02-27-19
In a slightly different approach to Apprehension, this song has always cast a scene of a person going through the effects of reverse Apprehension. Having lived a life of regret, not taking the opportunities, they now look fondly back on and wanting there to be some manner in connecting with the younger version of themselves.
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian supergroup comprising of members from all of Canada’s top Indie bands. Emily Haines of Metric takes the vocal leads of arguable Broken Social Scene’s most recognizable song. Anthems For a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl is a story told from the perspective of a woman who is looking back on the days when the world was limitless, and possibilities abound.
The song is pervaded by the melancholy chant “park that car | drop that phone | sleep on the floor | dream about me…” This can be seen as the singer realizing how far she is from the youth that she remembers, as well as a call for the person who is present now to stop what they’re doing to make their way back.
Apprehension often places us in positions of extreme stress. Most of us do not know how to immediately respond. This stress and inability to understand how to react, create debilitating reactions, making it near impossible at points to take any action, letting the world pass us by because we’re too afraid to move. I don’t know if that’s necessarily the point of this song; however it is the one that I hear.
The title of the song is a subtle reference to the original incarnation of Broken Social Scene when they were known as KC Accidental. KC Accidental’s only two albums were also named after “anthems.” This song is much more than an emotional pining for lost youth, but a way to try and reconnect with those points of beginning that drive the best of us.
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Now you’re all gone, got your makeup on and you’re not coming back
Can’t you come back?
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Now you’re all gone, got your makeup on and you’re not coming back
[Verse 2]
Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash under your breath
Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash under your breath
Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash under your breath
Bleaching your teeth, smiling flash, talking trash under my window
[Bridge]
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me
Park that car, drop that phone
Park that car, drop that phone
Park that car, drop that phone
Park that car, drop that phone
Park that car, drop that phone
[Outro]
Used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that
Now you’re all gone, got your makeup on and you’re not coming back