Heart-Wrenching T-Shirt: Growing Up Kills Dreams

The When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies T-shirt is inspired by the song of the same name by the band GUNSHIP. The song, released in 2018, explores themes of nostalgia, adulthood, and the loss of innocence. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their emotions, take risks, and create their own destiny. The T-shirt, made from 100% combed organic cotton, is a popular merchandise item for fans of the band and the song, featuring the song's title as a bold statement.

The song's uplifting message

The song "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" by GUNSHIP contains an uplifting message that encourages listeners to stay strong and resilient in the face of life's challenges. The song acknowledges the difficulties and complexities of adulthood, but also offers hope and motivation to keep fighting and believing in oneself.

In the song, GUNSHIP addresses the common sentiment that growing up can sometimes feel like a loss of innocence, joy, and freedom. The line "When you grow up, your heart dies" captures this sense of disillusionment and the realization that adulthood can be filled with responsibilities, worries, and exhaustion. However, the song encourages listeners to not let their hearts die and to keep them burning with passion and hope.

The uplifting message of the song shines through in the chorus, where the band urges listeners to keep moving forward. Phrases like "Don't let your heart die," "Don't care what anyone else thinks," and "It's just a bad day, not a bad life" empower listeners to stay resilient and remember that difficult times are temporary. The song also emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and creating one's own destiny, reminding listeners that "Life is worth the risk" and to "Live long and prosper."

Another key message in the song is the importance of human connection and support. Lines like "I'll always be there for you" and "We always have each other" remind listeners that they are not alone in their struggles and that they have a support system to lean on. This sense of camaraderie and community can be a powerful source of strength and motivation.

Additionally, the song encourages listeners to embrace their emotions and be vulnerable. By acknowledging the presence of both good and bad days, the song normalizes the ups and downs of life and encourages listeners to feel their feelings fully. This honest and open approach to emotions is empowering and helps listeners feel less alone in their struggles.

Overall, "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" by GUNSHIP is an uplifting and empowering anthem that encourages listeners to stay resilient, believe in themselves, and embrace the support of others. It serves as a reminder that while growing up can be challenging, it doesn't have to mean the end of joy and passion. Instead, it can be a journey of self-discovery, growth, and the creation of one's own destiny.

Fan interaction with the song

One fan on Bandcamp, indosirk, highlights the line "Believe in yourself and create your own destiny" as a particular source of cheer. Another fan, GT_como, calls it "one of the best songs I can happily say I ever bought on Bandcamp" and notes how the song has stayed with them, popping up in their brain like some memorable moments in their life.

On Reddit, fans of the song have shared similar sentiments, with one user expressing how the song is "exactly what I need, when I need it!" and how it "tears me up every time". The same fan also expresses relief that they are not the only one who feels this way, highlighting the power of the song in fostering a sense of community and connection among listeners.

The song's impact is further emphasised by another fan, who wishes they could "find all of you [other fans] and hug you and tell you how much I hate the world too". This sense of shared emotion and understanding is a testament to the song's ability to resonate with listeners on a deep level.

The inclusion of fan-made messages in the song has also been a unique and well-received aspect of the fan interaction. One fan on Reddit expresses their delight in discovering this, saying, "These were actual fan-made messages put into the song? That's awesome!". The fan messages, submitted by over 1000 people, range from comforting words of encouragement to powerful statements about taking control of one's life.

Overall, the fan interaction with "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" has been overwhelmingly positive, with listeners finding comfort, inspiration, and a sense of community in the song's lyrics and themes. The song has clearly struck a chord with many, serving as a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that there is still good in the world.

The song's lyrics

The song "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" by GUNSHIP is a powerful and emotional track that resonates deeply with its listeners. The lyrics explore the complexities of adulthood and the loss of innocence that comes with growing up.

The song begins with an intro that sets the tone: "When you grow up, your heart dies. Who cares? I care." This is a reference to the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, capturing the sentiment of youthful rebellion and the fear of losing one's sense of self as one matures.

The first verse continues with the theme of holding onto something precious: "Just keep holding that secret code by your side." The pre-chorus then introduces a sense of urgency and the need for connection: "Somebody call, somebody call it (Don't go)/ Don’t let it go, don’t let it go (Just stay)/ Without somebody to hold, without somebody."

The chorus is a passionate plea: "You're on fire/ The way you dance with the devil tonight/ You're on fire/ You got that last dance look in your eyes/ Just like a movie/ Don't let your heart die." The imagery of fire and dancing with the devil conveys the intensity and danger of giving in to temptation.

The second verse introduces the idea of escaping with temptation: "Hey temptation, escape with me/ Just some flashing lights and some tyre smoke is all that we need." This is followed by a repetition of the pre-chorus and chorus, emphasizing the desire to hold onto something or someone amidst the chaos.

The post-chorus adds depth to the narrative: "You're on fire/ Just like a movie/ A suicide of a perfect mind/ Promise, don’t let your heart die." Here, the song explores the idea of a mind or soul being destroyed by the challenges of adulthood, a common fear among those transitioning from youth to maturity.

The interlude offers words of encouragement and hope: "Whatever will be, will be/ Don't care what anyone else thinks/ You'll be okay, I promise/ Just keep on keeping on/ It's just a bad day, not a bad life." It reminds the listener that despite the difficulties of growing up, there is still the potential for happiness and fulfillment.

The bridge encourages resilience and perseverance: "Keep running on/ Just hold on/ Just fight on/ Until the sun goes down/ Just remember when you grow up, your heart dies." It acknowledges the pain of growing up while urging the listener to keep fighting and never give up.

The outro provides a sense of empowerment and self-determination: "There's no fate but what we make for ourselves/ We always have each other/ Keep your head up, kid/ Always fear regret more than failure/ Stay true to yourself/ There is still good in the world." These final lines offer a message of hope and the belief that one can shape their destiny, despite the challenges and losses that come with growing up.

"When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" is a poignant and relatable song that captures the angst and emotional turmoil of transitioning from youth to adulthood. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of losing one's innocence and navigating the complexities of mature life, striking a chord with listeners who have experienced similar struggles.

The song's music video

The music video for "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" by GUNSHIP is an emotional and powerful visual accompaniment to the song's poignant lyrics. The video begins with a close-up of a young person holding a photo of themself as a child, smiling and full of hope. As the song progresses, we see a series of scenes depicting the struggles of adulthood, including shots of piles of bills, a lonely figure in a dimly lit room, and a person struggling to choose healthy food options at a supermarket while being tempted by junk food.

The video then cuts to a group of people of all ages and backgrounds, each holding a sign with a different message written on it. These signs display uplifting messages from the song's lyrics, such as "It's just a bad day, not a bad life," "Believe in yourself and create your own destiny," and "Don't fear failure." The camera pans across the group, showing the diversity of human experience and the universal nature of the song's message.

In the chorus, the video alternates between intense dance sequences and fiery visuals. The dancers move with passion and emotion, their movements reflecting the struggle and determination in the song. The fire serves as a powerful metaphor for the challenges of adulthood and the need to keep fighting.

As the bridge of the song begins, the video shifts to a montage of home video footage. We see joyful moments from childhood, such as birthday parties, family vacations, and playful moments with friends. These nostalgic scenes contrast with the struggles of adulthood depicted earlier in the video, reminding viewers of the innocence and joy of youth.

The final chorus brings all the elements together, with the dancers performing in front of a backdrop of flames, while the group from earlier stands together, their signs raised high. The video ends with a close-up of a person's hand letting go of a paper heart, which floats gently downward, symbolizing the release of the weight carried by the song's message.

Throughout the video, the visuals complement the song's lyrics and themes, creating a powerful and moving experience. The use of symbolism, diverse casting, and emotional performances come together to bring the song's message of hope and resilience to life, reminding viewers that while growing up can be challenging, it doesn't have to mean the death of one's heart.

The song's creation

The Songs Creation

The song "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" by GUNSHIP was created very late in the album creation period. It was written by Dan Haigh, Alex Gingell, and Alex Westaway of the band. The song came about when one of the writers, Dan Haigh, woke up and panicked that a particular emotional feeling and mood were missing from the new material. He locked himself in the studio and let all other responsibilities slide, and the track came together in a single day, which was very fast for him. The song includes fan submissions, with over 1000 submissions being listened to and a montage of the best parts making it into the final track. The song also features the band members' families singing at the end.

The song includes many 80s and 90s movie quotes, including "Who cares? I care" from The Breakfast Club and "There's no fate but what we make for ourselves" from Terminator. The lyrics also include uplifting messages such as "Believe in yourself and create your own destiny", "Don't fear failure", and "It's just a bad day, not a bad life". The song has resonated with many fans, who have shared their struggles and how the song has helped them.

The creation of the song was a collaborative effort, with fan participation and family involvement, adding to the emotional depth of the track. The writers' willingness to experiment and trust their instincts, despite the last-minute addition to the album, paid off, resulting in a song that has touched the hearts of many listeners.

The song's message of hope and resilience in the face of life's challenges is a testament to the power of music to move and inspire people. "When You Grow Up, Your Heart Dies" serves as a reminder that even in the midst of hardship, it is possible to find strength and create your own path. The song's uplifting message and emotional impact have left a lasting impression on its listeners, offering a sense of comfort and encouragement during difficult times.

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