Know someone who’s turning 22 and need the perfect music for their birthday? Or just want to relive the feeling of being 22? Either way, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best songs about being 22 ever.
“Unrung” by Turnpike Troubadours
Song Year: 2017
Turnpike Troubadours sings this song about a man who has married a woman that his friends do not think was the right choice. Since you can’t “unring” wedding bells, the friend tries to bite his tongue.
The girl is only 22, while the man is a few years older. The friends do not think she is mature enough to be getting married and that she is too controlling.
“22” by Taylor Swift
Song Year: 2012
This song has become the anthem for everyone’s 22nd birthday. It is all about having fun and realizing you are still young. Do not worry about your responsibilities and instead enjoy your younger years.
Taylor Swift sings this song to let loose and show the fun of being 22 years old. Sometimes you make bad decisions at this age, but it is your time to learn and grow.
“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
Song Year: 1977
Fleetwood Mac sings this song about the struggles of dating in your twenties. Some people are in it for the right reasons, while others are still playing games. You can learn from these types of situations and grow from them.
You can dream of a life in the future where everything works out, but that does not come to reality when you are 22 years old.
“Cheerleader” by St. Vincent
Song Year: 2011
This song by St. Vincent tells the mistakes often made when you are 22 years old. You find someone you occupy your time with and pour all your love into them to receive nothing in return. You do not realize all of the red flags because you are so young.
The song’s “Cheerleader” has spent her time being this man’s cheerleader and uplifting him for years. She knew better but played dumb because of her age, but she finally saw the light. She understands she does not want to be his cheerleader anymore and is breaking the ties.
“Younger Years” by Zach Bryan
Song Year: 2022
Zach Bryan sings this upbeat country song about all of the changes and struggles of your twenties. A big part of being 22 is looking for the person you will marry and spend the rest of your life with. At this age, you let go, move on, and find your way. This time in life often involves a lot of going out and a lot of drinking.
This song displays the pain and excitement of being 22 years old. It can be a fun time but also a difficult time. You need your good friends close to you as you navigate the pain of your younger years.
“Old Money” by Lana Del Rey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TGULdbFzyc
Song Year: 2014
Lana Del Rey sings this heartbreaking song about a woman missing her husband. The two young lovers are in their early twenties with two young children. She wonders where he has gone and why he has left.
She is waiting for his beckoning call, which she would run to in a heartbeat. She is dependent on her husband’s love to fill her emptiness inside and is willing to return to him after he has made up his mind to leave them.
“22” by Lily Allen
Song Year: 2009
This song by Lily Allen tells the story of a girl who feels behind in life. When she was 22, she looked young and had a bright future. The woman is now almost 30 with an alright job but not a career and no boyfriend or husband.
Lily Allen points out that society is wrong when it says that this woman’s life is over until she finds the man of her dreams. No life is the same, and you should not think of yourself as behind just because you have not married yet. You have your own life to live, and you might as well go out and live it!
“When Yer Twenty-Two” by The Flaming Lips
Song Year: 1993
The Flaming Lips sing this song about the repetition of life when you are twenty-two. Most people graduate college at this age and get their first 9-to-5 job. The lyrics explain how your life feels like you are constantly working against the machine.
You get stuck in a perpetual motion of work and forget how to live. You are going through so much change at this stage in life that it can be a difficult time.
“Leaves That Are Green” by Simon and Garfunkel
Song Year: 1966
Simon and Garfunkel sing this song about how quickly time flies. The man was 21 years old when they wrote the song but soon turned 22. He will soon be 23, demonstrating how fast time goes by.
He symbolizes time flying by with leaves that are green quickly turning brown. They will turn brown and wither away, flying in the wind. This metaphor demonstrates how quickly life changes.
“Land Locked Blues” by Bright Eyes
Song Year: 2005
This song goes through all of the pain of heartbreak when you are twenty-two. He does not want to cross paths with his past lover again, so he lets her choose where she will walk and claims he will walk the other way.
He thinks after twenty-two years, he should be used to the spin of the earth and the dizziness it gives him, and this metaphor conveys the pain, but it still hurts no matter what.
“Twenty So” by Zach Bryan
Song Year: 2022
This song by Zach Bryan tells of the difficult times of being in your early twenties. Most nights end by going to clubs and bars and enjoying the neon lights. You reach a point where you do not want this to be your life anymore, but with so much change, it is hard to get out of this habit.
After your early twenties, you find where you are supposed to be, and all of the pain of those years was worth it.
“Fell in Love at 22” by Starflyer 59
Song Year: 1998
Starflyer 59 sings this song about a man falling in love and getting married at twenty-two. Getting married this young causes one to grow up quickly and causes big life changes. The two find jobs and spend their days with their little family.
Their children grow up to be adults and have families of their own. This song shows the beauty of finding love and raising a family at a young age.
“Hurricane J” by The Hold Steady
Song Year: 2010
This song is about a man who has found a girl waitressing at a local restaurant. She is only twenty-two, and she gets a lot of attention from guys. This man thinks she is beautiful and wants her, but he does not want her to settle at such a young age.
He wants her to take advantage of her younger years and grow through experiences. She doesn’t want to wait, though, claiming life will only get harder as she gets older, and she is ready now.
“22 The Death Of All The Romance” by The Dears
Song Year: 2003
The Dears sing this song about a girl who fell in love at twenty-two. She claims she has never cried in anyone’s arms as she did in her man’s arms. To her misfortune, the man has been lying to her.
She has believed the lies for a while but finally realizes. After this experience, it is hard for her to believe in any romances in the future.
“Twenty Two” by Millencolin
Song Year: 1997
This song by Millencolin describes the feelings most people have when they are twenty-two. At this age, many of us do not know what to do with our lives. We still feel young but already feel behind in life. We have so many dreams but feel so far away from them.
Millencolin captures this feeling in their song. They describe the feeling of their life passing them by when really, it has just started.
“Overdue” by The GetUp Kids
Song Year: 2002
The Get Up Kids sing this song about a man in love with a girl who has been waiting on her for years. He claims she is overdue and that he cannot wait for her any longer. His biggest fear is letting go of her, but he knows he must if she is never going to be ready for him.
“She’s 22” by Norah Jones
Song Year: 2012
Norah Jones sings this song about a girl who is twenty-two and in love with a boy. She doesn’t know if he is really happy but tries her best to make him happy. She wants him to be happy but does not know how to make him happy.
The song is from the point of view of another girl who used to love the boy. She does not think the new girl makes him as happy as she could have.
Best Songs About Being 22, Final Thoughts
Your early twenties can be difficult, but all of these songs show that the feeling of being twenty-two is universal. While some people’s lives look different at that age, everyone can agree that it is a time of big change, and many of these songs tell stories of youth for us to relive through the lyrics.
Those were the best songs about being 22; which was your favorite?