Meaning of 'When I was seventeen'

by Frank Sinatra

Interpretation

The lyrics of 'When I was seventeen' by Frank Sinatra are a nostalgic look back at different phases of his life, which he refers to as 'good years'.

In the first verse, Sinatra sings about his youth when he was seventeen years old. This was a time of innocence and simplicity. 'It was a good year for small-town girls and soft summer nights'. He reminisces about summer evenings and girls from small towns, indicating romantic encounters and youthful freedom at that age.

In the second verse, when he was twenty-one, his life became more complicated and exciting. 'It was a very good year for city girls who lived up the stairs with all the perfumed hairs'. Here he speaks of 'city girls', suggesting a more exciting, urban phase of life, possibly with more relationships and adventures.

In the third verse, when he was thirty-five, he had established himself and experienced luxury and wealth. 'For blue-blooded girls of independent means, we'd ride in limousines their chauffeurs would drive'. Here, he writes about women from wealthy families and riding in limousines, indicating a phase of success and luxury.

In the last verse, Sinatra reflects on his current situation and sees his life as 'vintage wine'. 'And now I think of my life as vintage wine from fine old kegs, from the brim to the drapes'. This is a metaphor for aging and maturity, and how he sees his life as a series of 'good years', full of rich experiences and memories.