73 (Everything Changes)

Album: Thankful (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Jennifer Hanson told AOL Music the story behind this song: "'73' is my story. It really kind of wrote itself. I was home a few summers back, and I was looking at an old photo album of pictures me when I was little. My parents got divorced when I was six years old, but I found this picture of me, my mom and my dad when I was just a couple months old, and it was amazing to me how happy and in love they looked, because I don't remember them that way. And as I was looking through this photo album, I was kind of looking at my life unfolding before me: Once they got divorced, then it's me with my mom at Christmas time, and Christmas with my dad, and then my brother came along. My dad went on to remarry and have two more children, and there were no pictures of the three of us together until I graduated from high school. And it just really put everything in perspective. Like that one decision - them not staying together - changed the whole course of my life. But what I realized is I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so grateful of I'm where I'm at. That's the path I was supposed to be on. And there are people that wouldn't be in my life had they stayed together, like my brother and my sister. I've been amazed how many people have responded to that song. They come up to me and say, 'That's my story,' even though it's my story. They relate to it, because they've lived that, too. That's all you can hope to do as an artist and a writer is touch people."

Comments: 1

  • Robert from Englewood, FlThis song is a classic period piece.I just love this song.The pure quality of the recording, excelent harmonies, and strange lyrics and ending.I am a solo guitar player and I love playing this song but I've never had the courage to perform it in front of a live audience. I know people think the song is bubblegum, but it's way better than that.Plus, a one hit wonder, adding to the strageness of it.Loved it when it hit the charts, and still do.Would anybody out there play the Tamborine while I sing and play it?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.