Album: So Long, Astoria (2003)

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• Kris Roe wrote this song when he was in his home town. He started taking pictures of places that had been important to him throughout his life (pictures that we see both in the music video and in the CD artwork). Taking these pictures, he started to build up his life in his mind and remembered all these things that had changed, how certain things were less or more serious to him and how he missed all those things that cannot do now that he's an adult - "Lighting fireworks in parking lots," doing all those 'young things' that were so much fun, when he had less to worry about and had time to do stupid little things. >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Carlos - Mexico City, Mexico

Comments: 6

• Jessie from Dallas, TxPretty amazing song
• Ashleah from Red Deer, CanadaI like this song alot, because the second verse was almost EXACTLY my summer of '05.
  I'll give some examples.
  -"Hanging out at truckstops just to pass the time."
  When I first heard that, I froze right up. There wasn't much to do around my old little neighborhood, so me, my best friend at the time Ashtyn, my boyfriend at the time Jeff, and my cousin at the time CJ one day decided to hang out at the Sobey's truckstop. It was kind of weird and random, and this whole time it's been part of a song..
  -"Lighting fireworks in parking lots."
  Let's go back to the same parking lot where Sobey's is. They weren't exactly fireworks, but sparklers are definately the next best thing! =)
  -"2015 Riverside, it's time to say goodbye."
  WELL! My old neighborhood is Riverbend. So That's almost Riverside. And then my breakup line for Jeff was, "It's time to say goodbye."
  -"Get on the bus, it's time to go."
  And then he got on the bus, because it was time for him to go.
  
  That's my story behind loving this song.
• Spencer from Windsor, CanadaThis is a great song and Kris is so talented it really depresses me because it sounds like he had a great childhood and i feel like i didn't half the things i could have. the line "I guess when it comes down to it, being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up, these are the best days of our lives".
• Tara from West Palm Beach, Fli like all the old school 70's 80's refrences. hanging out at truck stops just to pass the time. you know. its great it reminds me of being younger even though it has nothing to do with being THAT young. i love it. kind of a classic song here.
• Loki from Springville, UtI love this song. It is like my anthem for growing up. It makes me not as scared to leave behind the things of highschool, but just remember them as a better carefree time.
• Rob from Castaic, CaGood Song. Not the best on the CD, but still a good song.

More Songfacts:

TemptedSqueeze

The Squeeze song "Tempted" is one of their few with lead vocals by Paul Carrack, who sang the Ace song "How Long" and was in Mike + The Mechanics.

Room At The TopTom Petty & the Heartbreakers

One of Tom Petty's most personal songs is "Room At The Top," which he stopped performing because it brought back painful memories.

Private DancerTina Turner

Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits wrote "Private Dancer," which went to Tina Turner when he realized it wasn't a song for a man to sing.

Afternoon DelightStarland Vocal Band

The Starland Vocal Band got the title "Afternoon Delight" from the late-afternoon appetizer menu at the restaurant Clyde's Of Georgetown in Washington, DC.

True ColorsCyndi Lauper

With a message of acceptance and inclusivity, "True Colors" became a gay rights anthem. Cyndi Lauper help form an organization called True Colors United to help support LGBTQ youth.

Give It AwayRed Hot Chili Peppers

If what you get equals what you give away, you might as well give it all away. That's the concept behind "Give It Away" by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Editor's Picks

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.