Meaning of "Teachers" by Young The Giant

"Teachers" delves into the transition from youth to adulthood and the impact of city life on personal growth. The initial lines acknowledge the efforts of teachers who try to shape us but assert that now that the narrator is grown up, they must face tests and challenges on their own. The reference to the city making one "gold" suggests that the city can provide opportunities and success, but at the cost of leaving behind friends and the simplicity of youth. The longing for lost friendships is expressed through crossed-off names, a symbol of people who have perhaps been left behind or forgotten.

The lyrics further explore the difficulties of maintaining sanity in the face of temptation. The narrator acknowledges that temptation is friendly and hard to resist, making it challenging to stay grounded and rational. The desire for release, which could be interpreted as an escape from the pressures of adulthood, is a recurring theme. The lyrics convey a sense of yearning for freedom from the constraints and responsibilities of grown-up life. This desire for release is closely tied to the inability to stop dreaming, implying that the narrator's dreams serve as a form of escapism or a way to cope with the challenges they face.

The mention of being awake in a parking lot and a car on Hollywood Boulevard adds a sense of disconnection and disillusionment. These iconic locations are symbolic of the fame and glamour associated with Hollywood, but the lyrics question whether this is truly who the narrator is or wants to be. The repeated plea to "run now" suggests a desire to break free from the constraints of city life and regain a sense of identity and purpose.

Ultimately, "Teachers" captures the conflicts and contradictions that arise with adulthood and the allure of city life. It explores themes of nostalgia for the past, the struggle to stay true to oneself, and the quest for release and fulfillment. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and uncertainty, painting a picture of the complexities of growing up and finding one's place in the world.