OOC: I believe this is from a time when users did not write lyrics. If not, then the original has sadly been lost to time. This has been rewritten by myself for restoration purposes. Giving credit to the original owner of Michelle too for the song title.
Artist: Michelle Green
Title: Fifteen
Genre(s): Indie Pop, Alternative
Length: 4:15
Writers: M.Green
Producers: Elliot Hey
Label: La Familia
Original Album: The Voice of Me
Chart Peak: #2
Fifteen is a song by British singer-songwriter, Michelle Green. It was released on July 1st, 2010 and served as Michelle's debut single as well as the lead release from her debut studio album, "The Voice of Me". "Fifteen" was written entirely by Michelle, being one of her earliest creations and one which was penned prior to her official signing to Junction Records. The track was produced by Australian music producer Elliot Hey, who features heavily across Green's debut album. "Fifteen" was met with instant acclaim and success, debuting and peaking at #2 on the Hot 20 Singles Chart. Critics lauded Green's vocals and penmanship, branding her "beyond her years", a claim which followed the songstress throughout the earlier years of her career. The alternative, indie-pop style production was also praised, with many reviewers branding the release a "breath of fresh air". To date, the song is Michelle's fifth best-selling single of her career.
"Fifteen" is an indie pop song with elements of alternative, folk, rock and soul music fusing to create a "grand" soundscape. Michelle has been credited for playing piano on the song, an instrument which she would heavily utilise throughout the rest of her career. Alongside the piano, the song is built with a band of drums, guitar, violin, viola and a harp. Lyrically, the song chronicles Michelle's observations of a fellow classmate who appears jaded with life despite being such a young age whilst showcasing reckless behaviours and an unkind energy. As the song progresses, however, Michelle acknowledges this young person's hidden plight before tragic themes of teenage suicide come into play. Due to this, "Fifteen" was heavily used in anti-bullying and suicide awareness campaigns throughout British schools in the 2010s.
Michelle wrote:"Ah, my first baby. "Fifteen" quite literally changed my life and if any song was to do that, I'm glad it was this one. Not only is it one that I'm still proud of and think of fondly, it was also one of my most authentic at the time. Across that first album, I was really young - quite literally fifteen! I didn't have a lot of life experience so a bunch of the songs were totally made up. Whether that was from a random scenario that I conjured in my head or based on a story that I heard elsewhere, a lot of it was fictitious and an interpretation. "Fifteen", on the other hand, was based in truth. I wrote the song about a boy I went to school with. Originally, it was quite a spiteful track when I first sat down to pen it. I really did not like this boy. He was mean, he terrorised teachers, he stank of cigarettes, he got into scraps all the time. He just wasn't nice. I kind of just wanted to get things off my chest and call him out, really. Quite cowardly in all honesty considering that I had left school by this point. With that distance, however, and seeing it from the outside, I was able to empathise a lot more. The track shifted from something pointed to more of an open letter. It became more of a case of; "OK, this behaviour still isn't right but I see you and I hear you". It's something I never thought I would experience or feel as he was like most people's #1 enemy in school at the time."
"We hear things all the time about teenage suicide and all of the stigma, especially with young men. Men in general, actually. We're always shocked by it and the general response is either; "I had no idea!" or "I wish we could've done something!". Well, this was a case staring everyone right in the face and people chose not to challenge it. He may have been a bit of a menace but still quite literally a child. Looking back, especially now, it's clear as day that things weren't right at home and I wish the authority figures around him did more than just exclude him from classes. I'm glad that the song did go on to do some productive good, however. It became a bit of an anthem across schools in the UK. I know it was featured in a lot of anti-bullying videos. There's probably a whole generation of young adults triggered by hearing that song in lessons, ha!"
"Even though it wasn't a #1 and actually the lowest selling of the three songs from the first album, "Fifteen" still goes down an absolute storm live. When those tinkering keys of the intro trickle in, the crowd lose it. I always find it quite a perplexing song to perform because the sentiment is quite dark. It touches on teenage suicide and abusive home life but has such a euphoric sound - which was purposely done to reflect all the bravado covering things up. It's odd having an entire venue chant and dance to a song that's about your life feeling over at 15 years of age!"
"FIFTEEN"What's that you're choking on?
Your pride or your brother's menthols?
Too cool for your silly school education
Sure, I'll believe you're not looking for validation
Perpetual grunt, got a case of permanent Mondays
Just to think you're the life and soul of the parties
Try to tap into your Einstein ways of thinking
Catch a monochrome glimpse and my heart starts sinking
Acting like the big man 'cause you're so frustrated
Still in your school tie yet completely jaded
Bruising like the peach fuzz above your lips
Losing grip with those blistered fingertips
I see that bravado is all counterfeit
Pushing the buttons when you just want to quit
Over it all and you've only turned fifteen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seenOh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Over it all, only fifteen Girl next to you in Chem, she hates your guts
Though it's a fine line so you still shoot your shot
Perhaps you're just gutsy or genuinely can't tell
She's counting down the seconds, saved by the bell
You have to go and make things everyone else's problem
A silent scream, wishing someone else would solve them
You're not the only one with a chip on your shoulder
These cattle herding corridors ain't a field of clovers
Though, maybe this is actually your perfect sanctuary?
Away from home with an audience at your feet
Bruising like the peach fuzz above your lips
Losing grip with those blistered fingertips
I see that bravado is all counterfeit
Pushing the buttons when you just want to quit
Over it all and you've only turned fifteen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seenIf you're lucky, this is all just a phase
If you're lucky, you'll look back over these days
If you're lucky, someone will show you some grace
If you're lucky, the other foot will leave the grave
Isn't it a shame when it's someone else's problem?
Isn't it a shame when nobody could solve them?
Isn't it a shame when it's someone else's problem?
Isn't it a shame when nobody could solve them?
Isn't it a shame when it's someone else's problem?
Isn't it a shame, we just lost another one
Bruising like the peach fuzz above your lips
Losing grip with those blistered fingertips
I see that bravado is all counterfeit
Pushing the buttons when you just want to quit
Over it all and you've only turned fifteen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seenBruising like the peach fuzz above your lips
Losing grip with those blistered fingertips
I see that bravado is all counterfeit
Pushing the buttons when you just want to quit
Over it all and you've only turned fifteen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seenOh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Over it all, only fifteenOh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Over it all, only fifteenOh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Oh my Lord, all the things you must've seen
Over it all, only fifteenCan Be Compared To:
