Singing along at a 5 Seconds of Summer concert is truly a magical experience. Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood and Ashton Irwin write songs that create a sense of unity between the fans and the band when everyone sings together. In honor of 5SOS being on a world tour for their sophomore album, here are 11 meaningful lyrics from "Sounds Good Feels Good."
1. "She's Kinda Hot" - "When you’ve got bigger plans that no one else understands / You've got a shot though"
By just glancing at the title of the song, you wouldn’t think that “She’s Kinda Hot” could have a meaningful message. It’s just a song about some attractive girl, right? Wrong. The lyrics above encourage listeners to follow their dreams even when others do not believe in them. “She’s Kinda Hot” is about unapologetically being yourself despite what people think or say.
2. "Hey Everybody" - "We can't afford to give up / We gotta make our own luck and it goes oh"
Similar to “She’s Kinda Hot”, the above lyrics from “Hey Everybody” are a reminder to not give up on your passion, no matter the circumstances. It will take dedication and hard work, but dreams can be achieved.
3. "Jet Black Heart" - "The blood in my veins / Is made up of mistakes / Let’s forget who we are / And dive into the dark / As we burst into color / Returning to life"
sung) countless times, it can be difficult to forgive ourselves for past mistakes and accept who we are when we fall short of expectations, whether they be self-imposed or not. The above lyrics remind me that I can let go of negative thoughts and start again.
4. "Catch Fire" - "I know that I can't change the world / But maybe I'll change your mind"
Well 5SOS, I would argue that changing someone’s mind could change the world. Words have power, and even if only one person listens to you, your voice is still being heard. A difference can be made, no matter how small or large your audience.
5. "Safety Pin" - "Deleted things, I really meant, so now I'll say the things I never sent"
Do not be afraid to speak your mind! So often I’ll find myself thinking something but not sharing it, such as thinking of a compliment to comment on a friend’s post but instead continuing to scroll by. I’ve been trying to improve by actually sharing what I feel when I think it. Small acts of kindness like encouragements or compliments might not seem like much, but they can really brighten someone’s day. It is important to share your thoughts and feelings and let others know how much they mean to you. It’s not too late.
6. "Broken Home"
All of “Broken Home” is honest and raw. It is too difficult to pick a line from the song because all of the lyrics paint a picture entrenched in emotion and meaning. I do not even have to listen to the song to cry, just reading the lyrics makes me shed a tear. “Broken Home” is a must listen for anyone who wants to hear a deeper, more vulnerable side of 5 Seconds of Summer.
7. "Invisible" - "Another day, the walls are built to keep me safe / I can't escape, it's too late"
Speaking of vulnerability, I know from personal experience that it can be difficult to share thoughts and feelings. Sometimes there are experiences I hold inside of myself that I feel like talking about, but that would require being open to others, so I keep them locked inside. Because of this, along with being quiet and shy, I can feel invisible. The song “Invisible” and the above lyrics from it resonate with me, reminding me that I am not alone. Being invisible is sometimes easier than being vulnerable, but it is also painful. Ultimately, what I take from the song is to break past the walls, even when it seems impossible.
8. "Airplanes" - "I'm not gonna say that I'm sorry, gonna see the end of this story / I won't fade into darkness"
“Airplanes” is the song in which the person from “Invisible” gets past the walls they’ve built. Being yourself and following your dreams, which seem to be some of the main themes of "Sounds Good Feels Good" can be scary and cause you to doubt yourself, but “Airplanes” provides encouragement for you to be a bright light, someone who shines with confidence and acceptance.
9. "San Francisco" - "Leaves fall from the tallest trees / Even mountains crumble into the sea"
Good things do come to an end, no matter how great they may seem. Sometimes you need to know when to let go, but other times, like in “San Francisco,” you need to hold on to what’s been lost and find it again because it is too valuable to go away.
10. "Carry On" - "You know it's gonna get better, you know it's gonna get better"
Sometimes you need a reminder that life will get better. As I’ve learned, stories have a beginning, middle, and end -- but not necessarily in that order.
11. "Story of Another Us" - "This surprise ending I'm depending on / Could be the story of another us"
“Story of Another Us” is one of two bonus tracks from the Target version of "Sounds Good Feels Good." The track is a beautiful song about a relationship that could have ended up the opposite way that it did. Instead of yearning to be together, the singer and the object of his affections could actually be together. While full of emotion and -- who would have thought -- story and movie references, I have not experienced a romantic relationship, so the lyrics above remind me of my relationship with procrastination. The surprise ending I’m depending on is that I start my work sooner than the day before it is due, and the story of another us is me feeling relaxed and accomplished, instead of feeling regret and stressed out. Maybe 5SOS and I will get there someday.
In all seriousness, “Story of Another Us” does have lyrics that make you want to sing along and pretend you are in a dramatic music video because of the meaningful words.
