The 90s

Finneas' song "The 90s" is a poignant reflection on nostalgia, regret, and the complexities of modern life. The lyrics express a longing for the simplicity and perceived innocence of the 1990s, a time before the internet and the pervasive digital surveillance that characterizes today's world. Finneas romanticizes the era, yearning for a time when personal information wasn't so easily accessible and life seemed less complicated. This sentiment is encapsulated in the lines, "Hate how easy they can find me / Just by looking up my mom’s address," highlighting the invasive nature of modern technology.

The song also delves into themes of regret and the passage of time. Finneas reflects on the moments he wasted worrying instead of appreciating his life, a common human experience. The repetition of the lines, "All the time I should've been / So happy I was here / Wasting it on worrying / Just made it disappear," underscores this regret. The heavy feeling in his head and the metaphor of holding up the levee suggest the emotional burden of these regrets and the effort required to keep them at bay.

Furthermore, the song touches on the disillusionment with the future. In the 90s, the future was seen as something "beautiful and shiny," but now it feels like a countdown to the end. This shift in perspective reflects a broader societal anxiety about the future and a sense of loss for the optimism that once existed. The closing lines, "When your heart / Starts to harden / Lay your guard / Down in your garden / Same backyard / But we are not home," evoke a sense of alienation and the struggle to find peace in a world that has changed so much.