21. ‘Momma’s Place’ – Roisin Murphy
Key lyrics: “Do you think you invented being bad?”
What it encapsulates: When you’re old enough to hear your parents’ stories and they’re better than yours.
22. ‘Song 4 Mutya’ – Groove Armada ft. Mutya Buena
Key lyrics: “Don’t react now, you can’t go back now”
What it encapsulates: A break-up, but also realising you’re a bigger person than you used to be.
23. ‘Time To Pretend’ – MGMT
Key lyrics: “Yeah it’s overwhelming, but what else can we do? Get jobs in offices and wake up for the morning commute?”
What it encapsulates: Growing up to the point where you acknowledge the world is bullshit, and therefore refuse to play by its rules. For a bit.
24. ‘Good Riddance’ – Green Day
Key lyrics: “Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go / So make the best of this test, and don’t ask why”
What it encapsulates: A break-up, but also coming to know that life is unpredictable.
25. ‘All My Rage’
Key lyrics: “All my rage been gone / I leave my rage to the sea and the sun”
What it encapsulates: Leaving teenage rage behind. Marling herself calls it “a bit of fun… about taking it all on the chin.”
26. ‘Coming of Age’ – Julia Jacklin
Key lyrics: “I had a life in my head / I’d be pushing up that hill until those toes bled / Now I gotta learn this new stage / Didn’t see it coming / My coming of age”
What it encapsulates: Getting there, and wondering why things aren’t quite so hard any more.
27. ‘Forever Young’ – Bob Dylan
Key lyrics: “Stand upright and be strong / May you stay forever young”
What it encapsulates: The importance of holding on to the bits of youth that matter.
28. ‘Why Does It Always Rain On Me’ – Travis
Key lyrics: “I’m seeing a tunnel at the end of all these lights”
What it encapsulates: The repercussions of that lie you told when you were 17? C’mon, grow up.
29. ‘Landslide’ – Fleetwood Mac
Key lyrics: “Time makes you bolder / Even children get older / I’m getting older too”
What it encapsulates: Change.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_PQ4fRQ5Kc
30. ‘The Suburbs’ – Arcade Fire
Key lyrics: “Can you understand why I want a daughter while I’m still young? / I want to hold her hand and show her some beauty before this damage is done”
What it encapsulates: The realisation of what your children will go through.