Top Five Pop Lyrics That Sounded Deep When You Were 12

At 12 years old, you’re convinced pop stars are basically poets. Every line feels like it carries the weight of the universe — heartbreak, destiny, the meaning of life. Then you grow up, hear the same lyric again, and think: wait… what?

Here are five pop lyrics that once felt poetic, intense, and soul-shaping — but now read a bit more like diary scribbles written during a maths lesson.

5. “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends” – Spice Girls, “Wannabe” (1996)

Why 12-year-old you thought it was deep:

A bold feminist manifesto about loyalty, sisterhood, and the importance of friendship. Girl power! Sisterhood! Genuine values!

How it hits now:

It… sounds like they’re saying something completely different.

Still iconic. Still a banger. Maybe less of the deep feminist text you thought it was.

Adult translation:

“Respect my mates or jog on.”

Solid life advice, to be fair.

4. “No, I don’t want no scrub” – TLC, “No Scrubs” (1999)

Why it felt profound at 12:

This was the blueprint for avoiding future heartbreak. A relationship manifesto. A guide to self-worth. Even if you didn’t fully understand what a “scrub” was, you knew you didn’t want one.

How it hits now:

Technically, a scrub is just someone who’s broke with no car.

We were 12. Nobody had a car. Everyone was a scrub.

Adult translation:

“Don’t date someone whose life goal is borrowing your bus money.”

3. “It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you” – Toto, “Africa” (1982)

Why it felt deep:

It sounded like a grand, sweeping declaration of endless love. The emotional maturity! The sacrifice! The devotion!

How it hits now:

The whole song is basically vibes. Gorgeous vibes, but vibes nonetheless.

Geography, rain, and a line that basically says,

“Love you loads, but I’m not walking that far.”

Adult translation:

“I adore you, but if you need heavy lifting, call someone else.”

2. “Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it” – Ronan Keating, “Life Is a Rollercoaster” (2000)

Why 12-year-old you thought it was profound:

This was practically Dalai Lama-level wisdom. A metaphor for resilience. A reminder that life has ups and downs, and you should hold on tight.

How it hits now:

It’s one step above a motivational poster in a GP’s waiting room.

Still catchy.

Still true.

Still something you might mutter during a stressful commute.

Adult translation:

“Life is chaos. Hang on and pray.”

1. “My heart will go on and on” – Céline Dion, My Heart Will Go On (1997)

Why 12-year-old you thought it was deep:

This wasn’t just a song — it was an emotion. The ultimate expression of eternal love, tragic romance, and soul-level devotion. Even if you hadn’t seen Titanic, you still acted like you understood heartbreak on a cosmic scale.

How it hits now:

It’s beautiful, yes. It’s iconic, absolutely. But the line “on and on” is… not exactly Einstein-level poetry. And adult you has discovered that hearts, unfortunately, do not always “go on.” Sometimes they go “nope.”

Adult translation:

“I will emotionally spiral for an undefined amount of time.”