The meaning and story behind Jackson 5's song "16 Candles" revolves around a young person expressing their love and admiration for someone who is turning sixteen on their birthday. The lyrics convey the narrator's affection for the birthday celebrant, emphasizing their hazel eyes and comparing the brightness of sixteen candles to the beauty of their eyes. The song suggests that the narrator wants their love interest to make a wish that they also love them in return. The first chorus highlights how the person turning sixteen holds a special place in the narrator's heart, referring to them as their teenage queen and the most beautiful person they have ever seen. The second chorus further emphasizes the significance of the sixteen candles, representing the bright and everlasting love the narrator has for the birthday celebrant. Overall, the song portrays a youthful and innocent love, expressing adoration and heartfelt birthday wishes for someone who has captured the narrator's heart.
