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about
Whenever I think back on the beginnings of this song, it always seems to signify a sort of milestone in my writing for me. I wrote it when I was in a really awful period of writer’s block actually, and as a sort of exercise, I decided to pull a Taylor-Swift-Folklore-Moment and try to write a song from the perspective of a character from another piece I had created (lol sounds confusing but I shall elaborate).
I had gotten back from a trip to Delaware to visit my cousin (and pretty much best friend since birth) Viv, where we had actually just written a song called “Ophelia” about two friends leaving each other for college. And so, in my Folklore-induced haze, I decided to write a song from Ophelia’s own perspective, ultimately directed at the character whose point of view the first song had been written from (and as the song title just might possibly suggest, I chose the name Grace).
Although I myself have only just started looking at colleges and thinking about that daunting phase in my life, I had also just been directly introduced to that peculiar, bittersweet feeling as I had recently become the only kid in the house after my last sister left for college. Ultimately, the line “growing up happens when you least expect it to” sort of began to steer the concept of the piece. I was inspired to write it after my older sister, whom I often fought with and despised for the first couple years of my life, said that she loved me with red, crying eyes as she left. And of course, almost as if I was just realizing the truth of these words at that very moment, I said it back.
It was this overwhelming moment that replays in my head from time to time, and just the maturity and wonder which it evoked so suddenly. All in a singular instance. Not due to some blowing out of birthday candles or some number on a calendar, but from a random instance in which to put it simply, I felt myself. . .growing up.
lyrics
I remember when we were mesmerized
By the fact that my older sister could drive
And we watched in awe as she drove away
We said when we’re older everything will make sense
And those girls that we once thought were our friends
We’ll understand why they did what they did one day
Ooh, but I don’t think about them half as much
As I used to
Cause now all I think about is you
Grace, ever since I got on that plane
It’s been your face on my mind
And if I could find the words I would,
Riding our bikes round the neighborhood
Guess growing up happens when you least want it too
Then we got our licenses
And we drove to each other’s houses
Before long we were packing up the car,
Boxes and books lining the floors
And we laughed and cried on the way to the airport
Ooh, I promise that I’ll call you
And I’ll see you in the fall
Grace, ever since I got on that plane
It’s been your face on my mind
And if I could find the words I would,
Riding our bikes round the neighborhood
Guess growing up happens when you least want it too
Looking out the window
See that small town in the rear view
And looking at it now, I think I’ve realized
Growing up happens when you least expect it too
And if I could find the words I would,
Riding our bikes round the neighborhood
Guess growing up happens when you least want it too
And looking at it now I can conclude
No matter the numbers on a page,
No matter the lines tracing your face
Growing up happens when you least expect it to
Somehow
I feel older now
credits
released August 19, 2022
Ann Gray -- vocals and guitar
Recorded and mixed by Johnny Terrell at Soul Haven Studios
A captivating indie-pop artist weaving introspective tales with infectious melodies. Her evocative vocals and honest lyrics
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