I really feel like I need to write about this because last week I just witnessed the greatest coming-of-age songs mashup by Taylor Swift. I felt goosebumps all over my body when the first verse of ‘Fifteen’ came in, and bursted into tears when ‘You’re on Your Own Kid’ played in the middle of the act.
It felt very personal and emotional, as ‘Fifteen’ is about the innocence of being a high school freshman. Your only problem was having a crush on a senior boy, and you still don’t know who you’re supposed to be.
Whereas in ‘You’re on Your Own Kid’ is about having epiphanies in your social circles and relationships, trying so hard but no one cares, and realizing that your dreams aren’t that unique. Life struck you and you realized that in this life, you only have yourself to rely on.
The experience felt like the now-me having a conversation with the 15-years old me. From worrying about my first love to looking for someone better. From having nothing to figure out to the realization that my dreams aren’t rare. From having best friends you stick around with most of the times to looking places where you could fit in. From not knowing who are you going to be to giving your blood, sweat, and tears to who you are now.
This song mashup has been a reality check song for me as I just noticed that so many things changed in a decade. You will outgrew people, you will have crisis about your dreams, you will be awkward again in a new environment.
The combination of the innocence of ‘Fifteen’ with the mature ‘You’re on Your Own Kid’ is a truly heartwarming yet heart-wrenching duo.
The scary news is, you’re on your own now. But the cool news is, you’re on your own now.
