Sweet 17 [The Babys featuring Ricky Phillips]

Sweet 17
Written by Tony Brock, John Waite, Wally Stocker
Lead Vocals by John Waite

Sixteen going on seventeen
But she thinks that she's twenty-one
Doing things she ain't done before
Got her hands on a loaded gun
Talking 'bout
Sweet seventeen
Got a mouthful of sticky stuff
Blowing bubbles in the parking lot
She's in love with a film star
So she gives it everything she's got
Her daddy tells her she's crazy
And her momma says
Please slow down
See her out on the dance floor
She's gonna wind up in the lost and found
I'm talking about

(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen
(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen

I wouldn't say she's easy
But she's the kinda girl that won't say no
She's always getting into trouble
Though she's only got a year to go
She's got a record with the local sheriff
And a reputation coast to coast

(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen
(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen

Sixteen going on seventeen
And she acts like she's twenty-one
Counting days till she's eighteen
She's rated expert
She's having fun
I'm talking 'bout

(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen
(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen
(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
You know what I mean
(Fifteen sixteen seventeen)
Sweet seventeen

Interpretation

She's turning seventeen but acts like she's older. She's still a teenager chewing bubble gum and swooning over a movie star, but she's also going to parties and acting crazy. She may not be easy, but she's going to end up leaving with a guy. Her parents are concerned. With one year left in school, she already has a police record and a reputation. In gaming terms "she's rated expert" and having fun.