Giveon’s 2025 track “Twenties” is an R&B song about the challenges of youth, love, and heartbreak. It’s about the struggles of investing time in a relationship during one’s twenties, capturing feelings of regret and lost opportunities.
Below you’ll find a section-by-section breakdown of the lyrics in “Twenties.”
- Song: Twenties
- Artist: Giveon
- Songwriters: Giveon Evans, Matthew Burnett, Jahaan Sweet, Jeff Gitelman, Rupert Thomas Jr., Maneesh Bidaye
- Released: 2025
- Album: Beloved
- Genre: R&B
What is “Twenties” About?
Verse 1: Regret and Realization
How was I supposed to know
This is how it’s gonna go?
These opening lines express confusion and disbelief about how the relationship has unfolded.
There’s a feeling of shock that things didn’t turn out as expected.
Thought that if I put you first enough
We would last for sure, last for sure
These lines reveal a common belief among young lovers: that prioritizing a partner would guarantee a lasting bond.
This highlights youthful naivety, where love is seen as the only ingredient for success.
Remember our first kiss, was in a rental car
Now I kinda wish it was a hit and run
Here, he recalls a sweet moment that contrasts sharply with current regrets.
The desire for a “hit and run” suggests a wish to escape from the pain of the relationship.
Crazy I let you get this far
But I was just young and dumb
Acknowledging mistakes, these lines capture the essence of youthful impulsiveness. They show how easily someone can get caught up in love without noticing the warning signs.
Pre-Chorus: Acceptance of Responsibility
Six years gone down the drain
I guess I’m half to blame
In this pre-chorus, there’s an acknowledgment of wasted time and a shared sense of responsibility for the relationship’s failure.
This is a mature realization that both parties played a role.
I didn’t know, I didn’t know I’d be wasting my time
The repetition emphasizes the deep regret of spending valuable years on something that ultimately wasn’t fulfilling.
It’s a relatable frustration for many who have been in similar situations.
Chorus: The Burden of Lost Time
Spending my twenties on you
I poured my heart in it
This shows the real cost of the relationship, the time and love given but not returned.
He’s feeling those frustrating feelings of loss and sacrifice.
Don’t get me started
Spend my time wondering why
I spent my twenties on you
This part reveals growing frustration and disbelief.
He grapples with the realization that so much time was devoted to someone who didn’t appreciate it fully.
Verse 2: Self-Discovery vs. Dependency
Thought I was learning myself
I was just learning you
These lines highlight the mistake of confusing love for self-discovery. They suggest that instead of growing individually, the focus was solely on the partner.
Is anything black and white
When you’re barely twenty-two?
Here, there’s a questioning of clarity in relationships during young adulthood. It captures the confusion that comes with trying to navigate emotions at a young age.
Clung onto you like a shirt to a sweater
Hung onto you ’cause I didn’t know better
These lines depict a desperate attachment to the relationship due to a lack of experience.
The imagery conveys a need for security and comfort that wasn’t truly present.
I just felt like time was runnin’ out
I could tell the ship was goin’ down
I was so young and dumb
This culmination of feelings expresses a sense of urgency and impending loss.
The recognition that the relationship was failing is painful, underscoring the reality of youthful mistakes.
“TWENTIES” Song Meaning: Lessons from Youthful Love
The central themes in “TWENTIES” revolve around the complexities of young love and the regrets that often accompany it. The lyrics emphasize the confusion, heartache, and personal growth that emerge from these formative experiences.
Giveon captures the struggle of balancing personal identity with the demands of a relationship. The song serves as a reminder that while these moments can be painful, they are essential in shaping who we are.
Songs Like “Twenties”
If you enjoy “Twenties,” you might like these songs:
1. “Lost Me” by Giveon
“Lost Me” dives into themes of heartbreak and the pain of losing someone. It resonates with the feelings of regret and emotional struggle found in “Twenties.”
2. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is about the ups and downs of a tumultuous relationship. It conveys a sense of empowerment after a breakup, aligning with the themes of moving on found in “Twenties.”
3. “Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey
“Youth and Beautiful” examines the fleeting nature of youth and love. The longing for connection and the fear of losing it echoes the emotions expressed in “Twenties.”
Related: Best Songs About Time
4. “Hold On” by Justin Bieber
“Hold On” is about perseverance in love and facing challenges. It highlights the importance of commitment, similar to what’s going on in “Twenties.”
Conclusion: Navigating Youthful Relationships
In “Twenties,” Giveon effectively portrays the ups and downs of young love. The song reminds listeners that these experiences, while painful, are vital for personal growth and understanding. It’s a track that resonates with anyone who has felt lost in a relationship while trying to figure out their identity.
Be sure to check out more 2020s Song Meanings!
