[Verse 1]
You've been a juvenile
With a dolphin smile
With no elbow room
With your body in bloom
You've had your little backyard
Protected by big walls
You didn't dare look over
Cause you've been too small
[Hook]
Now you're finally sixteen
And you're feeling old
But they won't believe
That you've got a soul
Cause you're only sixteen
And you're feeling real
But you can't seem to cop a feel
No whoa oh no
[Verse 2]
Why do they have to force us
Through this metamorphose?
Little bu*terfly
No matter how you try
You'll be segregated
You're gonna be closed off
You're callow and you're green
Cause you're caught between
[Hook]
You're only sixteen
Try to cross the line
But your little wings are intertwined
You're only sixteen
And you're such a tease
And there's nothing you do
That can really please
No whoa oh no
[Sample]
(these children, they're not really bad, most of them
Just products of rough neighborhoods and bad housing situations)
[Verse 3]
You know you can forsake it
So sit back and take it
You see you're not just ripe
So don't try and fight
[Hook]
That you're only sixteen
You wanna catch a peek
But they look at you
Like you're such a freak
Well, you're only sixteen
With a lot to say
But they, they won't give you
The time of day
Whoa oh no
[Outro]
You're only sixteen (you're only sixteen)
You're only sixteen (you're only sixteen)
Hey you're just sixteen (you're only sixteen)
You're just sixteen (you're only sixteen)
You poor little thing