Anson Seabra is an American singer and songwriter who became known for multiple viral hits such as “Robin Hood,” “That’s Us,” and “Welcome to Wonderland.”
His song “Peter Pan Was Right” explores the age-old desire for eternal youth and the reluctance to grow up.
Through poignant lyrics, Anson reveals the complex emotions associated with leaving behind the carefree days of childhood and entering the often tumultuous world of adulthood.
In this analysis, we will break down the lyrics of the song to uncover its underlying themes and messages.
Table of Contents
“Peter Pan Was Right” Lyrics Meaning
[Chorus]
I guess Peter Pan was right
Growing up’s a waste of time
So I think I’ll fly away
Set a course for brighter days
Find the second star, I’m soaring
Then straight on to the morning
I know that I’ll be fine
‘Cause I know Peter Pan was right
The opening lines of the song introduces the iconic character “Peter Pan,” a famous character from Disneyland’s fairy tales. Peter Pan is known for his eternal youth and perpetual childhood adventures as the leader of the Lost Boys on the mythical island of Neverland.
When the singer croons, “I guess Peter Pan was right/Growing up’s a waste of time,” he’s backing Peter Pan’s choice to resist growing up. The singer harbors a pessimistic perspective on adulthood, viewing it as “a waste of time.” What does that mean? Well, adult life often involves pursuing things like love, career, and financial success, which may not always lead to genuine happiness.
Hence, when the singer belts out, “So I think I’ll fly away/Set a course for brighter days,” he’s expressing a desire to escape the mundane responsibilities of adulthood. He longs to break free, mirroring Peter Pan’s pursuit of a carefree and adventurous life.
The lyric “Find the second star, I’m soaring” likely alludes to Peter Pan’s Neverland. This mystical island grants its inhabitants the choice to stop aging, symbolizing eternal childhood, immortality, and a retreat from reality.
When the singer says, “I know that I’ll be fine/’Cause I know Peter Pan was right,” he’s confidently saying no to societal expectations. He thinks that choosing a carefree life, just like Peter Pan’s always-happy vibe, will keep him happy and well. In short, the singer believes in Peter Pan’s wisdom and wants to live as happily as he does.
[Verse 1]
Just a lost boy in a small town
I’m the same kid but I’m grown now
Try to make it out but I don’t know how
Wish that I was young, what have I become?
Now it’s late night and I’m at home
So I make friends with my shadow
And I play him all my sad, sad songs
And we don’t talk but he sings alone like
In the first verse, the singer reminisces about his innocent days back in his small hometown. When he says, “Just a lost boy in a small town/I’m the same kid but I’m grown now,” he’s reflecting on how he’s grown up but still holds onto the same dreams and values he had as a child.
However, navigating the complexities of adulthood leaves him feeling lost and like he’s becoming someone he doesn’t recognize. He wonders, “Try to make it out but I don’t know how/Wish that I was young, what have I become?”
The singer finds himself without reliable support, a common feeling in the adult world where self-reliance is often expected, leading to a sense of loneliness. This loneliness is evident in the lyrics, “Now it’s late night and I’m at home/So I make friends with my shadow.”
He feels so alone and helpless that he turns to his own shadow for companionship. Feeling misunderstood by others, he turns to music as his only solace. He sings, “And I play him all my sad, sad songs/And we don’t talk but he sings alone like.” It’s a poignant portrayal of his isolation, finding solace in the music that expresses his sorrow when words fail to convey his emotions.
[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Fairytales are not the truth
What am I supposed to do? (Mm-mm, mm)
In the pre-chorus, the singer reflects on the fairytales he learned as a child, realizing they don’t quite capture the intricacies of adult life.
While fairytales often depict magical realms where self-belief leads to happily ever afters, adulthood brings a different story – a continuous flow of challenges that pile up one after the other.
This contrast between the childhood idea of overcoming obstacles and the ongoing complexities of adult life leaves the singer feeling lost and powerless. He conveys this sense of disillusionment by singing, “Fairytales are not the truth/What am I supposed to do? (Mm-mm, mm).”
It’s a raw expression of grappling with the gap between childhood expectations and the harsh reality of the adult world.
[Bridge]
And I don’t care if I never land
‘Cause the distant sky’s always better than
My life right now and the place I am
So for one last time, I guess Peter Pan
In the bridge, the singer passionately expresses a desire to escape adult responsibilities and embrace a carefree life. He’s so desperate for freedom and happiness that he’s willing to risk not finding his place in the adult world.
He sings, “And I don’t care if I never land/’Cause the distant sky’s always better than/My life right now and the place I am.” These lyrics reveal the singer’s frustration with his current situation.
“Never land” directly refers to Peter Pan’s mythical home, where he never touches down. It’s a symbol of ultimate freedom—flying without being tied to a specific place or societal expectations. Adults often seek their own place, whether it’s a career, a high-ranking job, or a grand home.
By saying he doesn’t care if he never lands, the singer rejects the pursuit of a place in the adult world, as long as he can follow Peter Pan’s path.
However, the verse “So for one last time, I guess Peter Pan” seems incomplete. Is Peter Pan right or wrong? The singer deliberately leaves this question open for the audience to ponder.
Overall Message
Anson Seabra’s “Peter Pan Was Right” expresses frustration about growing up and the longing for a carefree life, akin to Peter Pan. The song’s lyrics capture the gap between innocent childhood and the hardships we face in adulthood.
While I’m not certain if Seabra draws from personal struggles as a young artist, the notion of living like Peter Pan resonates with me and likely with many others.
The fact that “Peter Pan” remains so popular shows that people universally understand how tough the adult world can be and how our efforts to succeed as grown-ups can often feel pointless.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.