Every night I dream the same dream
Of getting older and older all the time
I ask you now what does this mean
Are all these problems just in my mind?
Things are easy when you're a child
But now these pressures have dropped on my head
The lengths I've gone are just long miles
Would they be shorter if I were dead?

[Chorus]
Every time I look in my past
I always wish I was there
I wish my youth would forever last
Why are all these times so unfair?

Look at my friends and see what they've done
Ask my self why they've had to change
I liked them better when they were young
Now all these times are rearranged
I look down, and stand there, and cry
But nothing ever will be the same
The sun is rising; now I ask why
The clouds have fallen; here comes the rain

[Chorus]

Every night I dream the same dream
Of getting older and older all the time
I ask you now what does this mean
Are all these problems just in my mind?
Things are easy when you're a child
But now these pressures have dropped on my head
The lengths I've gone are just long miles
Would they be shorter if I were dead?

[Chorus]



Lyrics submitted by youth_underground

Track duration: 03:24

"16" as written by Billie Joe/kiffmeyer Armstrong

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


16 song meanings
Add your thoughts

30 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:Yeah, a song that gets bittersweet as I get older. I remember at 16 not wanting to make 21, at 21 not wanting to make 30, not at 33 I want to be 90. Classic teenage angst, but great to relive.
    Flag billyzoom666on December 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:OOMMGG I FEEEL this way RIGHT NOW.
    I am 16 and I have gone through SUCH a trauma this summer.
    I wish I hadn't had to grow up so much.
    I just wish I was an innocent kid again.

    Your parents pain and ire can create a psychological (and MORE) mess for your future.
    Why can't they leave us kids OUT of their marital problems?
    Flag juniorcelt11on August 31, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great song. I'm in my 20s now but the song REALLY hits home for me lately. Amazing stuff, the way GD captures their raw emotions is something few bands can match!
    Flag InsaneJediGirlon September 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the part about having problems might be refering to just finding out that he's bi.
    just like in coming clean and king for a day; all have similar meanings
    Flag tenclub07on August 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it's about being nostalgic. and realizing that the times when you and your friends hung out and complained, did nothing are ending. bigger problems and a new chapter in love is approaching. you just want that day when you recognized life back.
    and your stuck in memory.
    Flag glorious_euphoriaon September 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:OMFG LOL!!! be you suck... jk i never went there...
    Flag Sk3wl_BUson March 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:OMFG LOL!!! be you suck... jk i never went there...
    Flag Sk3wl_BUson March 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Why the hell do three of green days songs consist of numbers?
    Flag CD Holderon March 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is about how billy sucked his first cock when he was 16.Go to hisfirstbigone.com to see it live.You must be 18 to view.
    Flag beon February 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:corrections, makes instead of make and that instead of the.
    Flag ahhhhmmmon February 15, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain