Teenage Dream

T. Rex's song "Teenage Dream" delves into the disillusionment and loss of innocence that often accompanies the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where the idealistic dreams of youth have been shattered by harsh realities. The recurring question, "Whatever happened to the Teenage Dream," serves as a poignant refrain, emphasizing the sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler, more hopeful time.

The song opens with a sense of surprise and urgency, as the protagonist's "guardian angel" rings down the telephone, signaling a return to a more complicated reality. The mention of a curfew and the imagery of a "sad old wino" and a "jet junk jiver" speeding past in his machine highlight the chaotic and often disheartening world that the characters now inhabit. These lines suggest a loss of control and a sense of being overwhelmed by the pressures and expectations of adult life.

Throughout the song, T. Rex uses a series of vivid and sometimes surreal images to convey the sense of disillusionment. References to a "broken god," the "Wizard of Oz," and the "Silver Surfer" evoke a sense of lost magic and wonder. The line "Black is black and white is white, some go to Heaven and some get it light" underscores the stark and often unforgiving nature of reality. The song's melancholic tone and evocative imagery capture the bittersweet experience of growing up and the inevitable loss of the "Teenage Dream."