Boy
Navigating Guilt and Growth: Jackie Paper's Reflection in 'Boy'
Lyrics
Who are you now?
Questioning the present identity of the individual
You are what you dreamed about
Describing the current state as something previously aspired or imagined
How old are you now?
Asking about the current age
Too old to push this down
Too mature or grown to suppress certain emotions or experiences
Tried to leave it be
Attempted to ignore or let something be without addressing it
Blocking arteries
Metaphorically referencing emotional blockages or obstructions
Tried to leave it be
Repeated attempt to disregard or avoid a situation
Bruises turning green
Physical or emotional marks starting to heal
It's not your fault
Assuring that a certain situation or issue is not the person's fault
It's not your fault, boy
Reiteration that a particular circumstance is not the individual's responsibility
It's not your fault
Repeated reassurance that guilt should not be felt for a specific matter
It's not your fault
Continued affirmation that blame is not to be placed on the person
Boy, is it hard to clean your room?
Asking about the difficulty of organizing or managing personal space
Boy, is it hard to listen to me?
Questioning the challenge of paying attention or following instructions
A boy in the world, on the loose
Depicting a young male navigating the world freely
A boy who was kept in his room
Referencing a boy who was confined or restricted to a space
Couldn't leave it be
Inability to let go of a situation or feeling, lingering over someone
Standing over me
Metaphorically described as standing dominantly over someone
Couldn't leave it be
Continued difficulty in releasing or moving past a particular issue
Wish you'd said to me
Expressing a wish for clearer communication or expression of feelings
It's not your fault
Reassurance that a situation is not the individual's fault
It's not your fault, boy
Repeatedly emphasizing that blame should not be placed on the person
It's not your fault
Continued affirmation that guilt is not to be carried for a specific matter
It's not your fault, boy
Reiteration that responsibility should not be shouldered for a certain situation
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