Seventeen

Ally Nicholas' song 'Seventeen' delves into the complex emotions of nostalgia, vulnerability, and the longing for connection. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person reflecting on their past, particularly their teenage years, and grappling with the feeling that they haven't progressed or improved since then. The pale yellow light breaking through the night symbolizes a faint glimmer of hope or change, but the singer remains uncertain and hesitant, fearing that any attempt to move forward might result in failure.

The recurring theme of feeling small and insignificant is evident in the lines 'I had a dream once thought I’d try to take my back off of the wall / But every time I think I might / I feel so small.' This sentiment is further emphasized by the comparison to their seventeen-year-old self, suggesting that despite the passage of time, the singer's sense of self-worth and confidence has not grown. The plea 'Be mine, be mine / I'm your girl / And you know exactly why that hurts' reveals a deep emotional wound, likely stemming from a past relationship that still haunts the singer.

The song also touches on the idea of seeking solace in familiar connections, as seen in the lines 'Well are you out somewhere tonight / Figured I’d give you a call.' The singer reaches out to someone from their past, hoping to find comfort and understanding. The notion of driving 'someplace far enough away' symbolizes a desire to escape their current reality and find a sense of peace, even if it's temporary. Ultimately, 'Seventeen' captures the bittersweet nature of looking back on one's youth, the pain of unhealed wounds, and the yearning for a sense of belonging and reassurance.