Jason Gray - When I Grow Up Lyrics
Lyrics
Been thinking maybe I was wiser when
I was young and life was innocent
A mustache from my Kool-Aid
You could fix my whole world with a Band-aid
Got me thinking 'bout what Jesus said
About the simple faith of little kids
They've got the keys to the kingdom
The more I live the more I wanna be one of them
When I grow up I wanna be a child again
Til my faith feels like I'm walking home with my best Friend
In the light of a summertime that never ends
When I grow up I wanna be a child again
I wanna be a child again
No time for holding on to bitterness
Why do that when we could play instead?
'Cause who needs more drama
When the living room floor is lava
Kicking clouds on the playground swing
Never thought I had to prove a thing
I had the keys to the kingdom
I let 'em go but he told me where to find them
When I grow up I wanna be a child again
Til my faith feels like I'm walking home with my best Friend
In the light of a summertime that never ends
When I grow up I wanna be a child again
I wanna be a child again
Bring me back to A, B, Cs and my 1-2-3s
Curiosity times infinity
Trusting somebody was always watching over me
Fill me up with the wonder
So every day I'll get a little bit younger
When I grow up I wanna be a child again
Where life feels like I'm walking home with my best Friend
In the light of a summertime that never ends
When I grow up I wanna be a child again
I wanna be a child again
Video
Jason Gray - "When I Grow Up" (Official Audio Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Jason Gray's poignant reflection, "When I Grow Up," released on June 2, 2023, as part of the *Good Man / When I Grow Up - EP*, arrives as a gentle yet profound call to a foundational truth often lost in the complexities of adult life. The song beautifully articulates a yearning for the unburdened, uncomplicated faith of childhood, a spiritual state that Jesus Himself uplifted as essential for entering the Kingdom of God. It's a journey back to innocence, not in a naive sense, but in seeking a renewed perspective of trust, wonder, and unshakeable connection with the Divine, shedding the burdens accumulated over years.
The song opens with a thoughtful admission, recognizing a lost wisdom from younger days, a time when life felt "innocent." Gray reminisces about the simple joys and quick fixes of childhood – a Kool-Aid mustache or a Band-Aid to mend a "whole world." This sets the stage for the core message, directly referencing Jesus' profound teachings about children and their simple faith. As Matthew 18:3-4 records, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Gray’s verses echo this sentiment, acknowledging that children possess "the keys to the kingdom," and expressing a deep desire to embody that very spirit in his adult life. It's a realization that spiritual growth isn't always about accumulating more knowledge or experience, but sometimes about unlearning and returning to a pristine state of dependence and trust.
The chorus then becomes the song's prayer and declaration: "When I grow up I wanna be a child again / Til my faith feels like I'm walking home with my best Friend / In the light of a summertime that never ends." This imagery evokes an intimate, secure relationship with God, portraying Him not as a distant deity but as a cherished "best Friend." The longing for faith that feels like "walking home" speaks to a sense of belonging, safety, and ultimate comfort. The "summertime that never ends" paints a picture of eternal joy and peace, aligning with the Scriptural promise of new heavens and a new earth where there is no more sorrow or pain, only unending presence with God (Revelation 21:4). This isn't regression, but rather a spiritual maturation into child-like faith, recognizing God's faithful companionship as described in John 15:15, where Jesus calls us friends.
In the second verse, Gray contrasts the bitterness and drama often inherent in adult relationships with the unreserved playfulness of a child. He asks, "No time for holding on to bitterness / Why do that when we could play instead?" This reflects the Gospel's call to forgiveness and freedom from grudges, reminding us of Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 4:32 to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." The vivid imagery of the "living room floor is lava" captures the imaginative joy and complete immersion children find in their present moment, a stark contrast to the anxieties and need for validation that often plague adults. "Never thought I had to prove a thing" beautifully encapsulates the freedom from performance and self-justification that Christ offers, allowing us to cast all our anxieties on Him, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7. The poignant line, "I had the keys to the kingdom / I let 'em go but he told me where to find them," powerfully illustrates humanity's tendency to stray from simple faith and God's unwavering grace in guiding us back to it.
The bridge further articulates this desire for spiritual reset, asking to be brought "back to A, B, Cs and my 1-2-3s," symbolizing a return to fundamental truths and foundational understanding. This quest is coupled with "curiosity times infinity," a boundless wonder that aligns with the spirit of Romans 12:2, which calls us to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." The profound assurance of "Trusting somebody was always watching over me" speaks to the absolute security found in God's providential care, echoing the shepherd's comfort in Psalm 23:1. The song concludes by wishing to be "filled... with the wonder / So every day I'll get a little bit younger," suggesting a spiritual rejuvenation that defies chronological age. It's a prayer for continuous transformation, for minds and hearts to be perpetually renewed in the simple, yet profound, awe of God. "When I Grow Up" serves as a beautiful invitation to all who feel the weight of adulthood to rediscover the liberating simplicity of faith, finding true wisdom and peace in becoming like a child once more in the loving presence of our Creator.