Nothing can take me back
Like the smell of Play-Doh
Mommy is a preschool teacher
She's even the one teaching next door
I'm 5 years old and I'm climbing through the window
To hide out in her classroom
She says, "You're not supposed to be here"
I say, "Near you is where I belong"
Books are all I like, I prefer to be alone
So I'm happier when it rains
I go to Sunday school
But I'm not sure I believe in God
I'm 7 years old, life is easy
When I don't know something, I ask my mom
One day she said, "I don't know everything"
I lost faith in the universe
When I was 5, I just wanted to be 7
When I was 7, I couldn't wait to see the rest
Today, I'd prefer if time stopped
Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest
I'm sweeping dead leaves off the basketball court
The cold blisters my hands
I'm 10 years old, I'm a basketball fan
I dress like a little American
My dad, my hero, gave me
A pair of Jordan 8s with the velcro
So I do my best to make him proud
When he comes to all my games
I start middle school, they treat me like a spoiled rich kid
Normal, my shoes cost a fortune
I don't wanna wear them anymore, my dad gets mad
"You have everything! We had nothing!"
I'm 12 years old, I'm fucking around in class
In an effort to make friends
My music teacher kills himself
He's in teacher's paradise
When I was 11, I just wanted to be 13
When I was 13, I couldn't wait to see the rest
Today, I'd prefer if time stopped
Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest
I've fallen in love lots of times
But this time, it was reciprocal
I abandon all my friends like a coward
I only ever see my girl, we're smoking cigs
14 years old, I'm just a ghost
At least that's what my parents say
Babe wants me all to herself
Yet she's always in a mood with me
Since I'm moving, we break up
I tell myself love is overrated
My bro destroys me in basketball
So I give up
I'm 15 years old, I'm watching Kids over and over
I'm hanging with guys like Casper
My dad is hard on me
So I take it out on my brother
When I was 15, I just wanted to be 16
When I was 16, I couldn't wait to see the rest
Today, I'd prefer if time stopped
Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest
I'm going down the stairs, sick to my stomach
To get my report card before my parents do
At home, it's the Cold War
We don't understand each other so I keep my mouth shut
I'm 16 years old and I'm climbing through the window
To join the others at the skate park
We're drinking beers, we're smoking joints
And I'm describing it all in my raps
The years pass, maybe a bit too fast
That I don't dare sing how old I am
My brother is recording as I put the ring on
My sister is officiating the marriage
Those things I didn't dare tell anyone
Are the same ones filling up concert venues
Mom is here, my dad is proud
And the universe ain't so bad
When I was 16, I just wanted to be 17
When I was 17, I couldn't wait to see the rest
Today, I'd prefer if time stopped
Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest
When I was 5, I just wanted to be 7
When I was 7, I couldn't wait to see the rest
Today, I'd prefer if time stopped
Ah, it's not the destination that matters, it's the quest