Not including Maroon 5's Memories since I think it's a little more general instead of directly storytelling, its category is arguably more like Vitamin C's Graduation and Green Day's Time of Our Lives.

None

I voted Boys Of Summer (The Ataris cover version preferably), but yeah I don’t love any of these songs. Has to a better option though I can’t think of anything off the top of my head.

+1

Depends how much you stretch the overly specific subgenre. I thought of 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins and Thirteen by Big Star since making this thread although I would say the ones in the OP are more directly a "story" by the singer in the present. Songs like Fifteen by Taylor Swift and Airplanes by BOB are as if they're glad they escaped that place. Songs that are too directly about nostalgia like 1985 by Bowling for Soup, Heart Songs by Weezer or Kodacrime by Paul Simon also don't count. Wet Dreamz by J Cole could be on the list but wasn't a single.

Edit - I guess Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison counts

Of the songs in the poll, definitely "Paradise by the Dashboard Light." One of my Top 10 songs ever. And due to its theatrical nature, it can be themed and performed with differences that will probably keep it fresh for any generation.

Avril's "Here's to Never Growing Up" is a good pick, I think. (Or is this the exact opposite of a "growing up" song/story? )


"Shizuka na Hibi no Kaidan o/Climbing the Stairs of Quite Days" (Battle Royale credits song) by Dragon Ash



Can't really think of any other songs that fit the growing up category, but I'll just some that always trigger the nostalgia. (For me.)

"Kiseki/Miracle" by GReeeeN

"Science Fiction/Double Picture"

"Edema Ruh" by Nightwish.

Of those options, def. Summer of '69'.
Paradise and Boys of Summer are great too.