Released: 2011
At its core, “Wetsuit” by The Vaccines is a vibrant anthem to the joys and trials of youth, imbued with a nostalgic yearning for a simpler time. The song beckons listeners to embrace their youth, with all its fervor and flaws, before the inexorable march of time renders us unable to enjoys its pleasures. It’s a rallying cry against the pressures of adulthood, wrapped in the metaphorical imperative to ‘put a wetsuit on,’ symbolizing a plunge back into the carefree and bold spirit of our younger days.
The song opens with a contemplation on the inevitability of aging and the desire to remain youthful in spirit, despite the physical toll of time. “If at some point, we all succumb / For goodness sake, let us be young,” captures this sentiment perfectly, highlighting a universal struggle against the relentless progression towards adulthood and the societal responsibilities that come with it. The “cool, cool breeze and dirty knees” evoke memories of a carefree childhood, a time when getting dirty was part of the day’s adventure, not something to be avoided. This verse isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a lament for the loss of simplicity, the speed at which we’re forced to grow up, and a plea to “slow it down, go easy on me.”
The chorus, “Put a wetsuit on, come on, come on / Grow your hair out long, come on, come on,” is a call to action, urging listeners to embrace the essence of youth – spontaneity, rebellion, and the freedom to experiment. Growing your hair long, wearing a T-shirt, and putting on a wetsuit—these are symbols of a nonconformist lifestyle, reminiscent of the carefree days when such choices didn’t bear the weight of judgment or consequence. The line “Do me wrong, do me wrong, do me wrong” might be interpreted as an invitation to make mistakes, to learn from them rather than avoiding the experiences that lead to growth and self-discovery.
In the later verses, the song delves deeper into the struggles of maintaining one’s identity among the pressures of societal norms and the exhaustion that comes from trying to keep up. “You’re all whacked out from lack of sleep / You blame it on the friends you keep” touches on the influence of peer pressure and the challenge of staying true to oneself. The desire to do things “differently” and “independently” reflects a common yearning for autonomy and the difficult realization that adulthood often means compromising parts of our idealistic youthful ambitions.
The song concludes by questioning the nature of purity and the search for it, “Does holy water make you pure? / Submerged, your vision’s just obscured.” This line suggests that the pursuit of purity or perfection is a flawed quest; it’s not about being unblemished but about embracing the complexity of our experiences. The repeated insistence on wearing a wetsuit, growing hair long, and donning a T-shirt is a metaphor for donning one’s true self, unabashedly and proudly. It’s an encouragement to dive into life, despite its messiness and uncertainties.
“Wetsuit” by The Vaccines is more than just a song about nostalgia; it’s a nuanced exploration of the desire to hold onto youth, the pressures of conformity, and the courage to embrace individuality. It’s an anthem that resonates with anyone who’s ever felt the sting of growing up too fast, the weight of expectations, and the sweet resolve to live true to oneself, come what may.
