“You can’t make a good song with two lines” Ladytron: hold my birthday candles

"they take a polaroid and let you go, say theyll let you know" this is totally a song about the fashion industry.

Im 17 atm, can’t wait to come back to this at 21 (Edit) thanks for the likes I’ve never gotten so many, I hope you guys are doing well

this isnt just a critique abt the fashion industry. its ALSO abt society's beauty standards and how men feel abt women aging

Im glad this song is getting more attention

My mom hated my indie teenage taste in music...except this one she loved this song...

This song has such a darker undertone into 2020...

This hits hard while dancing in your room in barely clothing

I see people arguing about whether it's predatory behavior or the fashion industry and I say: why can't it be both?

This song reminds me of predators. how they want to prey on you because you’re young but as you get older your no fun because you know what they're doing.

It's not just about the fashion industry, it's about predatory behavior

people who are arguing about the message behind the song are failing to realize that the modeling industry and societal beauty standards go hand in hand. it relates to p*dophilia bc standards for women are that they are hairless, appear young, etc. ALSO there will be different interpretations of art bc everyone perceives things differently:)

'Seventeen' is about modeling agencies. "They only want you when you're 17, when you're 21 you're no fun." This is exactly how modeling agencies work. When you're 17 you're young enough to not have fully developed female curves yet, perfect for that skinny catwalk look, and old enough to legally work without all the parental hassle. When you're 21 you're considered an adult, have more female curves, plus harder to work with because of an adult mindset, as in knowing this is not a career you want to pursue, busy with university and (jealous) boyfriends. "They take a polaroid and let you go, say they'll let you know, so come on." 17 year olds go knocking on doors at modeling agencies, full of hope, thinking they're gonna be the next big thing. In reality you're just girl #186 that day. So they'll just take a quick Polaroid photo of you, write down your info on the back and they literally say "We'll let you know.." Just like any job interview, so yeah, come on.. All the young girls dancing in the observation room are resembling the hundreds of applications the agencies get on a daily basis, the staff walks around, keep making the application pile (all the Polaroids from the past few days) smaller and smaller till there is just one left, the best girl of that pile, who they might hire.

I think they're trying to say that they only want you when you're seventeen and that when you're twenty-one, you're no fun. Reading between the lines, that's the impression I'm getting.

They only want you when you're 2017, when you're 2021 your no fun!

Even the singing starts at exactly 0:17

one of the shortest lyrics and yet there artists nowadays who cannot put more meaning in their 6-album-long discographies

The song is a critique of the fashion industry, and their standards when recruiting models. It's unbelievable that so few people figured that out.

Writing this at 17. In a month and a half, I'll be 18, graduated, and going off to college. I haven't had a boyfriend, but I have gone to one singular party that I was invited to, but it was kind of mid as I went by myself. I went to homecoming, also alone, and I kind of intend on going to prom. I have about two true friends, and a couple of acquaintances, which will all change after school is over. Losing friends is something I'm willing to accept, as I know that I need to branch out and find people that are *really* for me. I have never been assaulted and hope to remain that way. I'm about 8th in my class when it comes to grades and I will be going to a nice university. I'm scared for the future. My fitness isn't ideal right now, but I'm at a "healthy" BMI. To the me who's reading this at 21, let me tell you this. As long as you're doing your best, that's all that matters. How you do anything is how you do everything, but it's ok to let yourself have a break once in a while. Eat good food, don't disrespect your body, listen to BTS, find good people you can trust, read books, study hard, talk to people, go to therapy, exercise once in a while, write poetry, write books, keep pursuing your passions, don't freak out about aging, and PLEASE manage a budget. You have tons of life left to live, even if it's when you're old. My grandpa is currently in intensive care, and I worry for his life. Whether he is still alive when you read this, I'm not sure, but please don't hang onto loss. Your loved ones would want you to live your best life while keeping them in your memories. Please love yourself

this song legit has like two lines and still has so many valid points

I distinctly remember being into this song when I was 17. Coincidentally I just bumped into this video again and I'm 21. Aghhh depressing.

I think this song is talking about how when you're younger, you are easy to mold, but as you get a little older and understand the world better, you are able to question authority and stand up for yourself and not do everything you're told, so it's less fun for the people who were once in power over you. Could apply to the modeling industry as well, as you can hear them sing about the whole polaroid thing. very interesting song! :)

I'm 17 now, I'll be back to cry when I'm 21 UPDATE: turned 21 October 8th and I was too drunk to even cry so☠️

The women beauty standards are literally just traits of children. Men are seen attractive once they get facial hair, deeper voices, taller and stronger, ect. Yet a women is cute when she has a high voice, skinny, clear skin, no body hair, ect. And honestly I'm sick of it.

I’m 21 and disturbingly I get less attention than when I was 17. Hearing this song gives be chills. It makes me sad.

I feel really bad cause I discovered this really good song thanks to tiktok😫 I failed

was into this when i was 16 and now i'm 28 :) great.

Thanks tiktok, I come to hear this song every day

Ladytron & Crystal Castles are AMAZING! And very unique!

LadyTron was one of my Dad’s favourite groups growing up, there was a guarantee that one of their tracks would be on one of his CD mixtapes. By August of this year, it will be Four years since he passed due to terminal cancer. Hearing their resurgence on Tiktok this past week and them getting more attention from Gen Z makes me really happy :)

They only want you when you're seventeen When you're twenty-one You're no fun Prince Andrew agrees.

I'm completely addicted to this song

I love this song but I cant help but hear the roblox sound when you die in the background💀

Literally discovered this song on my 17th birthday. I turned 21 on Wednesday, so I’m revisiting this amazing song.

You ever notice just how many songs involve being 17?

I wasn’t 17 or 21 when this came out but did listen to this song at 17 and jammed to it. Can’t believe next year the song will be 21 years

I dont know why i like this song so much.

stop saying y’all can’t wait till your 21........the meaning is going over a lot of y’all’s heads.

I'm 17 and I'm listening to this for the first time!

Omg where have I been this band belongs with the legends like Depeche mode, human league, John foxx etc I love them xx

My mom used to play this album all the time when I was a kid, can't believe I'm turning 21 this year. I will definitely play this during my birthday

This song came out in 2002 and I actually was 18 that year. I could have shaved a year of my life off just for this song, LOL!!!!

0:55 i like the ufo-ish sounds in the background lmao

I'm 48 I was only 35 when this was uploaded, how I wish I heard it then, could have saved me 21 years!

I think this song is not just a commentary on the fashion industry, but on society as a whole. Men are allowed to age and have wrinkles and grey hair and still be considered attractive(Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, etc), but most women in the public eye are discarded when they aren’t very young anymore. The only older women celebrities are the ones that have no signs of aging (Jennifer Lopez). Women are taught that they should be hairless, short and petite, have high voices, and to be innocent and submissive (all are characteristics of children). Women are mostly valued in society for our ability to fit the impossible beauty standard and to please men. I We are not valued as much on our maturity and intelligence. Once you are no longer oblivious to the world around you and you have lost your childlike features and you age(which is normal) you are no longer seen as of worth. Once you hit 30 you have reached your expiration date even though that is a very young age. The type of girl that men want is a young girl that is essentially a child. When you are 17, you have not yet realized what the world is like and are “more fun”. You are easier to take advantage of. When I was in my senior year of high school there were many men in their 20s waiting around for 17 year old girls. On porn websites there is a high demand for “barely legal videos”. When Danielle Brigolli turned 18 everyone was excited and there were comments saying they waiting for “so long”. When women are in their early 20s they are told to get settled while they still can so they don’t become an “old maid” while men are encouraged to settle down much later. There is so much more that I can add, but I will stop now lol.

I can’t stop vibing with this song

I used to listen to this when I was 15, now I'm 17🥲

This song has a special place in my heart, my dad introduced me to it and we’d listen to it together. It’s one that comes back into my head like every 3 years.

Really liked the austere matching uniforms on the band. Made them look like cool, beautiful merciless cyborgs.

i wish people would see past skin and age and appreciate people for their true, visceral beauty. beauty that is portrayed by their attitude on life and others. there was this older lady at a department store that helped me. super nice lady. she reminded me how she was once young...like every older person...and she still is that person! of course people worry about the inevitability of aging and how it makes them feel like a used car that depreciates in value from age...but like rare vintage cars that can make a statement, no matter what age you are, stand out by not giving a shit and be yourself because life is too short to worry, be sad and wish. enjoy it while you’re still here. vanity isn’t everything. in my opinion, the way you make others feel and how they remember you is more powerful and meaningful. please take care of yourself because no matter what age you are, you’re loved. thanks for reading.

i turned 21 today!! listening to this on repeat and for no reason at all!! i hate aging.

My biggest flex is that I know all the words too this song.

I remember being 17 and listen to this a lot. Today I turned 21. I'm about to find out if being 21 stops being fun. I'll prove otherwise.

"they only want you when your 20 to 29 when you have 30 youre not fun"

if ur here u have the best taste in music and i love u

Tonight I will celebrate my 17 years with this song

I was 17 when I kept listening to this song, now I'm 21

This reminds me of being 17 and chasing older guys. I’m almost 21 now and well... I’m no fun lol

it's like the Knife and industrial music had a musical lovechild -> Ladytron

Born in 87...this song still slaps

always the songs that are such bops with a painful but relatable meaning

Wow, that reminds me so much of the movie "Level 16". Their age, the uniforms, the room... I wouldn't be surprised if the producers of Level 16 were inspired by this song and video.

i turned 21 a couple months ago this definitely makes so much more sense now..

I was listening to this one I was in middle schoo.I didn't think anybody else liked them and felt so uncool. Now I'm 31 and this song is popular on TikTok and my teenage self is smiling.

It's like a dark counterpoint to Kraftwerk's The Model. :)

I love this song, I literally heard it when I turned 17. The beat is so much fun!

they literally used the same exact vibe for the movie level 16

Shouting this song but replacing “17” with the age of when you joined the 97% is therapeutic For me I count down the ages of me and people I know who were also victims

The song that started Ladytron. First time I heard it I was hooked! Going to see Ladytron live in Miami tomorrow. Yeah!

And after listening to 4 songs or so, I have decided in the last 10 minutes I have to buy Ladytron's entire collection.

I turned 21 this month so yay!

The beat reminds me of girls and boys from blur. Good songs

This song is so true for life. Love the beat. heh

I'm turning 17 this year. It feels crazy. I feel both like I'm supposed to be much younger and older at the same time.

¨You cant create a good song with two lines¨ Ladytron: watch me

I called this the pioneer of modern electro pop and electroclash

The song is about modeling and how quickly it slips away.

This gonna blow up again

I like the pulsating beat of this

I’m 20 this year turning 21 in September and for the first time in my life I’m horrified. I never thought I would live past 18 so to be at an age where I no longer feel beautiful is scary. I know 21 is nothing compared to 80-90 but I feel like my identity has been stolen from me before I even got to taste youth. Now I look at anti aging creams and worry about practicality. At 17 I was so worried about stupid things to taste the feeling of freedom. I miss the converse with cigarette burns and blood stains. I feel the volatility of youth. I will never let that mystique go. I’m with the same man I found at 15, he says I’ve changed since I was 17. He’s right. At 17 we are bulletproof but somehow the softest things on earth. Innocence prevails

Try it when your forty one no fun

I really think this is about the chaotic mind and soul when you're 17, but as you get older, you lost that chaos and you're not somebody people wanted anymore. Glad I'm still seventeen... gotta have some more fun.

When I was 17 I started dating a 23 year old I left him when I was 21 when I look back I realize a lot of things about that relationship I wish weren’t true… being taken advantage of at such a young age leaves you with so many conflicting feelings so many scares that can’t heal till you’ve grown old enough to see them often times a while after it’s over

the little "woo oou" is scaring me :c

I think this is about the modeling industry. Most models are chosen when they’re 17, and that’s when they start their careers. When you’re 21 you’re already too old to start.

i found out about this song when I was 17. since i turned 21 last week this is the only song thats been playing in my head and it s DEPRESSING

listening to this on my 21st birthday to remind myself that I'm no fun

the instrumental reminds me of Girls and Boys by Blur.

i first listen to this song when I was 13, thinking that the day pass 17 would never came to me, now I'm 18 and listen to it now just make me wanna die already.

It’s unreal to me that this song is back. We danced to this like crazy in the local gay bar when it first came out. It was glorious. I miss the Noughties.

Im so glad everyone finally explained this song to me.

I’m currently 17 Rn, and I can’t wait until I’m 21 to come back to this comment! I saw a comment that did something similar to this I want to try it too! Plz remind me in three years!

all the 17 and 21 yr olds banding together to sad twerk really warms my depressed heart

at 17, cool is what other people say it is. at 21, girls start to look for themselves and grow inside beyond control.

Watching / Listening to this great song 20 years later on the eve of 2022-2023. Those "17 teens" are now 37's, but I'm sure they're still fun! Great track ❤

Last hour I'm actually seventeen...oh boy can't wait for adulthood..

"it's been 85 years" now it's 2020 i still feel like bleak dancing to this.

Blunt, depressing and on point.

Great song and video

i need to remeber to watch this in 2 years