Anthems For a Seventeen Year Old Girl

Nicole Dollanganger's 'Anthems For a Seventeen Year Old Girl' is a haunting exploration of nostalgia, change, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The repetitive lyrics emphasize a sense of loss and longing for a past self or a past relationship. The phrase 'Used to be one of the wretched ones and I liked you for that' suggests a connection based on shared imperfections and a raw, unfiltered existence. This connection is now lost as the person has transformed, symbolized by the make-up and other superficial changes.

The song's melancholic tone is further highlighted by the repeated lines 'Now you're all gone, got your make-up on, and you're not coming back.' This indicates a sense of abandonment and the irreversible nature of change. The transformation is not just physical but also emotional and social, as seen in the lines 'Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash, under your breath.' These actions represent a shift towards a more superficial, perhaps more socially acceptable persona, which contrasts sharply with the 'wretched' and 'rotten' authenticity that was once cherished.

The final stanza, 'Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me,' serves as a poignant plea for a return to simplicity and genuine connection. It suggests a desire to escape the trappings of modern life and reconnect with a more authentic, unadulterated self. The repetition of these lines underscores the yearning for a past that can never be fully reclaimed, making the song a powerful anthem for anyone grappling with the complexities of growing up and the inevitable changes that come with it.