Meaning of "When I Was Young" by Riot

The lyrics of "When I Was Young" by Riot highlight the nostalgia and bittersweet reflections of the speaker on their youth. The mention of the speaker's father being a soldier then conveys a sense of the challenging and perhaps even traumatic environment they grew up in. The innocence and rebellion of youth are portrayed through smoking a first cigarette at ten years old and meeting their first love at thirteen. These experiences, although formative, are underscored by the realization of how much has changed since then. The repetition of "When I was young, it was more important, but much louder" in the chorus captures the sentiment of how youthful experiences often feel more intense and significant in hindsight. Overall, the lyrics evoke a sense of longing for the simplicity and intensity of youth, while also acknowledging the trials and tribulations faced during that time.