The song "Never Young" by Harry Connick, Jr. explores themes of longing, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The lyrics express a sense of regret and a wish for someone else to have experienced the life the singer has lived. The song starts with the singer reflecting on the fun and privileged lifestyle they have enjoyed, riding in limousines and looking through the tinted glass. However, they admit that these experiences ultimately mean nothing to them. Despite their success, they feel a sense of emptiness and disconnection from the world around them. The singer acknowledges that they have lost touch with their youth, stating, "Seems I was never young." This implies a longing for the innocence, joy, and simplicity of their younger years. They express a desire for someone to have been there with them, to have witnessed their journey and understood their struggles. The singer feels isolated, as the girls they needed never truly knew them. They have fallen into a deep well, symbolizing a sense of loneliness and despair. The singer believes that if someone were to come and rescue them, they would share their "fairy tale" and open up about their feelings and experiences. They yearn for understanding, connection, and a sense of purpose. The lyrics then delve into the idea that childhood stages are temporary, and the singer wonders why they never fully expressed themselves during those formative years. They feel that they have dragged their emotions and experiences through various stages of life, never truly being able to speak out loud and share their inner thoughts and struggles. The singer expresses a longing for someone to be with them in the present moment, feeling that they have missed their chance to connect with this person. They are now in a state of seeing mostly "pallid grey," symbolizing a lack of vibrancy and joy in their current life. The song concludes with the realization that the singer has been so caught up in their own life that they never stopped to consider the experiences of others. They have lived their life without closing doors to new possibilities and have not taken the time to truly understand and appreciate the lives of those around them. Overall, "Never Young" is a poignant reflection on missed opportunities, the desire for connection, and the longing to reclaim the youthful spirit that may have been lost over time.
