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