When You're Young

Album: Time of My Life (2011)
Charted: 81
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first single from 3 Doors Down's fifth studio album, Time of My Life. The single was released to iTunes on February 1, 2011.
  • Lead singer Brad Arnold wrote the song with Aerosmith and Def Leppard producer Marti Frederiksen. Arnold described the track to Billboard magazine as, "almost a mockery of how easy people think it is to be young. Young people always hear, 'This is the greatest time of your life...,' but it's not always that way, y'know?"
  • Arnold explained to Artist Direct what the song means to him: "So many times, older people look at young kids and say, 'Enjoy this time! It's the best time of your life,' when it's really not. Being young is hard. Everything's in front of you for the first time. Those things that are in front of you seem so much bigger than they do when you're looking back on them. I'm 32 now and looking back on my teenage years and before, a lot of it doesn't seem as hard as it did then because now it's behind me and I hardly remember it. You get the responsibilities of the world as an adult. However, when you were in high school, there was nothing bigger than that test on Friday. Now, you don't even remember what test it was [Laughs]. It's hard to be young. The song discusses that."
  • The song's music video was uploaded to YouTube on March 23, 2011. Arnold told Noisecreep about the clip: "This video symbolizes the struggles that we face as we fight to make our way through the seemingly narrow passages of our lives. It reflects our fight and our vulnerability. Ryan Smith and his team have done a wonderful job bringing the song to life through this edgy, cinematic delivery. I hope that everyone can see themselves in some way within the characters of this video."

Comments: 2

  • Dale Stevenson from Greenville, NcBeing an older man now, and listening to my mentors and sages of my youth. This song me more to me than just navigating life. It is a deep desire to fully know. Understanding that brings to mind philosophies on what living means by the varying approach we can take.

    Great song! Thanks for helping me reflect and know the questions to life are still being sought. A great music comes from the journey!
  • Megan from Wake Forest, NcI love this song. I'm in college and still considered young, but not like middle school or high school young. But I consider college easier than middle school (where I was bullied everyday and depressed); and this song is so easy to relate to. For me, it was harder to be young than it is now.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.