TWICE's song 'When We Were Kids' encapsulates a nostalgic look back at youth, filled with innocence and dreams. The lyrics, penned by member Dahyun, reflect on the simplicity and purity of childhood and the desire to return to a time when everything was possible and life was less complicated. The song echoes the feelings of wanting to reconnect with one's younger self to remember and embrace the straightforward joys and dreams of that time.
The emotional journey of 'When We Were Kids' begins with a fond recollection of childhood, a time when curiosity knew no bounds and TWICE members, as illustrated by Mina and Chaeyoung, were inexperienced but pure of heart. The opening verses paint mini portraits of the past, tenderly tugging at the strings of memory, making listeners wistful for times when life seemed simpler and possibilities felt endless.
As Tzuyu and Sana take the pre-chorus, there's a yearning, a gentle plea to the universe – to let the singers never forget the genuine emotions they harbored as children. This transition into the chorus, where members like Nayeon and Jihyo elevate the emotional urgency, carries a bittersweet acknowledgment of growing up and the subsequent loss of childlike wonder. When TWICE speaks of 'invincible superheroes', it's a collective memory of the fearlessness that comes with youth and the contrast of current constraints now that they are adults.
The song deepens sentimentally in the second verse when both Dahyun and Jeongyeon meditate on shared experiences and creations that now carry heavier meanings in the light of growth and maturity. This underlines the dichotomy of aging: the greater meaning we find in past simplicities, coupled with a longing for the time when we didn't have to search for it. There's an emotional tug-of-war, where retrospect meets the gratitude of the present.
Concluding the track, repetitions of the refrain and chorus serve as an emotive beacon calling back to innocence, while simultaneously acknowledging the journey taken and the elevated understanding of love and life. A sense of circularity presents itself - a wish to converse with the younger self, a notion laden with both warmth and mournfulness. The song, thus, concludes on a note where nostalgia and growth coalesce: an ode to the past that remains intricately linked to the present.
"Invincible superheroes, 어른이 되고 싶었어"
This line captures the childhood aspiration of becoming superhuman - of being strong, fearless, and capable of achieving anything. It contrasts with the reality of growing up and recognizing one's vulnerabilities.
"Remember when we were kids, 어릴 적에는 몰랐었지"
The phrase signifies regret and hindsight. As children, they might not have fully appreciated those times, and now, as adults, they recognize what they've missed.
"다시 돌아갈 수 있다면, 더 많이 사랑할 수 있을 거야"
Reflecting on the possibility of returning to youth, this sentiment conveys a desire to experience more love, perhaps with increased intensity and mindfulness.
"This story, 함께 펼쳐 나간 pages"
These lyrics suggest their shared history, like pages in a book they've written together, symbolizing the journey and memories they've created as a group.