11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs

Reading Time: 11 min read

🎧 11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs features Dave East, Lauren Sanderson, Pink Sweat$, Sam Fender & Stevie Nicks.

h, to be SEVENTEEN again! What in the world would that feel like, and what changes would I make? I know that my thirtysomething self would make ample changes if I were to return to seventeen. Of course, we’ll never know! After compiling 🎧 Seventeen: 5ive Songs No. 10 (2022), an expansion – the deluxe edition – was inevitable. The key to 🎧 11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs? Why, the number seventeen (17), of course!

seal clapping 🎧 11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs features songs courtesy of 🎙 Dave East, 🎙 Lauren Sanderson, 🎙 Pink Sweat$, 🎙 Sam Fender, and 🎙 Stevie Nicks, among others. Let’s see, those names alone encompass rap, pop, R&B, singer/songwriter, and classic pop/rock. That sounds like some electric, eclectic $hit to me! So, without further ado, let’s dive right into these compelling SEVENTEEN songs, shall we!

1. Sam Fender, “Seventeen Going Under”

💿 Seventeen Going Under • 🏷 Polydor • 📅 2021

🎙 Bruce Springsteen is a superb choice for a musical icon, wouldn’t you agree? The Boss kicks ass at what he does, so, why wouldn’t you want to emulate/be inspired by his sheer excellence. 🎙 Sam Fender, one of the bright young singer/songwriter voices of the 2010s-20s, has that Springsteen influence, and it bodes well in his favor. He killed it on his 2019 debut, Hypersonic Missiles, and continues ‘kicking ass and taking names’ on 💿 Seventeen Going Under.

“I remember the sickness was forever

I remember snuff videos

Cold Septembers, the distances we covered

The fist fights on the beach…”

🎵 “Seventeen Going Under” commences the British singer/songwriter’s 2021 sophomore album. The record is superbly executed, featuring commanding, expressive vocals from Fender, exceptional songwriting, and bright production work courtesy of 🎛 Bramwell Bronte. Focusing on the writing, Fender is authentic and honest with his pen. He delivers poetry, but also slips in an f-bomb for good measure by the third verse (“See, I spent my teens enraged, spirallin’ in silence / And I armed myself with a grin / ‘Cause I was always the fuckin’ joker…”). Interestingly, the titular lyric doesn’t arrive until the end. The build up to that point is marvelous.

Appears in 🔽:

Seventeen: 5ive Songs No. 10 (2022)

2. Lauren Sanderson, “17”

**💿 Midwest Kids Can Make It Big • 🏷 Lauren Sanderson • 📅 2020**

“Why do I get in my own head? / Then she said, she’ll never love herself again.” 🎵 “17” appears as the 12^th track on 💿 Midwest Kids Can Make It Big, the 2020, debut studio album by 🎙 Lauren Sanderson. Throughout the course of 17, the twentysomething, LGBTQ standout delivers an expressive vocal performance. I love the sound of her lower-mid register. Furthermore, she never forces things; she’s even keel. In addition to her impressive pipes, I heart the rhythmic nature of the melody. It could be characterized as possessing a touch of hip-hop – there’s a hint of melodic rap.

Bitmoji Image Some other notes regarding “17.” It’s groovy from the beginning thanks to the rhythm guitar and drum groove. Thematically, “17” focuses on finding oneself – what’s your identity? “I got nowhere to go / Just me and myself and the static on the radio,” that she sings on the catchy chorus, continuing, “I got nowhere to be / I been lookin’ for a place since I was 17.” The honesty of the lyrics is one of the best aspects of this well-written song:

“Conversations with my inner self

I take my feelings and I put them on the highest shelf

Saving everybody else getting draining as hell

People tell you that you’re selfish when you love yourself.”

3. Broken Social Scene, “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl”

💿 You Forgot it in People • 🏷 Arts & Crafts Productions Inc. • 📅 2003

“Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that.” 🎙 Emily Haines sings lead on the 🎙 Broken Social Scene song at hand, 🎵 “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl.” “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” appears as the seventh track on their 2003 album, 💿 You Forgot it in People. Here, Hines sings from the perspective of her older self to her younger self, which is a compelling concept.

okay “Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash under your breath.” Throughout this four-and-a-half-minute gem, there are repetitive but truly telling lyrics. It’s always intriguing when a record features fewer, seemingly more abstract, or simplistic lyrics, yet doesn’t sacrifice depth. Sometimes, one questions if Haines is questioning how she’s changed as opposed to her more adventurous, teenage self. “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” was written by Haines, 🎼✍ Brendan Canning, 🎼✍ Charles Spearin, 🎼✍ James Shaw, 🎼✍ Jessica Moss, 🎼✍ John Crossingham, 🎼✍ Justin Peroff, and 🎼✍ Kevin Drew. Lots of writers, but ultimately, a terrific classic from the aughts.

4. Travis Scott, “NC-17” (Ft. 21 Savage)

💿 ASTROWORLD • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2018

“Bust it down, she talkin’ body language (It’s lit) / Eating that ‘punane’, got my bangs wet (eat it up).” Oh my… Among the best and most interesting rap albums of 2018 was undoubtedly 💿 ASTROWORLD by 🎙 Travis Scott. Safe to say, the Houston rapper finally had his ‘surefire’ moment artistically. Among the most elite cuts from ASTROWORLD is a smooth, club joint, 🎵 “NC-17”. As to be expected, “NC-17” is sexually charged to the n^th degree.

Bitmoji Image Case in point – the chorus:

“Me and my bitch, I swear we like the same sex

Fuck with all my chains on, let’s have chain sex

Hangin’ with the gang, you get your fangs wet

Wanna kick with the gang, you gotta bang it.”

🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 21 Savage guests on the second verse, the perfect match for this laid-back, minor-key banger. In true fuckboy fashion, Savage asserts early on, “Three main bitches thinkin’ they my main bitch / Hit the club and swap the hoes I came with.” NC-17 indeed!

Appears in 🔽:

5. Pink Sweat$, “17”

💿 Pink Planet • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

Cool, but energetic; never breaks a sweat, yet still packs a punch. These are some ways to characterize R&B singer/songwriter, 🎙 Pink Sweat$ (🎙 David Bowden). He’s quite potent, but he doesn’t rely on gospel histrionics to get the job done. Bowden impresses on “17”, a highlight from his 2021 album, 💿 Pink Planet.

Bitmoji Image “17” is sound through and through. Pink Sweat$ delivers a gorgeous, refined vocal – nearly perfectly executed. Beyond the vocal performance, the production is sweet, with Bowden collaborating with 🎛 John Hill. The backdrop is nothing too wild – drums, bass, light pop/rock guitar, and keyboards. The subtlety is a match made in heaven given Bowden’s knack for restraint as opposed to overt. Lyrically, it’s alluring too. The theme of love is nothing new, but the dedication that Pink Sweat$ sings about is awesome. “I would need a million words / If I tried to define / All the things you mean to me,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “Every time you touch me / You remind me that I’m still alive.” That last part is suggestive, but at the same time, Bowden doesn’t truly go left of center. The best moment is the chorus, which Bowden closes out singing, “I wanna love you as strong when we’re ninety-two / The same as seventeen.”

Appears in 🔽:

Seventeen: 5ive Songs No. 10 (2022)

6. Sharon Van Etten, “Seventeen”

**💿 Remind Me Tomorrow • 🏷 Jagjaguwar • 📅 2019**

“Downtown hotspot halfway up the street / I used to be free, I used to be seventeen,” 🎙 Sharon Van Etten sings in the first chorus of 🎵 “Seventeen.” “Seventeen” appears as the sixth track of her 2019 album, 💿 Remind Me Tomorrow. Van Etten calls this her New York record and addresses her 17-year-old self. In the first chorus, she adds, “Follow my shadow around your corner / I used to be seventeen, now you’re just like me.” Reflective!

quality content Sharon Van Etten delivers her most expressive vocals on the bridge. “I know what you’re gonna be,” she sings in a raw fashion, purposely lacking in finesse, adding, “You’ll crumble it up just to see / Afraid that you’ll be just like me.” While she’s not nearly as raw on the third variation of the chorus, she makes it clear that these folks, new to the big city, are like she was back at 17:

“Now you’re a hotshot, think you’re so carefree

But you’re just seventeen, so much like me.”

Worth noting, this colorful-sounding record (New Wave/alternative/synth-pop, etc.), blending guitars and synths, was written by Van Etten and 🎼✍ Kate Davis. It was produced by John Congleton. The results are utterly superb.

7. Alessia Cara, “Seventeen”

💿 Know-It-All • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2015

🎙 Alessia Cara starts her 2015 debut album, 💿 Know-It-All, off exceptionally. How so? Well, to the tune of highlight, 🎵 “Seventeen.” “I was too young to understand what it means / I couldn’t wait ‘til I could be seventeen,” Cara sings on the memorable, relatable record.

watered plant Cara continues singing, “I thought he lied when he said take my time to dream / Now I wish I could freeze the time at seventeen.” Ooh wee, child! Basically, “Seventeen” is a prime example of the old eager to grow up then wishing for time to freeze/slow down. “Seventeen” is certainly a terrific opening statement for the 🏆 Grammy winner.

Appears in 🔽:

Seventeen: 5ive Songs No. 10 (2022)

8. Troye Sivan, “Seventeen”

**💿 Bloom • 🏷 EMI • 📅 2018**

🎵 “Seventeen” commences 💿 Bloom brilliantly. 🎙 Troye Sivan gives an excellent vocal performance, showing off his stunning tone. His instrument is superbly accommodated with a lovely palette of pads/synths, courtesy of 🎛 Bram Inscore. Sivan wrote this compelling record from his sophomore LP alongside Inscore, 🎼✍ Leland, 🎼✍ Alexandra Hughes, and 🎼✍ Brett McLaughlin. Safe to say, they put in good work!

“You say that I’m asleep, but I wanna be awake

Got something here to lose that I know you wanna take.”

Bitmoji Image Thematically, “Seventeen” encompasses Sivan’s search for love, including losing one’s virginity. While the verses are well-penned, it’s the chorus earns the nod as the song’s best moment.

“I went out lookin’ for love when I was seventeen

Maybe a little too young, but it was real to me

And in the heat of the night, saw things I’d never seen

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, seventeen.”

9. Kevin Abstract, “Seventeen”

**💿 American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story • 🏷 QUESTION EVERYTHING, INC. / EMPIRE • 📅 2016**

“Football pads became a memory / A bad memory.” Hmm, that’s interesting 🎙 Kevin Abstract. Early on, Abstract has been incredibly candid and open regarding his sexuality. He’s gay, and he’s NOT going to stop talking about it. Sexuality plays a gargantuan role on 🎵 “Seventeen,” a standout from his 2016 solo album, 💿 American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story.

Bitmoji Image The sound of this two-and-three-quarter minute selection is distinct. With its guitar and piano accompaniment, and distinct sound, “Seventeen” has a pop/rock/alt R&B vibe. It was produced by Abstract, 🎛 Romil Hemnani, 🎛 Jeff Kleinman, and 🎛 Michael Uzowuru. More captivating than the sound is the content – the theme and lyrics. Abstract sings about a boyfriend, capturing the adversity of a relationship for various reasons, which is deep.

“He was everything I dreamed of

Used to ride around in his two-seater

Being friends didn’t make it much easier

…His girl too had to pretend like I ain’t mind that bitch

Just so I could see his face.”

Despite some darker moments, Abstract never fails to deliver beautiful, nuanced vocals. Another lyric that stands out occurs in the second verse is, “Ay, dog, got some problems we could run away from / Search for a tree that you could hang on, stay down.” Oh my… so much to unpack there from the 🎙 BROCKHAMPTON standout.

10. Dave East, “Seventeen”

**💿 Survival • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2019**

“Thinkin’ back when I was only seventeen.” 🎙 Dave East, like so many folks, reminisces back on his past self – his younger days. For him, it seems to be a tale of 💿 Survival and of course, coming up. Particularly in rap circles, the come up can never be overstated; it’s truly a victory lap. On 🎵 “Seventeen,” the east coast rap standout has lots to say.

Bitmoji Image “I was breakin’ weed down in my basement / Attached to my gang, so I could never leave.” Yep, 17 for Dave East was ‘rough around the edges.’ He’s ranked up from “Nights sleeping in my shirt thinking I won’t make it” to “Now, I got your favorite actress in here gettin’ naked.” It’s amazing when you get clout and drip how much the sex game improves – just saying! Anyways, in the second verse, he informs us, “You couldn’t tell me shit when I was 17 / Teachers told me I would never graduate.” Well, that’s horrible! Of course, East has ultimate done okay for himself, and I can’t blame him for saying, “Moving forward, I ain’t bringing up no old shit.” Woo! BANGER for sure!

11. Stevie Nicks, “Edge of Seventeen”

💿 Bella Donna • 🏷 Modern • 📅 1981

“But the moment / That I first laid / Eyes on him / All alone on the edge of seventeen.” One song comes to mind when you think about 🎙 Stevie Nicks: 🎵 “Edge of Seventeen” – DUH! “Edge of Seventeen” appears on Nicks’ iconic 1981 debut album, 💿 Bella Donna. Ah, those post-Fleetwood Mac days! “Edge of Seventeen” is a vibe start to finish, beginning with its driving, rhythmic guitar and of course, the drum groove. Vocally, Nicks sounds powerful, as a superstar should.

classic Besides the signature groove, I’d argue the chorus is one of the most memorable of all-time. Besides the catchy lyrics, “Edge of Seventeen” has a timeless melody, one I certainly wish I’d penned!

“Just like the white winged dove

Sings a song

Sounds like she’s singin’

Whoo-whoo-whoo.”

Woo, indeed! The song encompasses grief for a deceased uncle and assassinated musician John Lennon, as well as inspiration from friend Tom Petty and his first wife, who essentially named the song. The big takeaway from “Edge of Seventeen” – it’s one of the greatest songs of all time. Notably, it’s been sampled numerous times.

Appears in 🔽:

🎧 11 Utterly Compelling Seventeen Songs [📷: Anna Shvets, Artem Podrez, Arts & Crafts Productions Inc., Atlantic, Brent Faulkner, cottonbro, Def Jam, EMI, EMPIRE, Epic, Erin Li, Jagjaguwar, Lauren Sanderson, mododeolhar, Monstera,
The Musical Hype, Pexels, Polydor, QUESTION EVERYTHING, INC.]