinachon August 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i agree with the obvious explanation (the fish)
    Flag rosutoon June 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:HAHAH the rim and fishing explanations are my favorite. that kicks ass.
    Flag pinkandtwistedon June 18, 2007   Link

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