Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: punk-rock
Song Meaning of “’39” by The Porters
39 is a hauntingly beautiful/melancholic folk-ballad written by The Porters about taking their time, growing from moments, and not wanting to be rushed from childhood into adulthood. The song follows the singer along his/her journey of growing up, while nostalgically reflecting on the little moments they’ve experienced in life. The sing of “39” is a metaphor for taking time, slowing down and experiencing the small moments in life but also looking ahead to their future and their dreams. The lyrics evoke a feeling of bitterness in the narrator which speaks to the resistance of growing up and moving on from childhood. The chorus “we don’t have to be in a hurry, we’ll get there one day” is a reminder to take their time and enjoy every moment of life.
The narrator in the song also grapples with their inner growth, revealing:
“April days age me, I’ll soon be older than I ever thought I’d be
It takes too much time, too much to find, and it moves faster when I’m blind”
This speaks to the constant feeling of growing up faster than they want to, feeling like they’re not able to control how quickly things change and move on. The narrator finds comfort in the idea that although things are rapidly changing, they’re able to take their time and recognize the little moments that make up life.