The song "Daughter" by EXES explores themes of nostalgia, first love, and the passage of time. The narrator reflects on their current stage in life, feeling the pressure to settle down and buy a house. They admit that while they still feel emotions, being with their current partner does not evoke the same intensity as their past love. The lyrics reveal a longing for the innocence and purity of their younger years. The narrator reminisces about being seventeen, celebrating Halloween, and swimming at a friend's house. These memories represent a time of carefreeness and joy, making their world feel complete and stopping time momentarily. The narrator wishes to pass down these memories and experiences to their future daughter. They hope that she will fall in love with someone as bold and passionate as their first love. By sharing stories of their own first love, they aim to inspire their daughter and preserve the nostalgia and wonder of young love. As the song progresses, the narrator contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and mortality. With age, regrets diminish and death feels closer, giving the narrator a heightened sense of urgency to remember and cherish their past experiences. Overall, "Daughter" by EXES is a bittersweet and reflective song that encapsulates the longing for youthful love and the desire to pass down cherished memories to future generations.
